Researched ATP and Need a Second Opinion
 

Mornin',

Long time lurker, first time poster.
I am researching the quickest way to the airlines and it seems to be ATP. Currently I have my PPL (not current) and have 72.1 hours. I am seeing a lot of mixed reviews on ATP and am pretty dead-set on going there. However, I have some finer details I would like a second opinion on.

I currently have no debt and have finished my bachelor's degree. I live in the Chicago suburbs and approximately an hour commute from ATP's West Chicago (DuPage Airport) campus. My question is if it is worth taking out more money on a loan to attend a school where flight conditions are more friendly such as Dallas, Florida, or Arizona.

I see a lot of people trying to talk people out of going to ATP and have done my research and decided it is my best option, so please if you are just going to trash talk ATP, save your breath.

I'd recommend against taking a loan out for flight training- remaining debt free is awesome.

Question, what made you decide that ATP is the best option for you?

I've decided it's the best for me because I can get my ratings quickly there and I have been unable to secure outside financing for flying at an FBO. I do not have the funds to just pay for flight training at an FBO.

I thought long and hard about attending ATP. If I had to do it all over again i probably would have done it. Especially if I was in your shoes and had my PPL (Reduces the cost significantly) many people will tell you not to take out a loan but IMHO, don't worry about that. I have multiple friends who went to law school or pharmacy school, each of them have well over 150K in student loans. You might also look into LIFT Academy in Indianapolis.

You'll probably be ok in Chicago if you start now. Weather doesn't start getting bad for another few months, and you're working on IRA anyway.

As far as ATP, yes they will get you through quickly, but they will also force you to take checkrides that you aren't ready for. Their marketing is great, about half of their instructors are great, but the business end of people are snakes.

Have you considered getting a job, saving up the money, and then blasting through the training?

Just be careful if you go to ATP, don't let them force you to do something youre not ready for!

American Airlines Cadet Academy
JetBlue Academy
Republic Academy

All of the above help finance if you are long for financing. Rates are fairly high but that's what the market is providing right now

Im in flight training and would discourage ATP. This is anecdotal from previous ATP students but they have a spaghetti against the wall approach to instruction and really don't care if you pass or not. If you miss 1 or 2 flights they kick you out and keep all the money. From personal experience most of the CFI's from ATP I see in my region lack a depth of knowledge / true understanding I see from other instructors.

Look for a solid 141 program with a dedicated DPE or sign off authority. There is usually a few schools around every major airport with a retired military or retired airline pilot as the chief. If you're lucky enough to get one of these guys as your instructor, they can help you get ahead knowledge wise. If you think about it flight training is less than 300 hours through CFI/II. For every hour of flight expect 5 to 8 hours of ground study on your own. Find someone that can help you with basic sick and rudder skills but also with the academics.

If you can afford to move to Arizona or Florida and hit it full time that would accelerate timelines.

As people have mentioned nothing wrong with going at it part time. It might take you 6 months to 12 months longer but no debt and your also working up a cash cushion for you're first 2 years which you'll probably need. Also part time will give you the time to decide if this is a hobby or a career.

Good luck

That's not realistic for most people.

Why not? OP has a degree, it's possible to get a decently paying job

Most people cannot save $70-80k in a short period of time. And you would be losing money long term if you waited that long to save up because it would delay your entry into the workforce thus meaning less months until retirement on the back end.