Everyone should know that every examiner is different. If you do a checkride when he's having a good day, it's easy; if he's upset, good luck. If the examiner has done 3 rides that day, you're the last one on his schedule, and he wants to be home for the football game, you're in luck! If the examiner usually fails alot of people and just had a meeting with the supervisor because he fails too many students, you'll probablly pass his next ride.

Do some examiners adhear to the stands, yes....Do some pass you thinking, "well, i don't think he's dangerous" yes.

This is accurate...I worked for ATP for almost a year.

Accurate...I worked there.

On paper ATPs program is very possible and in fact excellent. However, the lack of experience in the CFIs transfers into a lack of skill being passed on. ATP is designed for 121 people ONLY. Checklists, flows, and memorized procedures are what ATP harp on. ATP does not train pilots for SINGLE pilot IFR in the 135 world. They are perfect for turning out 300-500 hour, right seat, RJ FOs. However, most of the people that they turn out end with no real PIC experience, they instruct just long enough to go to the airlines and that's it. I went there to instruct to 135/ATP mins and get some multi time. I did gain a lot of experience in the IFR, twin, instructor enviornment. Most people dont care to actually learn anything past 300 hours, just get the jet course and go to an RJ interview.And yes some of their pilots are actually really good, but as a high time CFI there I saw a lot of people run to the airlines that needed to instruct a lot more.

And most people(nearly half) bust the first time through. And if you double bust, your out. The examiners still have to go through the same steps that every examiner has to go through to become an examiner. They are not hand picked, false. They are not on a contract that says they can only examine with ATP either. But they do have to sign a contract that says they will adhear to ATP's procedures.

False again. Examiners are only allowed to do to checkrides a day, with a re-check for number 3.

Has anyone completed the "airline career pilot program" with ATP at the Atlanta location? If so how was the instructors and mangers at that location? Does anyone know any other good alternatives for a similar program in the Atlanta area?

I never said the DPE's work exclusively with ATP, nor did I comment on their certification process. Anyway, let's get real here. If some hardcase starts busting everyone in sight (for any reason, including to score extra $$ on retests), he will be pushed off to the side fairly quickly. On the other hand, if the DPE 'cooperates', he can milk a very milkable cow for quite some time. ATP is happy because the students are happy, the DPE is happy with mucho checkrides to give. The chances of passing (with all other things being equal) are not the same as presenting yourself to some other random, non-ATP DPE with your 8710 and say, "Checkride me." It is what it is. It is probably better that they are familiar with ATP and their methods, so the DPE knows what he or she is dealing with.

I am not sure how ATP's student loads are nowadays. Perhaps being affiliated with ATP is not as lucrative as it used to be, with student loans drying up...

Instructors and managers will change frequently, particularly if regional hiring picks up again. Your mileage will vary greatly, since there is so much variance in CFI quality. When I went through in 2005, CFI's were bailing as fast as they could to XJT, so the experience level wasn't quite there. Lately however, you may have some more instructor longevity with CFI's being stuck where they are at.

Do you know any good alternatives in the Atl area?