Any ATP Grads Here?
03-29-2011, 08:44 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Homebased
Posts: 127
Originally Posted by Jones14
Anyone here go through one of the ATP programs? I understand the general opinion of these zero to hero schools is poor, but I would imagine like anything you can get out of it what you put in. A lot of it has to do with the person. Their package deals do seem to be very well priced. I have a PPL and the quote through MEII is right at $50,000. That's better than any FBO has ever quoted me. Plus a guaranteed CFI position after graduation. They say they can get rates at 4% APR for 25 years, which comes out to just under $270/mo... that's a manageable number but also comes out to $30,000 in accrued interest over 25 years. Scary.
So to the graduates; Now that you've graduated and moved on with a job what is your opinion on the decision to go with ATP? How good was the advertised airline placement program? What are the things you overlooked, liked, disliked, etc? What did you actually end up spending, and how has life been financially with those first few years of FO pay?
I understand I'm not going to be rich, trust me I'm already an A&P mechanic for a regional. I also don't want to be completely stuck living paycheck to paycheck. On another forum a 2 year regional FO posted his 2 week paycheck, and it was over $1300... so that's over $600/mo more than I am netting now (sigh...), but I'm actually doing okay on that paycheck.
I'm almost 25 and paying for ratings one at a time out of pocket is just taking way too long. I've been in contact with an AA pilot friend and he suggested getting moving ASAP because the pilot shortage is looking like it will happen sooner than later. So it comes down to time vs money. TSA has line mechanic positions available at ORD, and a new facility opened at DPA. It might be possible to keep working full time and train with their self paced program.
Comments, suggestions?
So to the graduates; Now that you've graduated and moved on with a job what is your opinion on the decision to go with ATP? How good was the advertised airline placement program? What are the things you overlooked, liked, disliked, etc? What did you actually end up spending, and how has life been financially with those first few years of FO pay?
I understand I'm not going to be rich, trust me I'm already an A&P mechanic for a regional. I also don't want to be completely stuck living paycheck to paycheck. On another forum a 2 year regional FO posted his 2 week paycheck, and it was over $1300... so that's over $600/mo more than I am netting now (sigh...), but I'm actually doing okay on that paycheck.
I'm almost 25 and paying for ratings one at a time out of pocket is just taking way too long. I've been in contact with an AA pilot friend and he suggested getting moving ASAP because the pilot shortage is looking like it will happen sooner than later. So it comes down to time vs money. TSA has line mechanic positions available at ORD, and a new facility opened at DPA. It might be possible to keep working full time and train with their self paced program.
Comments, suggestions?
Let me know if you have any questions?
03-29-2011, 09:47 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 254
Originally Posted by brewpilot
Your in the same spot I was 4 years ago. Do it man! I had my private before going there which was a big help. I worked on planes in the military and knew that I wanted to fly them instead. My mindset was get my stuff fast and get to the regionals, upgrade, and move to the majors. With all the being said. I got my ratings, got to the airlines and now I'm upgrading next month. ATP is what you make of it. Your gonna be a good pilot regardless of your flight school, if your a good pilot and the material is there. ATP does it all. So my recommendation, DO IT!!!
Let me know if you have any questions?
Let me know if you have any questions?
03-29-2011, 10:21 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Posts: 115
I did a flight for the flight school that shares our building when they were really hurting for MEI's with a gentleman who had gone to ATP (checkout for rental). My only memory of the flight is that when practicing Vmc, we got down to the speed, he ran out of rudder, then slammed the rudder a few more times, and looked at me and said "it won't stop yawing". 
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think they're inept at teaching - I've flown with a couple other ATP guys and found them to be fairly competent (safety pilot time aside
), but this guy stuck in my head the minute he said that.
For getting your ratings and getting out it's not a bad value, just remember that you're going to have that stigma of being from a cookie cutter, zero to hero school. If you want to believe that they're going to offer you a job once you graduate, that's your perogative. You won't get the quality, in-depth training that you'd get in a collegiate program, and your instructors are probably all going to be low hour timebuilders who could care less about your training. Ten years down the road will it matter where you went? No. But when you start looking for that first job after you aren't hired as promised at ATP, is your potential employer going to take you, the 250 hour wonder pilot, or are they going to take somebody with an equal amount of time and four years of aviation study?
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think they're inept at teaching - I've flown with a couple other ATP guys and found them to be fairly competent (safety pilot time aside
), but this guy stuck in my head the minute he said that.For getting your ratings and getting out it's not a bad value, just remember that you're going to have that stigma of being from a cookie cutter, zero to hero school. If you want to believe that they're going to offer you a job once you graduate, that's your perogative. You won't get the quality, in-depth training that you'd get in a collegiate program, and your instructors are probably all going to be low hour timebuilders who could care less about your training. Ten years down the road will it matter where you went? No. But when you start looking for that first job after you aren't hired as promised at ATP, is your potential employer going to take you, the 250 hour wonder pilot, or are they going to take somebody with an equal amount of time and four years of aviation study?
03-29-2011, 11:03 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 254
Originally Posted by AbortAbortAbort
I did a flight for the flight school that shares our building when they were really hurting for MEI's with a gentleman who had gone to ATP (checkout for rental). My only memory of the flight is that when practicing Vmc, we got down to the speed, he ran out of rudder, then slammed the rudder a few more times, and looked at me and said "it won't stop yawing".
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think they're inept at teaching - I've flown with a couple other ATP guys and found them to be fairly competent (safety pilot time aside ), but this guy stuck in my head the minute he said that.
For getting your ratings and getting out it's not a bad value, just remember that you're going to have that stigma of being from a cookie cutter, zero to hero school. If you want to believe that they're going to offer you a job once you graduate, that's your perogative. You won't get the quality, in-depth training that you'd get in a collegiate program, and your instructors are probably all going to be low hour timebuilders who could care less about your training. Ten years down the road will it matter where you went? No. But when you start looking for that first job after you aren't hired as promised at ATP, is your potential employer going to take you, the 250 hour wonder pilot, or are they going to take somebody with an equal amount of time and four years of aviation study?
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think they're inept at teaching - I've flown with a couple other ATP guys and found them to be fairly competent (safety pilot time aside
), but this guy stuck in my head the minute he said that.For getting your ratings and getting out it's not a bad value, just remember that you're going to have that stigma of being from a cookie cutter, zero to hero school. If you want to believe that they're going to offer you a job once you graduate, that's your perogative. You won't get the quality, in-depth training that you'd get in a collegiate program, and your instructors are probably all going to be low hour timebuilders who could care less about your training. Ten years down the road will it matter where you went? No. But when you start looking for that first job after you aren't hired as promised at ATP, is your potential employer going to take you, the 250 hour wonder pilot, or are they going to take somebody with an equal amount of time and four years of aviation study?
I think that ATP type schools attract so many people who THINK they want to be pilots. When you Google search airline pilot, or flight school what is the first advertisement that pops up? Flashy logos, interview guarantees, lowest price guarantees, etc. I view myself as more than just a dreamer at this point. I've established myself in the aviation industry, and now I'm just trying to research the best way to make this happen. It's a tough road...
I think for now I will continue patiently waiting to add some ratings through my Civil Air Patrol membership. If things don't progress as quickly as I hope they do through CAP I might have to wave the white flag and take on the debt for one of these programs.
03-29-2011, 11:59 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,803
Also, FWIW, I don't think I know a single guy that made it through ATP's program without at least one pink-sheet...the DE's are trashy and it's easy for them to bankroll a vacation on just one student's check/re-check.
03-29-2011, 12:23 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,205
Originally Posted by AbortAbortAbort
I did a flight for the flight school that shares our building when they were really hurting for MEI's with a gentleman who had gone to ATP (checkout for rental). My only memory of the flight is that when practicing Vmc, we got down to the speed, he ran out of rudder, then slammed the rudder a few more times, and looked at me and said "it won't stop yawing".
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think they're inept at teaching - I've flown with a couple other ATP guys and found them to be fairly competent (safety pilot time aside ), but this guy stuck in my head the minute he said that.
For getting your ratings and getting out it's not a bad value, just remember that you're going to have that stigma of being from a cookie cutter, zero to hero school. If you want to believe that they're going to offer you a job once you graduate, that's your perogative. You won't get the quality, in-depth training that you'd get in a collegiate program, and your instructors are probably all going to be low hour timebuilders who could care less about your training. Ten years down the road will it matter where you went? No. But when you start looking for that first job after you aren't hired as promised at ATP, is your potential employer going to take you, the 250 hour wonder pilot, or are they going to take somebody with an equal amount of time and four years of aviation study?
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think they're inept at teaching - I've flown with a couple other ATP guys and found them to be fairly competent (safety pilot time aside
), but this guy stuck in my head the minute he said that.For getting your ratings and getting out it's not a bad value, just remember that you're going to have that stigma of being from a cookie cutter, zero to hero school. If you want to believe that they're going to offer you a job once you graduate, that's your perogative. You won't get the quality, in-depth training that you'd get in a collegiate program, and your instructors are probably all going to be low hour timebuilders who could care less about your training. Ten years down the road will it matter where you went? No. But when you start looking for that first job after you aren't hired as promised at ATP, is your potential employer going to take you, the 250 hour wonder pilot, or are they going to take somebody with an equal amount of time and four years of aviation study?
I think that ATP type schools attract so many people who THINK they want to be pilots. When you Google search airline pilot, or flight school what is the first advertisement that pops up? Flashy logos, interview guarantees, lowest price guarantees, etc. I view myself as more than just a dreamer at this point. I've established myself in the aviation industry, and now I'm just trying to research the best way to make this happen. It's a tough road...
I think for now I will continue patiently waiting to add some ratings through my Civil Air Patrol membership. If things don't progress as quickly as I hope they do through CAP I might have to wave the white flag and take on the debt for one of these programs.
If you want your ratings, do it. That's all you're going to have, ratings not knowledge.
Knowledge comes with time and studying in dept. Also comes with experience, not total time. I know 3 guys that went to ATP, neither of them passed any airline or part 135 IFR interviews. I'm talking that guys that failed with Ameriflight (for emb120 FO), American Eagle, Colgan, etc...
Not to be negative man, but it's better if you take your time to study, and prepare yourself as a Professional Pilot. You can do it in 6months, great. But I assure you that in a year and a half you'll get more experience.
03-29-2011, 12:37 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Position: Q400
Posts: 107
I went through ATP in Concord, NC. Went from zero time and finished in less than 8 months. In my case I would not go anywhere else but ATP, I got through the school and graduated May 21st of last year. And I havent been out a year and Im starting my first regional job the 11th of April. Thats why I went through ATP in and out and know have a job while it takes someone that does not go through ATP much much longer. I have been very lucky to get two good jobs right out of school and built really good time. But if your looking to get through school and get on with your career I would put ATP above anyone. Thats also not just because I went there, they are many good schools in the US but I think they specialize in lots of ratings in a short amount of time. Just be prepared to study hard and learn a lot. Good luck with what ever you do.
Pm me if you have any questions
Pm me if you have any questions
03-29-2011, 12:43 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Position: Q400
Posts: 107
For getting your ratings and getting out it's not a bad value, just remember that you're going to have that stigma of being from a cookie cutter, zero to hero school. If you want to believe that they're going to offer you a job once you graduate, that's your perogative. You won't get the quality, in-depth training that you'd get in a collegiate program, and your instructors are probably all going to be low hour timebuilders who could care less about your training. Ten years down the road will it matter where you went? No. But when you start looking for that first job after you aren't hired as promised at ATP, is your potential employer going to take you, the 250 hour wonder pilot, or are they going to take somebody with an equal amount of time and four years of aviation study?[/QUOTE]
This is true in some form, yes they have low time guys. But the fact is if they send students that dont pass a check ride over and over they are gone. I have seen some of the best instructors from ATP and also some that ant all that great. But there stans ant know joke so you have to be a pretty good pilot to get through it. And fyi they are looking for all the instructors they can get right now, They call me 2 times a month to try to offer me a job.
This is true in some form, yes they have low time guys. But the fact is if they send students that dont pass a check ride over and over they are gone. I have seen some of the best instructors from ATP and also some that ant all that great. But there stans ant know joke so you have to be a pretty good pilot to get through it. And fyi they are looking for all the instructors they can get right now, They call me 2 times a month to try to offer me a job.
03-29-2011, 09:46 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 258
Originally Posted by Jones14
Either I don't get the joke, or you're not being very helpful...
Hard to pick up sarcasm over the computer.
Hard to pick up sarcasm over the computer.
He was talking about one of the instructors in Vegas, the guy is/was a real piece of work...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Atrain77
Flight Schools and Training
10
02-09-2006 02:11 PM
