Opinions on ATP Flight School?
 

I just got my private pilot license and am trying to figure out which flight school to attend, with the goal of flying for the airlines.

I am mainly looking at ATP vs. American Flyers.
I have heard a lot of negative feedback on ATP, but it still seems like the most popular flight school out there.

Does anyone have any experience with either flight school?

Check our accelerated flight school podacst, he doesn't say it but he went to ATP and did not have good things to say.

In my opinion of the school is that they are a pilot farm, they just reach u what's required and don't care if your falling behind. They have time tables to keep to and force you to take checkride regardless of you ability. Also the price is not that competitive to other options.

If you self study well then it is a good option, if you think you will need some more help then I would look at other options.

Don't know anything about American flyers though.

I paid a visit to ATP back in 2015. Impressed with the amount of airplanes, instructors, and the sims were very nice. It’s a pilot mill for mostly over seas pilots that are contracted to train here then give x amount of years of service to that airline. I’d say 70% if the student body there is international students. If you have the money $90k-$100k and getting done quickly is what your aiming for, sure this place would be “good”. The quality of instruction might not be as good as your local fbo and you will feel rushed to take your check rides.

Any FBO will get you the ratings you need for half the cost and in some cases the same amount of time.


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The Yelp reviews on ATP are terrible. Just saying.

Depends on the location. From my understanding only a few locations are primarily international students.

Do a search and you'll find lots of information on here about ATP. The Aviation Mentorship group on Facebook too.


Pros:

- financing
- speed (6-8 months)
- mostly good equipment (g1000)
- planes are well maintained


Cons:

- they will ram you through even if you aren't ready as mentioned above. This causes higher than normal checkride failures

- they are soulless greedy bastards

- they only give you a paper thin level of knowledge, just enough to pass. You'll feel inadequate when you meet pilots from 141 schools

I agree it has a lot to do with locations. I go to ATP. Out of 60 or so kids at my locations only 1 is Foreign so take that for what it’s worth.

It has its pros and cons, a lot of the time it seems to be what you make it.


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ATP can fast track your application the Marvin Renslow failed check ride club

I, myself, went from career salvageable(2 failed check rides) to career hosed(4 failed check rides) in just over a week.

Horrible customer service. They try to bully their instructors into signing students off for checkrides. There’s a saying amongst ATP alumni: “The only thing ATP cares about less than their students is their instructors.” That being said, if you’re motivated and can learn with minimal help then ATP provides the aircraft in a structured course to get you where you want to be very quickly. It will be painful though, at times.

Yep, I had 2, and I didn't get my CFI with them because I didn't want to risk a 3rd. When I was done with my ComSE I went straight to aerial survey.