I am not sure how UPS scores an ATP vs. just having the written so you may lose points in their selection process.

Even so, when the window closes if they don't open it back up until 2008(no telling on that one) you will have to re-apply then anyway.

 

Any recommendations for ATP programs? I've seen Jax & Birmingham mentioned here. Any specifics (names, cost, etc..) would be appreciated. The time has come to suck it up & just get it done.

- Thanks

 

I did my ATP at Birmingham through all ATP's. Gordo (the Flight Examiner) liked the military guys and was pretty big picture. I'd recommend BHM, I think it was $1995 plus $400 cash to the flight examiner.
I did the all day study and take the ATP written there at All ATPs. It is a nice way to knock it out in a day, but I used the Sheppard Air program to get my FE written done and having done both I liked the Sheppard Air alot better. Plus total cost was $165 vs $300.

 

I went to HPA and got the ATP at the same time as the 73 type rating. My checkride was in no way different from any of my classmates and it was done in a sim which certainly takes a bit of the uncertainty out of it, I felt.

It is definitely worth it if you think you want the type for SWA targeting. There is no additional cost so you can look at it as saving $2500 or wasting $5000. But it is certainly one way to do it.

 

I did the All ATP 5-day (4.5 actually) gig at Pensacola for FE written and ATP rating. Very big picture bunch at the time (circa 1998). Couldn't say what they are like now. Good program to just "git er done." A couple of painful days staring at a computer screen and knocking out the tests. Then a couple of flights in a seminole and a check ride with a local FAA examiner on day 5. Easiest check ride I ever took. Program is geared toward mil pilots getting the civilian stink on them. If you are not interested in a 737 rating, they were a good way to go. Good luck and just get it done.

 

I did the All ATP 5 point prep Dec 06 at JAX. Had fun. Mil guys typically get their "most experienced" IP--400TT 22 yrs old! Seriously though, they try really hard to get you through as quickly and painlessly as possible. The Examiner at JAX (CRG actually) is by many reports a pain in the rear. Has yelled at some guys etc. I flew with him without problem, so I can't confirm other than through others including the local instructors. The local instructors are scared of him big time so it may be overblown, but I digress. Overall I thought the JAX all ATP was just fine.

 

Does anyone know of a good dude/dudette that is an FAA examiner able to give ATP checkrides in a 737? Already spoke to FSDO and trying to find a 'military friendly' type of guy or gal. Thanks

 

Get the full ATP, you'll never know the timeline - best example, I ended up having the take the friggin FEX three times to keep it current, had I known the future I wouldn't have turned down the offer to get the practical in a 141 many years ago

 

I agree, especially in today's market. You need every qual you can get.

I got my ATP from John Trask up in Presque Isle, Maine. Check out the Presque Isle airport website for his number. He was recommended to me by a friend, who got his name recommended by a friend etc... I did my written at All ATPs in Raleigh on day 1, flew up to Maine on day 2, checkride and oral on day three and back home in NC by 2100 same day. Still saved about $100-300 I figure even with the air fare and it was alot more fun. Mr Trask flew B-52s for the Air Force back during the cold war and knows the military avaition world and what we do. Some civilian FAA check guy who you have to pay cash to after going through an All ATP prep course all weekend will not necessarily give you that benefit of the doubt. I admit he may be awesome and be really great but he may even hold it against you if he was not military...some guys are funny about that especially if they got rejected from the military or washed out. Why take a chance...

 

Yes, absolutely, if you want to be considered as a serious applicant, you need to have your ATP, not just the written. Just think, almost all your competition has an ATP, so make sure you have that square filled.

Depending on the equipment you're coming from, I think doing the 737 type and ATP at the same time is a great idea -- I wish I would have done that. As has been mentioned, depending on where you live, you might be able to get state "vocational training" money to help pay for it. All the big 737 type schools like High Power have that info and a call to them can point you in the right direction as far as how to apply, etc. Coming from heavy jets, I think it would have been easier to do the ATP in the 737 sim than with some young kid in a piston twin.

If you don't do the 737/ATP combo, I'd recommend finding one of the military-friendly deals that guys have mentioned on here. I went to All ATPs and got lucky with a friendly big-picture examiner who had the right attitude that the checkride was just a formality to fill a square -- he recognized that military pilots already train to ATP standards. However, I've spoken with guys who went to other locations and even the same location as me, but a different examiner and got the "if you break any of the mins for a second, you pink" treatment. Frankly, with our background of extensive training, I find that kind of attitude an insult. Of course the FAA could always recognize our training and provide an ATP military equivalancy, but that's probably a different thread to b---h about that one!