The training centers will charge what the market will bear. You can get a type 737 for 8 grand, a G4 type is 40 grand. Both require more classroom and sim time than the ATP training program.

Whew. Thankfully someone here can predict the future.

What if a person just turned 20 and has ~1700 TT 500 TPIC /135 Current. But cannot take the written due to age, and will not fork over 15K. Zero sympathy for that?

Fine.

There is no way that the program for the ATP written is going to cost 15 grand in a world of $8,000 (and less) full type ratings for 737s, A320s and MD80s.

You need a retired, medical'd or unemployed airline pilot to stand in front of a [large] classroom for 1 week. You need 10 hours in whatever sim is not getting much use in recent years. If you run the numbers it comes out to something in the $4,000 to $5,000 range.

That is not small change to a young pilot, but it is a far cry from $15,000. The original article is clearly, and deeply, flawed. In fact it reads like one of the RAA's hysterical press releases.

I don't have sympathy for most people. I've had several major setbacks that were no fault of my own and you don't hear me whining that it's not fair. I picked a different path and trudged on. You're 20 years old and years ahead of your peers. You're going to be just fine.

The requirements for the new ATP written can easily and seamlessly be intergrated into regional airline training programs. In fact, I would be surprised if most didn't already exceed the requirements. The only difference would they would have to endorse you for the written prior to your ATP/type-ride.

I never said it wasn't fair :p. I just simply refuse to sign a check for all the money in my savings account. AND take 1/2 a pay cut. I urge others who don't take the test for what ever reason, or can't, to NOT pay for it.

It's not helping the industry. After you get your CPL and the respectable amount of flight time, you don't pay for anything else. ( Types, ATP's etc). Hack after you get 250 hours and a CPL, you shouldn't ever have to pay to fly again.

Paying for this course goes hand & hand with those hated ( I dare to say it) Pay to Play programs. To me it's the same thing.

How was I going to apply for, and be compeitive for, any of the jobs I wanted after 20+ years of flying if I didn't pay for my own ATP?
that comment seems a little BROAD in scope

Why not?

Want to fly transports? Then get rated on transports. If getting qualified is a problem for you then take a hike.

With your logic a PPL and 300 hours of flight time should be sufficient to be hired into a 135 operation, since the only thing that's missing is just the rating, and who needs a silly think like that.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume with that flight time and that age you haven't forked over 15k towards aviation yet. If you have you must be some sort of wizard.

I may have been a little broad.

Sure, if you want to go fly for a competitive cooperate gig, going and renting a PA-44-180 for 5 hours and taking a checkride isn't what I'm saying. BUT there are some people willing to spend 1,500K for an ATP just to apply to a regional.

Second note: No, a 300 hour pilot has no business flying 135. My logic was some people are willing to pay ( Having a CPL) to sit right seat in say a PC12. I have a buddy that tried to do that. OR getting your CPL and paying 10K for 500 hours of "Turbine time". That's what I was getting at.

The reason why we shouldn't pay for that ATP course? The regionals (Most) have the facilities and instructors to take a extra week to offer this course.