FlyingintheskyV

I would agree with USMC.

Find yourself a reliable dedicated instructor. You want to find an instructor before a pilot. Also think long term in regards to your training and the opportunities on the other side when finished. Depending on the route and goal of obtaining your license I would recommend a tight networked flight school like CFI Bootcamp. https://www.cfibootcamp.com/flight-instructor-training

Darton01

I’m wondering about a school here in Michigan, DCT Aviation. I’ve looked into ATP, but don’t understand how you can go through the seven month program and not work to pay bills, food, gas, etc. on the side.

IamEssential

You can't, it is meant for people who can do it full time. Even at that it is a rip off (they charge a huge premium for accelerated instruction) and you are risking yourself to multiple training failures (by design ATP will send you to your checkrides before you are ready) which means the time saved to get to the Regionals will be wasted because you won't be able to get the the Majors. If your case you want to look at a local airport that offers flight training and take it more slowly and at your own pace. Like 2 years or so to get all your ratings through CFI.

Macchi30

a fellow instructor at my school went to ATP, he has 4 checkride failures on his record. Said the exact same thing, he didn't feel ready for checkride but they pushed him into it

Darton01

Thanks for the advice, it is really what I’ve been searching for. I’m 53 and not real concerned with getting to the majors. If the opportunity is there, great, but I won’t cry if it doesn’t because I know my time frame is small. The big concern I have is learning everything correctly and having time to absorb it all.

DashAviator

Here's a couple of other suggestions:

(1) If you are near a big city, check out the local flying clubs. A couple of the clubs I've been involved with have had really experienced instructors and well-maintained aircraft. Chances are, your instructor may have a full-time job (my instrument instructor was an engineer), so keep in mind you may only be able to fly 2-3 times a week. This is fine.

(2) Phone or E-mail some of the local Designated Pilot Examiners to see if they can recommend an instructor. They will have a good feel for who is providing quality training and who is merely checking the boxes. To repeat what other people have said, YOUR INSTRUCTOR IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN YOUR TRAINING. Good maintenance would be a high priority as well.

(3) Your Private certificate and instrument rating are the most important. Get those done. Then, if you want to go through an accelerated program, you can continue to work with the local instructors, or find another school to finish up. My local airport didn't have a multiengine airplane for training, so I had to go out of town for a few weeks to get my Commercial multi, MEI, and multiengine ATP.

The regional airline where I work has hired pilots as old as 62. Good luck!