ATP right out of high school
02-15-2011, 01:53 PM
#11
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Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: E175 CA
Posts: 61
Hello again AptKid,
What I meant by this route being "more costly", was that after spending $55k at the ATP school, you would then spend $5000 a semester at a state university. This is roughly what I paid. If you go to a CC or some other cheaper route than that obviously doesn't apply. Another costly decision is to go work for a cheap Regional that hires 750 hour FOs (e.g. Great Lakes), and pays you less than 20k/year. This is a cost in my opinion because you could get your degree, and build enough time to work for a Regional that will pay you 30k-50k as an FO. At a minimum you will make $40k more in the first 4-5 years as an FO at a better Regional, if you waited, built more time and got a degree.
I know it sounds like I am putting a lot of emphasis on getting a degree first, unfortunately many jobs prefer you have one (including Great Lakes). It may not be required, but it can help a lot!
It's no easy decision.
What I meant by this route being "more costly", was that after spending $55k at the ATP school, you would then spend $5000 a semester at a state university. This is roughly what I paid. If you go to a CC or some other cheaper route than that obviously doesn't apply. Another costly decision is to go work for a cheap Regional that hires 750 hour FOs (e.g. Great Lakes), and pays you less than 20k/year. This is a cost in my opinion because you could get your degree, and build enough time to work for a Regional that will pay you 30k-50k as an FO. At a minimum you will make $40k more in the first 4-5 years as an FO at a better Regional, if you waited, built more time and got a degree.
I know it sounds like I am putting a lot of emphasis on getting a degree first, unfortunately many jobs prefer you have one (including Great Lakes). It may not be required, but it can help a lot!
It's no easy decision.
02-15-2011, 04:57 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2010
Posts: 100
Just one more bit of my .02, you can probably defer the loans by doing their college option. I believe they have partnered with Mountain State Online. You cant just choose any online school and have the loans deferred. At least that's how it worked out for me, having already been in that situation.
02-15-2011, 09:34 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: ERJ CA
Posts: 1,082
Originally Posted by AirportKid
So if I graduate with the guaranteed 250, then work for roughly six months, my TT would be about 550, a good chunk hopefully being multi time. So I guess what I am asking is this: Is it not reasonably possible to be picked up at a regional with that amount of time?
02-15-2011, 10:08 PM
#15
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Joined APC: Feb 2011
Position: Window Seat, C-172
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by aviatoralex
1) I would definitely recommend going to a University to study and not just do everything online so you can experience the campus life, make friends, party and study at the same time.
So yeah, get your PPL on your own money and go to college after HS. Don't try to accelerate growing up. It's not as fun as it sounds.
PS, I regret missing out on college so much that I am joining the AF Reserves in August to move in with my friends in college and to go to school full time. THATS how awesome it is, don't miss out.
02-16-2011, 12:41 PM
#16
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2010
Position: C172
Posts: 13
Hey guys, thx again for all the responses.
Okay... So I guess it looks like this might not be the most practical plan of going about getting my licenses. Plus if I cant even be hired at a regional until 21, it wouldnt matter anyways...
There is another option though that was my first choice before I heard about the whole ATP thing... I guess I might of gotten a little too excited about it before learning EXACTLY what going that route entitled.
My next plan is to attend a somewhat (about an hour away) local community college, who has a pretty good aviation program.
The pluses to this route are:
1) I get my PPL - CFI, MEI, II etc. in 2 years, not 4.
2) Federal loans! This is very important cause not only are they significantly easier to get, but they definately CAN be deferred until graduation.
3) Aviation will be my AA degree, and not my bachelors. Which means I can go to the 4 year university in my town, where my mom works and I get 75% off of tuition.
So basically, I will get my gen eds out of the way at this CC, while being enrolled in the flight training program. With your guys help I think this will probably be the best option.
This way I can live a regular life, do all the fun college stuff, get all my ratings relatively fast, instruct throughout my last two years of college to build time and make a little money on the side, and since its federal, the laon will be deferred until i'm done with my Bachelor's.
Then I guess after that, I will just have to build time after I get my degree, which unfortunately will put me a little behind the hiring curve, but I guess thats a reasonable sacrifice to live a somewhat normal life. As Skyhigh said, the jobs will always be there...
Thoughts?
Okay... So I guess it looks like this might not be the most practical plan of going about getting my licenses. Plus if I cant even be hired at a regional until 21, it wouldnt matter anyways...
There is another option though that was my first choice before I heard about the whole ATP thing... I guess I might of gotten a little too excited about it before learning EXACTLY what going that route entitled.
My next plan is to attend a somewhat (about an hour away) local community college, who has a pretty good aviation program.
The pluses to this route are:
1) I get my PPL - CFI, MEI, II etc. in 2 years, not 4.
2) Federal loans! This is very important cause not only are they significantly easier to get, but they definately CAN be deferred until graduation.
3) Aviation will be my AA degree, and not my bachelors. Which means I can go to the 4 year university in my town, where my mom works and I get 75% off of tuition.
So basically, I will get my gen eds out of the way at this CC, while being enrolled in the flight training program. With your guys help I think this will probably be the best option.
This way I can live a regular life, do all the fun college stuff, get all my ratings relatively fast, instruct throughout my last two years of college to build time and make a little money on the side, and since its federal, the laon will be deferred until i'm done with my Bachelor's.
Then I guess after that, I will just have to build time after I get my degree, which unfortunately will put me a little behind the hiring curve, but I guess thats a reasonable sacrifice to live a somewhat normal life. As Skyhigh said, the jobs will always be there...
Thoughts?
02-16-2011, 12:43 PM
#17
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2010
Position: C172
Posts: 13
Originally Posted by tylervet
Hello again AptKid,
What I meant by this route being "more costly", was that after spending $55k at the ATP school, you would then spend $5000 a semester at a state university. This is roughly what I paid. If you go to a CC or some other cheaper route than that obviously doesn't apply. Another costly decision is to go work for a cheap Regional that hires 750 hour FOs (e.g. Great Lakes), and pays you less than 20k/year. This is a cost in my opinion because you could get your degree, and build enough time to work for a Regional that will pay you 30k-50k as an FO. At a minimum you will make $40k more in the first 4-5 years as an FO at a better Regional, if you waited, built more time and got a degree.
I know it sounds like I am putting a lot of emphasis on getting a degree first, unfortunately many jobs prefer you have one (including Great Lakes). It may not be required, but it can help a lot!
It's no easy decision.
What I meant by this route being "more costly", was that after spending $55k at the ATP school, you would then spend $5000 a semester at a state university. This is roughly what I paid. If you go to a CC or some other cheaper route than that obviously doesn't apply. Another costly decision is to go work for a cheap Regional that hires 750 hour FOs (e.g. Great Lakes), and pays you less than 20k/year. This is a cost in my opinion because you could get your degree, and build enough time to work for a Regional that will pay you 30k-50k as an FO. At a minimum you will make $40k more in the first 4-5 years as an FO at a better Regional, if you waited, built more time and got a degree.
I know it sounds like I am putting a lot of emphasis on getting a degree first, unfortunately many jobs prefer you have one (including Great Lakes). It may not be required, but it can help a lot!
It's no easy decision.
And here is the link to the school that I am looking at... As a matter of fact I am actually doing a campus visit tomorrow to check out their aviation program, so that should be a good experience.
http://www.indianhills.edu/courses/t...tionpilot.html
Last edited by AirportKid; 02-16-2011 at 12:45 PM. Reason: extra thought
02-16-2011, 01:35 PM
#18
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Position: Window Seat, C-172
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by tylervet
Hello again AptKid,
What I meant by this route being "more costly", was that after spending $55k at the ATP school, you would then spend $5000 a semester at a state university. This is roughly what I paid. If you go to a CC or some other cheaper route than that obviously doesn't apply. Another costly decision is to go work for a cheap Regional that hires 750 hour FOs (e.g. Great Lakes), and pays you less than 20k/year. This is a cost in my opinion because you could get your degree, and build enough time to work for a Regional that will pay you 30k-50k as an FO. At a minimum you will make $40k more in the first 4-5 years as an FO at a better Regional, if you waited, built more time and got a degree.
I know it sounds like I am putting a lot of emphasis on getting a degree first, unfortunately many jobs prefer you have one (including Great Lakes). It may not be required, but it can help a lot!
It's no easy decision.
What I meant by this route being "more costly", was that after spending $55k at the ATP school, you would then spend $5000 a semester at a state university. This is roughly what I paid. If you go to a CC or some other cheaper route than that obviously doesn't apply. Another costly decision is to go work for a cheap Regional that hires 750 hour FOs (e.g. Great Lakes), and pays you less than 20k/year. This is a cost in my opinion because you could get your degree, and build enough time to work for a Regional that will pay you 30k-50k as an FO. At a minimum you will make $40k more in the first 4-5 years as an FO at a better Regional, if you waited, built more time and got a degree.
I know it sounds like I am putting a lot of emphasis on getting a degree first, unfortunately many jobs prefer you have one (including Great Lakes). It may not be required, but it can help a lot!
It's no easy decision.
Who do you have to murder for that slot?
02-17-2011, 12:16 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Self employed
Posts: 3,048
Originally Posted by AirportKid
To attend ATP in Chicago this summer, right after I graduate high school, and enroll in the 150 day "Fast-Track" program...... I am more than aware of how much first year regional FO's make, but I think it will be enough to survive while I am going to school...... if the whole "Pilot Shortage" (I know many of you guys on here of skeptical of this...)
The only pilot shortage will be the economic one.... pilots who won't work for cheap. But more than enough will to keep the price pathetically low.
Lets start with the basics. Can you pass a 1st Class medical?
02-17-2011, 03:13 AM
#20
Eats shoots and leaves...
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Didactic Synthetic Aviation Experience Provider
Posts: 849
Originally Posted by AirportKid
There is another option though that was my first choice before I heard about the whole ATP thing... I guess I might of gotten a little too excited about it before learning EXACTLY what going that route entitled.
My next plan is to attend a somewhat (about an hour away) local community college, who has a pretty good aviation program.
...
Thoughts?
My next plan is to attend a somewhat (about an hour away) local community college, who has a pretty good aviation program.
...
Thoughts?
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