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ATP Written

Old 04-18-2009, 09:21 AM
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I am in the process of studying to take my ATP written. I understand that it does not matter if you take either the 121 or the 135 test. I currently work for a 121 carrier but thought about taking the 135 test because it says to only study the 1900 performance questions rather than the 737, 727, and DC-9 questions. Could someone please verify that you can take the 135 written and still serve as a captain with a 121 operator?

Also, regarding the expiration date of the written. I understand that if you work for a 121 or 135 carrier, it will not expire. But if you get furloughed, and the clock begins to run down on it and then get hired by another carrier, does it go back to never expiring?
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Old 04-18-2009, 09:31 AM
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My findings are that if you are in a 121 enviornment or plan on it...take the 121. The performance questions are very easy and all the 121 aircraft are similar in method of calculations.

It has been 8 or 9 years but when I studied for it I just learned 1 aircraft (727 I think) and just learned to read the charts and did not even bother with the rest of the performance. Same goes with the W&B. If you just learn to use the charts real quickly I think it saves time than some others who try to memorize answers. Sure you have to pay more attention when you take the test but you should anyways.

I studied for 2 or 3 days took 2 practice test and then took the real thing. If you have the option of taking a practice test or 2 this helps you decide if you need to study the perf/w&B more.

When it comes to 135 vs 121 I dont think it makes a huge dif. I took my ATP ride in the mighty Piper Seminole because I was bored and stuck instructing after the industry fall in 01. The examiner never even asked which test I took in this case.
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Old 04-18-2009, 09:44 AM
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Yeah, I bought the Gleim book online along with a practice CD. It allows you to answer questions and it will tell you immediately if you got it right or wrong and why. It also allows you to take a practice tests in either the Lasergrade or the CATS format. I dont want to come across as lazy but I think if I could save myself the trouble of having to worry about an additional 300 questions (difference between 121 and 135), I would like to take it. It would be just more questions I would not have to worry about messing up on.
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Old 04-18-2009, 09:53 AM
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Do the 121 and just memorize the answers for the performance questions.
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Old 04-18-2009, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by dashtrash300 View Post
I am in the process of studying to take my ATP written. I understand that it does not matter if you take either the 121 or the 135 test. I currently work for a 121 carrier but thought about taking the 135 test because it says to only study the 1900 performance questions rather than the 737, 727, and DC-9 questions. Could someone please verify that you can take the 135 written and still serve as a captain with a 121 operator?

Also, regarding the expiration date of the written. I understand that if you work for a 121 or 135 carrier, it will not expire. But if you get furloughed, and the clock begins to run down on it and then get hired by another carrier, does it go back to never expiring?
Take the 121 exam, it's not too different.
Comair requires ATP written to be hired. I took mine in January 07 a few days before I started. I was furloughed January 09....so, back to studying for it again because it expired since I was furloughed.
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Old 04-18-2009, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by dashtrash300 View Post

Also, regarding the expiration date of the written. I understand that if you work for a 121 or 135 carrier, it will not expire. But if you get furloughed, and the clock begins to run down on it and then get hired by another carrier, does it go back to never expiring?
I don't have the regs, but I recall they say something like "an ATP applicant upgrading at a 121 carrier can use an expired ATP written".

There are no qualifiers about gaps in employment or where you were when you took the test. I think you could have taken it before you ever applied for an airline, let it expire, got hired by an airline, and then use it to upgrade. Some airlines require a current ATP written to interview, but that has nothing to do with the FARs.
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Old 04-18-2009, 10:52 AM
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Spend the $300 and go to ATP to take the test. It's a breeze. Rather then racking your brains for weeks trying to teach yourself computations that you are going to forget as soon as your click "Submit Test"...just do the ATP course and get it out of the way in 1 day!!! I did it, and never looked back! Good luck!
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Old 04-18-2009, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Laxrox43 View Post
Spend the $300 and go to ATP to take the test. It's a breeze. Rather then racking your brains for weeks trying to teach yourself computations that you are going to forget as soon as your click "Submit Test"...just do the ATP course and get it out of the way in 1 day!!! I did it, and never looked back! Good luck!
What is the difference between taking the test at ATP rather than taking it at a lasergrade center?
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Old 04-18-2009, 11:26 AM
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2nd vote for ATP. Arrived at 9am, left at 3pm with it all done.
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Old 04-18-2009, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Laxrox43 View Post
Spend the $300 and go to ATP to take the test. It's a breeze. Rather then racking your brains for weeks trying to teach yourself computations that you are going to forget as soon as your click "Submit Test"...just do the ATP course and get it out of the way in 1 day!!! I did it, and never looked back! Good luck!
I did the same and it was so easy. Before you say "$300 on my salary," think about it.

The gleim book is $35, the CD rom is $65 and you will spend $60-$90 to take the written at a testing center. Plus hours and hours of your time. I did the ATP program, bought $0 in books or computer prep software, and only used about 4 hours of my life.

Plus, the $300 can be deducted of taxes because it is a work related expense on your schedule A.
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