Longbow64

I was schedule for July 7th at RIC location, but I also had to pay the new price of 59995. I called today, and changed my location to JAX for June 23rd, so now I'll pay 54995. I know it's still a lot of money, but atleast I saved 5000 dollars.

LeoSV

lol.. that's cool. great time to get into flying.

freezingflyboy

Do i detect a hint of sarcasm?

I guess I gotta ask why you guys still think that paying a ridiculous premium at a place like ATP in order to go from 0 to hero in 90 days is a good investment. I'm sure you guys have been following the industry. What do you expect to be waiting for you when you finish? Hate to throw out the speed breaks but theres a big black cloud on the horizon for the industry in 2008. I know places like Mesa, Colgan and GoJets are still hiring but you have to realize that with movement slowing significantly at the majors and a number of airlines shutting down completely (meaning lots of very qualified pilots on the streets and looking for jobs) you may spend significantly longer at that crummy regional than you had originally planned. Something to think about about when you're facing a large loan repayment and the miserable pay you're gonna find at those places.

LeoSV

Worse, you may spend more time than you can handle as a CFI, making way less than a 2nd year regional FO. Try paying Miss Sallie Mae back with that kind of income. I hope you aren't financing the entire amount.

Cubdriver

It doesn't make sense in the current hiring market to get head over heels in debt just to get to a $25k regional. It hardly even makes sense during a boom period. I really think people should consider slower paced, economical flight training programs during slack times. One could hardly know if they really like flying enough to do it all day long with only 6 months of experience in it.

Clue32

Why so much negativity? When is a good time to get into the industry? Why do people continuously focus on first year salaries? If someone wants to be a professional pilot because they love flying, then do it. Yes it is expensive. Yes there are less expensive ways to get your ratings then AllATP's. Yes the industry is taking turn for the worse. However, is it better to have the ratings and some experience six months from now when hiring picks back up or still trying to solo at your local FBO? Are there more good paying jobs out there then just the airlines? Can the average american live off of second year FO pay at a regional? Is the flight deck a better work environment than a 9-5 cubicle?

Very few people can get rich with little to no investment. Learning to fly costs money, just like business school, med school, law school, etc. Sure, pilot pay has taken a hit over the years, but salaries are still better than most jobs available to most Americans.

Longbow64, good luck to you and your aviation career, this is the best profession out there - Above the Best!

atpwannabe

Gotta agree with Clue32. Although I decided not to go to ATP, I'm looking to see if Aeronautx Flight School in Palm Beach County @ North County Airport in Palm Beach Gardens can match or beat Ari-ben's Professional Pilot Program price. Ari-Ben is quoting 45K for 250TT with 200 of that as ME; no simulator. If they can great, if not then I will exercise my other options.

I'm doing this based upon my personal situation. I think/believe that it's a buyers market out there when it come to choosing a flight school.


atp

Cubdriver

It's a symptom of youth to do foolish things. Get-there-quick flight schools are all too frequently one of them, hence the ongoing debate on this and other forums. Not that a plausible case cannot be made for either system, only that in my opinion the balance is farther to the side of the less expensive schools now than usual. Even SkyHigh comes on here from time to time and says something to the effect of get your ratings as fast as you can and get to the seniority list somewhere, perhaps even by a multi-crew license if they ever create it. But I know from experience what life is like with whopping loans to pay down and wouldn't wish it on anyone, especially my pilot friends. $25k is not enough income to pay down loans and live in anything other than Mom and Dad's house or a trailer park.

freezingflyboy

It has nothing to do with negativity and everything to do with reality. What makes you think hiring is going to bust open in 6 months? My crystal ball is inop but if I had to guess its gonna be Q2 2009 at the earliest before you start to see any meaningful economic recovery and significant movement within the industry. The name of the game now is consolidating and preserving cash flow in order to weather the current storm.

So forgive me for calling a spade a spade and saying that "investing" 55-60K on ratings is a bad financial decision...especially when it can be done for far cheaper. If you are having to pay that loan back on CFI pay or towing banners or bouncing from regional to regional on first year pay or, better yet, stomaching a furlough life is going to suck for you. No way around it. I'll say it again: there is no need to pay the premium (ever) to rush guys. The party at the airlines is over...at least for now.

Slice

Go to PAS, you can save an additional $15-20K. I really don't care where you train but I really hate to see guys throw away tens of thousands of dollars on a fancy magazine ad.