I agree with you....CFI job is critical in moving to the next step - I suspect a lot of careers end at the CFI level for lack of ME time. I know my CFI for PPL didn't have any ME time and had been a CFI for 6 years...Thats not a good position to be in...

If you're going to go thru ATP - pay in cash for as much of the program as you can. I've even considered doing a salary CFI job after BEING A CFI AT ATP just to pay off the loan - if any - I'll have to take...I don't mind the wait to get to a regional and there are plenty of good salary CFI jobs in California and Arizona teaching Asians how to fly and speak English...

If you're flexible you can reach your goals a lot sooner than someone that is not willing to be away from family / friends...

Don't rule out flying a turboprop. As long as its 121 PIC time you're good for the next step...

-LAFF

 

Hey LAFF, have you learned anything interesting about the self-paced ACPP program at ATP? It's very difficult to get any good information because they are so focused on the 90-day program.

One of the instructors who staffs their 800-number told me that she flew some of her cross-country segments with a student who was doing the self-paced program, and finished in four months, only slightly longer than the 90-day program.

Bascially, I am planning to train on a full-time basis, but want to retain the flexibility to enjoy a weekend now and then. Another instructor told me that the reason they encourage people to do the 90-day program is, students often want to take a couple days off, and then two days become four days, then a week, and then it has been two weeks since they have done any flying, and they become less likely to finish the program. But joining one program versus another doesn't give you discipline... either you have the discipline to get it done or you don't. Assuming I have the focus and discipline, but just want to have a little flexibility, I'm trying to find out if will still work.

 

I've met a few self-paced ATP grads and they didn't like the way they were treated. ATPs priority is the 90 day student. They(ATP) likes to get you in and get you out...When they (ATP ) doesn't have you on a schedule they end up having to juggle / drop you to get the 90 day guys in...

Do the 90 day program if you can.

-LAFF

 

When it comes to the 90 day guys, ATP is supposed to have instructors that just work on 90 day guys, and instructors that take care of 10 month and ad on programs. At least that is how it was when I was there. But you have to remeber that it is the intructors who run the locations. Jim K. and the other head guys at ATP are not there looking over their shoulders to make sure everything is done right. The instructors age ranges anywhere from 18-45 year old instructors. Most of them being in the lower age bracket. The responsibility of getting things accomplished is not the job of the guys at the ATP headquarters. It is the job of the flight instructor at the given location to get everything done. The guys in headquarters schedule it, I took care of it. I was an instructor at ATP for 18 months. I think that some of the young flight instructors they have, shouldn't be there, or they should be at the less busy locations. I never had any problem with any student getting the job done and in the right amount of time. That doesn't count weather and mx issues. I had no control of that. I think with a college degree and my military background helped with that. I think that some of these instructors just can't multi task. They come from being a student, to being incharge. Especially if they came straight out of high school. Now that is not to say that some can take care of themselves and get the job done. And when dealing with a company like ATP, they don't want any room for error. So I can see where people like vs38viking got screwed. Most of the problem was probably within his instructors control. And I feel bad for guys like him who had that type of experience. But wait until they get to the airlines. I know from my personal military flying that the schedule is nothing like airlines. Airlines will mess with your schedule worse than ATP ever could, especially if that airline is understaffed. But I enjoy flying and I don't let them get to me. Just my 2 cents on this topic.

Fly Safe

 

Thanks for your two cents... how would you sum up your experience in the form of a recommendation to someone trying to decide between the 90-day accelerated and self-paced programs?

 

I personally did the 90 day program in ATL. I got my private at a flight school near my house and then moved on. Self Paced is good for people who want to contiue to work full time or are still going to school. I had already finished college and was changing my career so I wanted to get going asap. I finished in 88 days, and that counts about 10-12 days off. During the 90 day program, you will be at the airport almost everyday doing something. Alot of people are critical of this program because of the time frame. The 10 month program is no different, we used the same syllabus, but the students were required to be at ATP at least 10 days per month. You would be supprised how much knowledge you accumulate when you don't do anything but aviation for 90 days straight. Students also get less rusty because they stay more current than 10 month. But, you can enroll for the 10 month, and do it at a 90 day pace. We had some students at my location do that. But the best program for me was the 90 day, and it works.

 

Their track record has to be worth something! I would not say they are the end all be all of flight schools but they get guys hired. I have spoken with several ACPP grads and they said that they would do it again tommorrow if they had to do it all over again.

 

Their price went up by 5K

-LAFF

 

I'm considering their CFI program....(the cfi/cfii/mei) the 2 weeks course...

Your opinions?
Im currently 380/120
So, dont need ALOT of hrs to make minimums...
If anyone hasnt noticed my post, wanna get in the regionals bad...
even considered sending in apps at tsa with lowered minimums...

so, anyone with experience at ATP and their CFI program, plz help me out if this is a good idea...
so far their price is the cheapest as to what I have compared it to at local
FBO's

 

CFI is not just window dressing. When I get mine I am going to do it for pilot skill as well as time building. Did you give up on college? Majors require a college degree.