flight training delimma
10-07-2007 | 03:23 AM
#1
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From: Chair Flying
flight training delimma
I am hopping to hear any advice about my current situation.
I started my private pilot training on 1/7/07. I completed the training and got my license in April. After getting my license my sites were set on going on to ATP (PHX) for the 90 day Airline Career training program. I have heard pros and cons about the school and I seem to be all for going despite the price. Local FBO prices here in HNL run the same as ATP. Many pilots also highly recommended that I finish my BA degree before moving from HNL to PHX in pursuit of my goal to become a professional pilot. I will not be graduating unitl December of 2008 at which point, I will be flying once every 90 days until then. Im wondering if I should just stay here in HNL and work on my ratings while I get my BA degree. I also just got a great job at a local FBO as a commercial fueler. This job is great given the fact there is alot of down time during my 8 hour shift which allows for study time. This job is important to me for health insurance reasons.
It is now becoming evident to me that I just wanted to go to ATP becuase I was sold on the idea that they can get me through traning quickly and safley and there connections with jobs at the regional level are excellent.
What would you guys do? Any advice from experienced and unexperienced pilots are greatly appreciated. Thankyou.
Sincerly, J.P.
I started my private pilot training on 1/7/07. I completed the training and got my license in April. After getting my license my sites were set on going on to ATP (PHX) for the 90 day Airline Career training program. I have heard pros and cons about the school and I seem to be all for going despite the price. Local FBO prices here in HNL run the same as ATP. Many pilots also highly recommended that I finish my BA degree before moving from HNL to PHX in pursuit of my goal to become a professional pilot. I will not be graduating unitl December of 2008 at which point, I will be flying once every 90 days until then. Im wondering if I should just stay here in HNL and work on my ratings while I get my BA degree. I also just got a great job at a local FBO as a commercial fueler. This job is great given the fact there is alot of down time during my 8 hour shift which allows for study time. This job is important to me for health insurance reasons.
It is now becoming evident to me that I just wanted to go to ATP becuase I was sold on the idea that they can get me through traning quickly and safley and there connections with jobs at the regional level are excellent.
What would you guys do? Any advice from experienced and unexperienced pilots are greatly appreciated. Thankyou.
Sincerly, J.P.
10-07-2007 | 07:05 AM
#2
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From: propjob teacher
Well, I am/was sort of in your same situation. I did ATP this summer so i could come back to my university, instruct for them, and graduate in May, and off to the regionals. Instructing thing is kinda not going at all. But i'm STUCK here because of school, not flying. My advice would be to see if you can finish an online degree ( not one those stupid online ones, one that actually has resident students and an actual campus with sports teams... yada yada... but they offer a "distance Learning program" aka online classes)
****Be sure you can graduate without ever stepping foot on campu******* (otherwise there might be classes you HAVE to take ON campus, resulting in your attendance for a semester)
then go to ATP... turn around and instruct for em, off to the regionals in 5-6 months. <-- from starting the ACPP
My problem is that my last 2 classes for my major that i NEED... ONLY offered spring semester ON CAMPUS, once those are finished i still wont graduate, but i'll be enrolled through online classes (english, math, philosophy) during the summer while flying for a regional... sounds gravy, but i'm STUCK ON CAMPUS NOT FLYING!!!
****Be sure you can graduate without ever stepping foot on campu******* (otherwise there might be classes you HAVE to take ON campus, resulting in your attendance for a semester)
then go to ATP... turn around and instruct for em, off to the regionals in 5-6 months. <-- from starting the ACPP
My problem is that my last 2 classes for my major that i NEED... ONLY offered spring semester ON CAMPUS, once those are finished i still wont graduate, but i'll be enrolled through online classes (english, math, philosophy) during the summer while flying for a regional... sounds gravy, but i'm STUCK ON CAMPUS NOT FLYING!!!
10-07-2007 | 08:01 AM
#3
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Spartan
I am hopping to hear any advice about my current situation.
I started my private pilot training on 1/7/07. I completed the training and got my license in April. After getting my license my sites were set on going on to ATP (PHX) for the 90 day Airline Career training program. I have heard pros and cons about the school and I seem to be all for going despite the price. Local FBO prices here in HNL run the same as ATP. Many pilots also highly recommended that I finish my BA degree before moving from HNL to PHX in pursuit of my goal to become a professional pilot. I will not be graduating unitl December of 2008 at which point, I will be flying once every 90 days until then. Im wondering if I should just stay here in HNL and work on my ratings while I get my BA degree. I also just got a great job at a local FBO as a commercial fueler. This job is great given the fact there is alot of down time during my 8 hour shift which allows for study time. This job is important to me for health insurance reasons.
It is now becoming evident to me that I just wanted to go to ATP becuase I was sold on the idea that they can get me through traning quickly and safley and there connections with jobs at the regional level are excellent.
What would you guys do? Any advice from experienced and unexperienced pilots are greatly appreciated. Thankyou.
Sincerly, J.P.
I started my private pilot training on 1/7/07. I completed the training and got my license in April. After getting my license my sites were set on going on to ATP (PHX) for the 90 day Airline Career training program. I have heard pros and cons about the school and I seem to be all for going despite the price. Local FBO prices here in HNL run the same as ATP. Many pilots also highly recommended that I finish my BA degree before moving from HNL to PHX in pursuit of my goal to become a professional pilot. I will not be graduating unitl December of 2008 at which point, I will be flying once every 90 days until then. Im wondering if I should just stay here in HNL and work on my ratings while I get my BA degree. I also just got a great job at a local FBO as a commercial fueler. This job is great given the fact there is alot of down time during my 8 hour shift which allows for study time. This job is important to me for health insurance reasons.
It is now becoming evident to me that I just wanted to go to ATP becuase I was sold on the idea that they can get me through traning quickly and safley and there connections with jobs at the regional level are excellent.
What would you guys do? Any advice from experienced and unexperienced pilots are greatly appreciated. Thankyou.
Sincerly, J.P.
You can finish in about the same time frame as ATP(I did even though it was back in '94). Professional CFI's, not time builders and the price is right. Don't go to 'online' college. Go to a real college (frats, girls, sports)and instruct on the side. You'll be working the rest of your life. Have fun before you start inheriting real responsibilities!!!
10-07-2007 | 01:02 PM
#4
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From: CRJ2, ATR, CRJ7, E145, 737
Set yourself up for success in the future. Get your BA...It's not a systemwide requirement now, and may not be for a while..but you are heavily favored WITH IT..than without.
I've heard good and bad about ATP..i personally didn't go there..i was a DCA schlub, but i have heard that ATP is DEAD on with their estimates..and they get you done quickly. With that being said don't be in too much of a rush, that you learn the bare minimum to pass your checkride. The PTS does not contain nearly everything you need to know before beginning an airline career. Take your time, enjoy your current freedom, enjoy college and have fun flying!
Happy skies my friend, good luck.
P.S. NETWORK yourself at that FBO..you can get an "in" in a corporate job if you do a good enough job of meeting and being friendly.
P.P.S...nice avatar..pats all the way
I've heard good and bad about ATP..i personally didn't go there..i was a DCA schlub, but i have heard that ATP is DEAD on with their estimates..and they get you done quickly. With that being said don't be in too much of a rush, that you learn the bare minimum to pass your checkride. The PTS does not contain nearly everything you need to know before beginning an airline career. Take your time, enjoy your current freedom, enjoy college and have fun flying!
Happy skies my friend, good luck.
P.S. NETWORK yourself at that FBO..you can get an "in" in a corporate job if you do a good enough job of meeting and being friendly.
P.P.S...nice avatar..pats all the way
10-08-2007 | 07:13 PM
#5
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From: Lovin' life at .4 (ish) mach
What are you getting your BS in? I'll be finished with my Associates in December, for aviation but I'm transfering to a 4 year (Colorado State, or Texas A&M) for Wildlife biology(it's what my other career interst is). I'm basicaly starting over, but it will be worth it incase I ever get furloughed and have nothing to fall back on.
Stay in school, get it done, have fun, instruct on the side, and then go from there. That's what I'm doing.
Stay in school, get it done, have fun, instruct on the side, and then go from there. That's what I'm doing.
10-09-2007 | 12:49 PM
#6
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From: Chair Flying
What are you getting your BS in? I'll be finished with my Associates in December, for aviation but I'm transfering to a 4 year (Colorado State, or Texas A&M) for Wildlife biology(it's what my other career interst is). I'm basicaly starting over, but it will be worth it incase I ever get furloughed and have nothing to fall back on.
Stay in school, get it done, have fun, instruct on the side, and then go from there. That's what I'm doing.
Stay in school, get it done, have fun, instruct on the side, and then go from there. That's what I'm doing.
10-24-2007 | 12:20 PM
#7
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From: 747 FO
Great Advice. Finish school. In the next year you will be able to do more research into different flight schools and make a more informed choice. There are a ton of places to get your ratings, make sure you are not paying too much for a name brand or for promises of success. You'll get hired no matter where you train... but maybe not if you don't have that 4 year degree.
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