TylerbPilot11

I've decided to go through ATP flight school and do there fast track program.
Does anyone have any advice about the training or what to expect when I start the program?

Thanks Tyler.

Mason32

I'd look at the costs for the program, and then look at the pay scales. The return on investment for such a large outlay isn't there.

Is this flame bait or a serious question?

kentguy13

+1

$50k and that doesn't include pvt (probably another $10k). Starting cfi pay is under $20k a year. Once you get a 1000 hours, regional pay starts at $23k a year. Right now regionals are easily 5+ years for an upgrade to captain. That only pays $70k, so plan on paying those loans off for the next 20 years. Hope you don't have kids or a house payment. Good luck!

drewtei

to add onto kent, it looks like a few regionals are about to have more furloughs

TylerbPilot11

I have no kids and not married, I have my private license, what am I supposed to do if being an airline pilot has been my dream all my life?

Flyhayes

To add to Mason32's comment
Don't just look at the cost of the program. Unless you are an uber pilot you are probably going to occur additional training costs as you go over the hour requirements the zero-to-hero programs quote you.
As an example the FAA part 61 PPL requires only 40 hours of flight time before you can take your check ride, however the national average before students are capable to take the check ride is closer to 70 hours. As such the cost of the programs can soar beyond what the student was expecting.
Certainly these overages can be mitigated by going to a professional flight school that utilizes a well thought out curriculum and the level the student engages in his/her own training.

Tzuk95

Ok,
If you haven't already given up then great! First lesson as a commercial pilot. Don't listen to half the stuff you hear on aviation forums. Unless you want the most terrible outlook on aviation you can get. Flying is still a fantastic career and you still get to do what other people in they're hum drum lives dream about. Go to ATP or check out Tailwheels etc in FL. They have an accelerated program that is cheaper and is a better atmosphere. Pm me for more info. I went to ATP. It is what you make of it. Not every instructor is good. Nor is every one bad. Talk to the guys and stick with the ones that work for you. Develop a strict self study program for the ground stuff. Ground school was pretty weak when I went through. All in all the program works. But really check out tailwheels etc too. And most importantly DON'T GIVE UP. First year pay blah blah, treated badly blah blah. Your gonna hear it all. If you don't give it your all you'll always wonder what if...

47dog

I'm flying a 747 all over the World, pretty good huh? Not really!
Gone 21 days a month, I'm married, no fun.
I'm making less $ than I did 15 years ago.
I've been laid off 4 times in ten years.
I've moved 7 times in ten years.
I'm on three seniority list, bottom of all three, no job security.
Every body I know has been divorced.
Many have declared bankruptcy.

It's a rough unstable life. Go do something you enjoy. Create a business and be in control of your life.

GrUpGrDn

One question that hasn't been asked. Why do you think you need to go to a school that is a fast tracked system?

TheDH

I went to ATP. Worked for me. Yeah it's rough and you have to work hard but you get through it quick and on your way to doing what you want to do. It's the first step to being broke for a while but at some point you'll get though it. Most people it takes years to get though everything. You'll do it in 90 days with good multi time. No one who I went through the program with went over the flight time and had to pay extra. People did wash out but they were also scared of power on stalls. Some instructors do suck but most were good. Just don't expect someone to hold your hand. You have to put in the time.