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Graduating College.. Off to ATP?

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Graduating College.. Off to ATP?

Old 12-06-2013, 07:04 AM
  #41  
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If you are planning on making aviation your career and go the CFI/CFII/MEI route I suggest you start studying toward that goal even in your basic training. I have seen numerous CFI applicants who would be unable to pass a thorough private pilot or instrument check ride. After numerous unsat's the applicant and instructor open up the door for a 709 eval. Keep studying even after you receive the certificate/ratings. Good luck.
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Old 12-11-2013, 06:34 AM
  #42  
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As a former student and instructor at ATP I would strongly suggest it to someone in your situation. I began the ATP 150 day fast track within a month of finishing grad school and have zero regrets. The program is tough and it is not for everyone as I saw many many people wash out before completion or have to spend extra money to get to the end. However if you're a person who can buckle down for 3 months, study everyday, show up prepared for every flight, and pick up information the first time around instead of having be shown a stall 4 times before you are able to perform one partially correct on your own (yes, I had those students) then I believe it is the way to go. The people who typically struggled were the students who expected to be given 4 hours of ground everyday instead of studying as well as some who just couldn't cut it. It was usually the 18 or 19 year-olds with zero or very little college experience who never learned how to be a good student, or the older students who just needed extra time to pick up the flying.

Working for them was a bit of a different story. The pay was bad, hours were awful, and the constant time crunch burned me out pretty quickly. However I will say that I am at a different job now still time building toward 1500 and my logbook is much more attractive than most coworkers. I have all of the ATP requirements with the exception of 1500. I know many people from other schools with far less than 500 XC and less than 50 ME who spent much much more money than I did. Both Raleigh and Charlotte locations are very nice from what I have heard. I have been to the Charlotte location and known people from Raleigh, have heard nothing but good things and when I worked there there was a waiting list for both locations so there were no new instructors there, all had months of experience. That was very winded, PM me if you have anymore questions.
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Old 12-23-2013, 12:47 PM
  #43  
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Grrrr, what kind of hours can I expect upon completing the career track program and start instructing for ATP? Maybe anyone else can chime in on what that figure may look at as well.
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Old 12-23-2013, 08:53 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by Flyboyxc91 View Post
I'm currently in my last year at a NC college and will be graduating in May. I got my PPL last year and have accrued 86 flight hours TT. I have done well with my college studies however I want to fly for a living because it is my passion.. I am an extremely hard worker and when I got my PPL I worked 40+ hours a week, flew 3-4 days a week, and still got my license in 3 months time.. All this being behind me I think an accelerated program may work for me due to my high workload I can take. I want to go to ATP Flight School either in Raleigh or Charlotte, does anyone have any other advice for me? Or even which location may be best for training? Thanks!

Good luck!
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Old 12-25-2013, 09:19 AM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by Flyboyxc91 View Post
Grrrr, what kind of hours can I expect upon completing the career track program and start instructing for ATP? Maybe anyone else can chime in on what that figure may look at as well.
Depends on how hard you work. I usually get 75-100 hours per month. It's hard work but it pays off in the long run. Well maintained airplanes with a continuous flow of students, I can't complain about it.
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Old 12-25-2013, 03:06 PM
  #46  
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I'm a CFI/CFII interested in the military route. I'm finishing my CMEL and MEI soon and I heard ANG is a good way to go. From what I've read it sounds like going Tankers looks better for the airlines, is it super competitive to get a tanker slot? Whats the typical selection process like (I'll go back and do some searching too). I'm about to turn 26, 4 year degree.

Last edited by csucbrown; 12-25-2013 at 03:22 PM.
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Old 12-28-2013, 05:28 AM
  #47  
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CSU,

Do not pick a guard slot based on what you think the airlines want. Pick something you love. If your goal is to fly for an airline, regional or major, the worst thing you can do is commute to the job. They will ask you if you are willing to relocate, you will say yes or you won't be hired. So if you are reserves and airline job I would plan to be domiciled at the airlines main base and commute to reserves if required. Pick a plane that you will enjoy and also one that gives opportunity to transfer to another base if you have to. In my day it was easier to go from single seat to transport than the other way around.

Archie
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Old 12-28-2013, 07:41 PM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by abdunbar View Post
CSU,

Do not pick a guard slot based on what you think the airlines want. Pick something you love. If your goal is to fly for an airline, regional or major, the worst thing you can do is commute to the job. They will ask you if you are willing to relocate, you will say yes or you won't be hired. So if you are reserves and airline job I would plan to be domiciled at the airlines main base and commute to reserves if required. Pick a plane that you will enjoy and also one that gives opportunity to transfer to another base if you have to. In my day it was easier to go from single seat to transport than the other way around.

Archie
Thanks for the response. I'd love T-38s but I heard if you go fighters you wouldn't fly as much as tankers, is that true?
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Old 01-02-2014, 06:20 PM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by Flyboyxc91 View Post
Grrrr, what kind of hours can I expect upon completing the career track program and start instructing for ATP? Maybe anyone else can chime in on what that figure may look at as well.
GDP hit it on the head. I was there for 8 months at a few different locations and got between 60 and 110 hours every month. Will fluctuate depending on the number of students and what phase they're in. Mine always seemed to be soloing at once which would slow things. But also depends on how hard you work. The quicker you get your students through the sooner you get new ones. Some chose to take days off or look for any reason to cancel flights, I preferred keeping on schedule and finding a way to get in the air if at all possible and constructive.
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Old 01-02-2014, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Grrrr View Post
GDP hit it on the head. I was there for 8 months at a few different locations and got between 60 and 110 hours every month. Will fluctuate depending on the number of students and what phase they're in. Mine always seemed to be soloing at once which would slow things. But also depends on how hard you work. The quicker you get your students through the sooner you get new ones. Some chose to take days off or look for any reason to cancel flights, I preferred keeping on schedule and finding a way to get in the air if at all possible and constructive.
That goes for anywhere. If you continue to work hard you'll get more students and you will build more time. Don't cancel flights for any reason. ATP is great as long as you are ready to bust your ass.
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