IMHO:
If/when SW starts calling for interviews, they will probably be calling almost exclusively from the 'Typed' stack of candidates. A small number of 'not yet typed' candidates might get a call, but if so, from the very top of that stack. SW can no longer hold employment candidates in a 'pool'. So they will want to interview candidates ready to start training NOW, not after some six month period in which you get your type.
YMMV

Well, I now have my ATP after my trip to AZFTC.

Here are my big picture take aways.

1. The owner Rick genuinely cares about his business and clientele. The place is built for military fighter pilots who want to fill the square.

2. You cannot go there and expect to be awarded your ATP based upon your charm and good looks. You will have to put in the 6-9 hours of study prior to the course and then pay attention to what Rick is telling you. He has a very good feel for what the examiners will ask and he has a LOT of experience -- over 7k hours in light GA aircraft.

3. I felt the examiner delivered a thorough but fair ground eval, and a big picture check ride.

4. The days were longer than expected -- 10+ hours on Weds/Thurs and on Friday my ground eval began around 6:15am and lasted about 1-1.5 hours. The flight was a 3.1 and ended about 12:30pm. The 1st 2 days were (probably) long because I had heard a ground eval went very poorly a few weeks prior and Rick wanted to make sure that I both knew what I was talking about and he wanted to allay my fears. I'll take partial blame since I majorly stressed-out and got almost no sleep the night before the 1st class after hearing about the near-bust -- instead of taking a 1 hour lunch I went back to the 'q and took a 2 hour nap!

5. There were a few negatives; however, I didn't think any of them significantly detracted from the overall quality of the program. Rick's equipment is all airworthy, but it has its issues. I had an HSI that badly precessed which is something I've never had to deal with before. My mag compass and HSI would develop up to 30 degrees of heading difference in what felt like under 10 minutes, made it very challenging to intercept courses when I wasn't paying close attention to the mag. There were a couple of goofy gauge readings which we had to alibi to the DE prior to the flight but he took it in stride. In addition, Rick is a really nice guy but his information to story ratio is about 2:1. The overall class time could be cut down if he spent a little less time on the stories and more time on the material. Maybe that's just the concise fighter pilot in me, but especially on my first day when I knew I had a limited time of useful consciousness, I was very frustrated when we spent a large part of the morning talking about the business, the FAA, and other random stories.

6. If you want your ATP sooner is better than later. Beginning 1 August of next year it will be considerably more expensive and take a LOT longer to get your ATP. Businesses like AZFTC and AllATPs will no longer exist in the format in which they operate now.

7. If I had to do it all over knowing what I know now? I'd absolutely do it all over at AZFTC (without stressing before day of of class...).

anyone have any experience with ATP in atlanta (KPDK)? I signed up for the 2 day course for next week and I was wondering if it were military-friendly?

Thanks!

What is changing?

from an FAA press release dated 10 July 2013....

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate–multi-engine airplane

Prior rules

• At least 23 years old;
• Hold commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating;
• Pass ATP knowledge and practical tests; and
• 1,500 hours total time as pilot.

New rules

• Meet all requirements in prior rules;
• Have at least 50 hours in a multi-engine airplane; and
• Successfully complete new ATP Certification Training Program prior to taking the ATP knowledge test (after July 31, 2014).

It's that last rule...a new ATP Cert Training Program...that's going to make getting an ATP more expensive and a bigger redass come August 1, 2014.

Anybody know of a good program in San Antonio? I'm thinking of trying to knock it out while TDY there.

Also, I'm a couple hundred hours short of 1500. Any reason not to get the restricted ATP now?

I think the restricted is a good idea. I flew out of SA to Phoenix to get mine, there are no quickie 3 day programs in SA that I'm aware of.

AllATP's in Dallas is where a lot of people I know have gone. I did mine there in 2005. Easy, simple process. DE was a cool dude that had the big picture. I think his name was Weems. From SA, it would be about 3 hours drive. You can do it on a Fri, Sat, Sun with time to spare. You guys need to get this done so we can get some of our mil bros hired! I'm talking to far to many who are delaying for no reason. Eventually you have to have it.

How about OKC?

Thanks for the words about AllATP in Dallas.

Unless you are getting typed in a 737 or comparable commericial jet (and then your company will train you how to fly it their way), the ATP practical is the equivilent of the Masters Degree in the military. You are not going anywhere without it, but it is completely worthless. The only thing it shows is that you are willing to spend some time and money to get hired. Guess it is as good a way as any to sort the applicants.