I have heard a lot about the ATP Flight Schools across the U.S and varied comments about them either being a waste of time and not worth the money, or just as good as any other school. I have about 300 hrs, most in multi-engine turbo props and have my single and multi, commercial instrument ratings. Would a school like ATP be worth attending to get my CFI to accrue hours in order to obtain my ATP and fly for the airlines? I'm seeing lots of "guarantees" about placement with the airlines right now, but I'm wary of those sorts of promises. Any one actually attending one of these schools across the U.S who can tell me about them?

 

As I posted on the other thread, check out 'Flight Training' magazine through the aopa.org website.

Do some research before sending off any $$.

 

Well, their operation out of Sac Executive delivers none of the promises stated in there corporate flyers. My son started there in Feb. and they cancelled the first 3 out of 5 flights and not because of weather or mechanicals. They couldn't cover the schedule and there instructors are raw. It was a waist of time and money and they didn't bother to help him when he voiced his concerns.

 

I know SEVERAL cfi's that went to ATP and now are thousands of dollars in debt (granted this was for their entire training. You can't get your money back if you drop out) and hated every minute of their time at this place. The common denominator among these guys is that they fell for their marketing strategies, this is how they get you. Do yourself a favor and avoid ATP

 

There's a thread on Jetcareers authored by a fellow who recently started down the path at AllATPs. Maybe you would find his commentary useful.

I did several ratings at AllATPs and found the quality of instruction was good and had no complaints. All four of the instructors I dealt with CFI'd until they had their 1500 hours and then left for the regionals. If they hated their time there they did a good job of keeping it to themselves.

I also did a rating at Aerosim in Sanford, FL, and it was a slow and drawn out process. I don't think I would enjoy instructing there.

My guess is that some AllATP locations are better than others.

 

Bingo!

I've been told that is the case.

 

I wouldn't suggest working for them. I know many people who have been there for years because they can't get the hours the need to move on to the airlines. The management is horrible and treats you like crap. You get the weekends off but only if you student is on track, that means they haven't missed a day due to weather, illness or maintenance, which isn't going to happen. Most CFIs that work there are looking at other jobs. I know of one guys that got fired recently because he told a new student that she was doing something wrong. She complained to the management and they told him "We would rather have a bad instructor with a good attitude than a good one with a bad attitude." Get your ratings and then get out, you do not want to work for them.

 

I have been at ATP since March 6Th...So far I like the training I have received. I am sure it all depends on the instructor you get as I am sure there are bad apples. My instructor is very good. He started the program about 2 years ago and has an interview this week with Endeavor Air (I do believe). A lot of the ground school information is self study even though we do have ground school with as much flying as we do there is not enough time to spend on ground school. They have online moduels that you must complete for the ground portion. I feel as long as you put the time in to study and learn the information that you should be fine. This is a very fast pasted program and is not for someone who is lazy or thinks they can slide by.

As for the cost I would not be able to become a pilot without financing it. Not just to go to ATP but even a mom and pop shop. I would rather finance my training and know that is will take me around 6 months to have my CFI's and around 2 years to get a "real" job then spend 10 years trying to pay lesson by lesson. Just my thought I could be wrong.

 

You'll know for sure when you are trying to buy a house 10 years later.

 

:We already have a 10 acre farm