Don't worry about becoming a proficient pilot. That takes time and near death experiences...Just get your ratings and keep making progress at all stages and in all aspects of your life.

There is no such thing as being perfect aim for progress in life and you won't be disappointed.

-LAFF

WOW!! those are really inspirational words. Thanks

Hi again,

So ATP sounds like a good place to train- big fleet of ME aircraft, set price, little waiting, nationwide XCs, and one can get done fast. But can ATP grads get CFI jobs anywhere else besides ATP?? My old FBO told me they wouldn't hire one, so I really wonder.

Next question-- can ATP trained grads get jobs at regional airlines other than Air Wisconsin, Express Jet, PSA... it seems like the options for regional placement and the "agreements" that ATP has with airlines are kind of narrow, or is that just me?

As always, thanks everyone.

I hear it's really difficult aswell. ATP is not worth it if you're not planning on going to the airlines. But if you are, then ATP is the place to go. If you're over 25, be ready to deal with alot of immature young instructors. From personal experience, it's discouraging and frustrating when your instructor lets you know from the beginning that he's just there to build multi.

You should already determined that by my posts, and how ATP functions. Look at their website, it shows how many ATP instructors have been hired by the airlines. And as for "immature" instructors, you will find immature people at every job, place, and different age level no matter where you work, there will always be one. When I was in ATL as a student, there was only one guy younger than me, and I was 26 at the time, and he was my instructor. He was far from mature, and was a very good pilot. He was 23. As for me, I am 27 and a naval officer. A good number of ATP's instructors are people who are changing their career, 95% of the instructors that I have worked with were over 21 and had a college degree. Some over 40 years old. But just b/c we are here to build time, doesn't mean that you aren't going to get good instruction. It is our responcibility as pilots and instructors to do so.

Ok LAFrequent Flyer and CTD57, duly noted. I understand now wher eyou are comming from. You are basically saying that professional flight training is different from GA flight training. To go through professional flight training is similar to military training (fast and furious). I agree with you onthat note.

ANd thanks for the comments but I was actually enlisted for a long while. SO, I am a 37 year old 0-3 and I am in the Army Guard. Later

Okay, I was just curious about your background. ATP also offers a 10 month self paced program which is for working individual like yourself. I wasn't sure if you knew about that program. It is not as fast paced as the 90 day course, but it gets you headed in the right direction, and gets all your ratings done in a reasonable amount of time.

I have a couple of comments to add here. I considered going to ATP to get my MEI, but after a couple of phone conversations with their instructors, I decided not to, as I actually had more multi-engine time than they did and I dont have much. I know that everyone has to start somewhere, but I didnt particularly want to pay for that sort of "professional" training.

If you go, they expect you to have the knowledge part of the work done prior to arrival. There is no way they could pour it all into you in the short time that you will be working with them.

I did a fair amount of research about them before I even talked with them and they do have a pretty good reputation for what they do. Just remember, they are only teaching you how to pass a test.

A couple of the FBOs in my area want you to have trained at the FBO before they will hire you as a CFI. But, there are always exceptions.

A long time FedEx pilot once told me that you should get your licenses done as quickly as possible, because you'll have plenty of time to get your "experience" later.

I dont think the comparison that has been made here between "GA" training at an FBO and "professional" training at a slam dunk school is valid. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

I agree with that, each does have its own strength and weaknesses. But I believe that the strengths of "professional flight training" at any given school out way the strengths of FBO training. But that is my opinion. How many multi hours did you have when you called ATP, I am just curious. Because most people that come to ATP to do the CFI course, have less than 100 hours multi, and they are coming there so they can get hired as a multi intructor and build time. Most ATP instructors have a 150 hours or more of multi time when they get hired.

ctd57,

I am not looking at going to ATP. I am a commercial multi engine piot with 500 hours. My next thing is my CFI and I am going somewher eI can use my GI Bill for that.