Huggy-

I looked at using the VA to pay my DPE fee, and it was going to burn 2-3 months of benefits, just for the $650. vs 6 months of benefits for a $7k+ payout if I used it for a 737 type.

IMHO, it's probably not worth using for just the DPE fee, unless say you have just a couple months of benefits left and want to burn them.

Personally, I plan on doing my 737 type + ATP-MEL checkride when I get back from OCONUS, and then when I get to the next "School Year" doing my CFI/CFII/MEI at a local 141 school in the Hampton Roads area, trying to get the max bang for the buck. I have serious doubts about any future offspring (none currently, at least that I'm aware of)actually being able to use my GI Bill, because I feel that's one of the next things to be axed when money is tight.

According to the VA website, you can spend up to ~$1601 for just one month benefit. That was confirmed by the VA lady I spoke to.

Apparently the VA people where I live are less than with it. I was told it was a 2 month minimum for any flight training, test, etc.

Based on my experience they won't cover check rides. Unless you have different info than I do, or personally spoke with someone at the VA (after holding for over an hour I would guess).

I completed my Instrument, Commercial Single/Multiengine, CFI/CFII/MEI using Chapter 30 benefits (Montgomery GI Bill) through part 141, and they wouldn't reimburse ANY of my written tests or check rides... Would love to know if ATP is different, because I still have some benefit remaining and I am getting close to that point. Anyone else have any real experience with this specific situation.

I apologize this isn't a direct answer to your question... A side note... for some reason they DID reimburse for my 3 A&P writtens (but not the practical).

So in your case, you'd still have a "school year" left? Or am I reading the website wrong? If so, what do you think you'd use it on, another type?

This may be true, but at 60% for MGIB that would to mean your monthly flight training costs would be in excess of $2668? And just because someone at the VA confirmed this, doesn't mean it's true. The people who take the calls there are not the decision makers and I've had several instances where false information was given to me because the call taker interpreted the rules incorrectly.

As per my original post, this pertains to the Post 9-11 GI Bill... not the MGIB.

Additionally, the VA website specifically says it will cover "Licenses & Certifications".

Furthermore, it lists the ATP practical on the website as on of the Certifications that are on the approved list.