what im still wondering is... have u even flown an airplane once? and why cant you get your medical?

Yes. I have flown an airplane...a number of times.

My medical was deferred to FAA/OK b/c I have the one bad check conviction, but I had 3 other charges on 3 other separate occasions that were leveled against me, but all charges were dropped by the SA office.

I am innocent of all charges that were bought against me. I wasn't found not guilty. That's an indication that there was a strong possiblity that I did commit a crime when in fact, I didn't. So, since those appear on the NCIC report and it's noted as NOLLE PROS...meaning no prosecution...this has to be reviewed by the proper authorities.

It's the process that must be followed. I'm ok with that. I have a clear conscience about the whole thing and in the end...that's what matters most.


atp

Potential drawbacks to FBO route
 

As with anything, buyer beware. . .

Possibility of taking $35,000 to get the PPSEL.
8-10 CFIs to get the first rating.
Aircraft constantly down for maintenance.
Locally bad weather = no flying, instead of depart and go elsewhere.
Being trained to understand the material, not just regurgitating it (not necessarily a drawback).
Training beyond the absolute minimums (also not necessarily a drawback). Non-Santa Claus examiners.
Having to compete with other students for an airplane.
Maintenance not under strict controls.
Finding a multi, any multi that you are willing to get into (how many actual engine failures do you need during training anyways?).
Schools that go bankrupt after you've put down a large deposit.
"Just one more flight" that lasts for weeks. . .
CFIs leaving wholesale without ready replacements.
Desire to do flights outside of strict training curriculum.
The nasty $200 hamburger.
Your regular CFI gets sick and the substitute does things so differently that you are set back a week or two in training.

I'd be an major airline captain now if I'd done the ATP route when the choice first came up. . . Or, more likely, I'd be a corporate captain after being furloughed from the second airline and be even more cynical than I am now.

One thing for ATP, it's a known quantity, good and bad.

I can personally say my experience with small flight schools was not on par with the above post. Not even one or two points of it.

I've heard of all these things happening at various "large" academies, including ATP. To be fair, however, the CFI issues are happening everywhere at the moment.

As for the hamburger... I damn well better have an hour to get my burger at the FBO before having to fly back on my x-countries. Seriously, if you have to do the flight, you deserve the lousy hamburger. ;)

Nor mine. Struggles and problems are concurrent with existence, and there is no easy way to avoid them. But I patronized ATP for my multiengine, no complaint. I obtained checkouts from a number of FBOs in order to use airplanes, no complaints. The only thing I ever thought was out of line was when the treasurer of a flying club I was in lost all my deposits out of carelessness. When I reported it as I had proof I had paid they fired him, and my account was corrected. So bad things can happen, but it's the exception, not the rule. A very high percentage of the citizens of the world are honest and well-meaning.

Cubdriver:

I concur. I liked ATP for their multi-engine time, their XC flying experience and the amount of time it take for me to get my licenses and ratings. Again, given my situation, I believe having 700 to 1000 TT would be good for me. It'll show consistency and commitment.


atp