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?

 

I didn't train with ATP from the get-go, but did their two-week CFI course and was hired on as an instructor...I can tell you that what I saw from the majority of their instructors was almost shocking. Not surprising only because they train to the test and in-breed the majority of their IP's. Also, they were never particularly pleasant to deal with, BUT they delivered. I was notified of an interview with my first Airline after just a few weeks as a CFI with them, hired and in class a week later. PM me if you'd like, but whatever you do, good luck!

 

Do you have any choice in who your instructor will be, or are you just scheduled with whoever is available at the time? It seems silly to fly with a different CFI every flight...

 

All I ever heard about the program was that there was some guy teaching the CFI course who was really good, but always would wear the same blue jogging suit day after day.

 

Either I don't get the joke, or you're not being very helpful...

Hard to pick up sarcasm over the computer.

 

You are not given a choice on your instructors. You are assigned instructors for given ratings or courses.

 

I have a friend that runs a pretty big flight school that has had bad luck with both instructors and students that come from ATP. Because of this he will not hire an instructor that has gone through ATPs program(s).

 

R U talking about All ATPs? If so, I just got my ATP certificate through their 2-day course in the Piper Seminole. Instructor had a great attitude and was pretty smart.....but very young/inexperienced (350TT). It was a big boy prgm....study the aircraft systems b4 you go, 2-flts and grnd training on day 1. Check on day 2.

I passed, but had a terrible Designated Pilot Examiner, so if you go to Addison, Tx, hit me up n I'll give u the name to avoid...although ATP told me they would never use him again after I blasted an email to the company leadership.

 

I am a regional pilot who went to ATP about 6 years ago. I've heard that things have changed since then (e.g. price, standards) but when I went through I had quite a positive experience. To say that all their pilots/instructors are bad is quite the generalization. I may have been lucky but the instructor I had for most of the program was superb.

The program had its challenges and you had to be quite self-motivated to do well. When I went through I even remember several students leaving (flunking out) that just couldn't take the fast-paced self-study kind of training. After going through 2 121 training programs (been furloughed, now at airline #2) I can honestly say that it was great preparation for the airlines. If you didn't study every night, you probably wouldn't make it and that's just the way it was.

Unfortunately, I have heard rumor that the program is not quite what it used to be, and that since there aren't as many people interested in flying for a regional making $20,000/yr, they have relaxed their standards in order to get the "customer" to pass his checkrides.

I really had the time of my life when I was there and I will always look back fondly upon it. I met some great people that allowed me to be where I am now, and I highly doubt I would have found that at my little flight school back home.

 

Thanks for the input. I feel that I'm pretty motivated, and I will do whatever it takes to get through the material. I think it's a good thing that some kids flunk out... it shows that they don't have a true passion for aviation.

I also feel that it would be good preparation for the airlines. The Chicago location has some very busy airspace which would give you some additional experience. My local FBO is uncontrolled, no class C or B airspace anywhere near.

The big hurdles are getting over the fact that I'm taking out that big loan, and the fact that I would have to be transfered to Chicago for work.