Originally Posted by Slice

You're a guy with no experience agreeing with a guy with low experience who hasn't even been to that school. If that sells you on ATP, go for it. If you're going to jump in with both feet I'd at least check out www.prairieairservice.com, you can finish just as fast as you would at ATP, it's much less expensive, and your CFI's have been pilots for more than 3-6 months. I'm not anti-ATP but it is over priced for what you get. Most of the guys that have been around the block and even some former ATP students are suggesting you shop around. LAFF is a PPL with around 100 hours who's never visited or trained at ATP. He's not a professional pilot. If you want to 'fly' satellites in the USAF for a living, he is for sure the man to get in touch with.

Originally Posted by shaggieshapiro

I don't want this to be a war, but I agree with LAFF and this is why.

I have been doing my homework and research and would love to fly. I have a pilot at work that is going to help me with ground school, so I don't have to pay for it. When I talked to the local CFI at the school I told him I was willing to do 2-3 hours a day 5 days a week. He said that was aggressive and if I was to commit to that I should have my PPL in 6 months. Well, if you do the math it doesn't add up. Considering that the national average is 71 hours 2hrsx5=10 hours a week 40 hrs a month so 6 months would equal 240 hrs? I have one more local school to check out and if that doesn't pan out I will go to ATP.
I really appreciate the time you guys are taking in posting a reply. This is a very important decision I have to make for a job that I believe to be rewarding.
Thanks again
Orlando

Originally Posted by LAfrequentflyer

Good for you...Do your own research and you'll also realize a school like ATP is the way to go. Don't waste your time/money on FBOs.


-LAFF

Originally Posted by shaggieshapiro

I think I'm leaning more towards ATP. I know it will cost more, but I think I will be able to get a flying job faster. One thing that is bothering me is that if I train in Phoenix where there is no weather would airlines frown on that? Also, I heard that regionals have an age cutoff for hiring. A pilot told me that they won't hire people past 31 yrs old. Is this true?
Thanks
Orlando

Originally Posted by Slice

Who told you that? Totally and completely false! Don't let that be your justification for paying too much for training.

Originally Posted by shaggieshapiro

Whew, thank god it's not true!! I had 2 people tell me that. One guy is an aircraft mechanic and the other is a chief pilot for my company

Originally Posted by Slice

Most wrenches I know, know as much about flying as pilots do about Mx, not much. As for your CP, if he's really old maybe it was like that in his day 20-30 years ago. You may want to try and talk to a few airline pilots first. What kind of operation do you work for?

Originally Posted by the King

I'd guess its because they're gone when they'd hoped to be home. Many probably chose corporate over airlines so they could be home. But corporate bigwigs like to travel on holidays and at odd times. It's entirely possible that their schedule is much different than they expected.