Airline Training Academy out of business

[Timebuilder]

In fact, the operators may be charged with FRAUD, and in that case, should not be allowed to "walk away" for several years, unless you include picking up trash as they walk along I-4, of course..

 

[logolight]

You should try instructing for them. I could see this coming from a long way off. It got to the point where you could tell they were putting most of thier energy into Discover air and using the student's tuition to finance it. At one point though tey did show a little remorse and bought some new Elite flight sims and a functional CL-65 flight trainer. But I think that was just to stay competetive with Comair academy. I'll say one thing, Air Orlando is going to bank off of this. I wouldn't be supprised if they buy a few of ATA's aztecs and ramped up thier training program. If the students can get thier money back, they might want to find out.




"CAS checked and...cleared"

 

[flyboy]

If Air Orlando is smart, they won't buy one stinking airplane from ATA. The maintenance on those things was terrible. They had the lowest wage mechanics in the state working for them. There was always something wrong with an airplane.

Also, the students weren't required to pay everything up front, but most do b/c of the "guarantee" of no additional charges for additional training.

Getting the Florida AG involved sounds like a good idea. I only worry that the owners are in too good with Jeb Bush. He came to visit the school while I was there but I don't know what his exact relationship to the Williams was.

 

[Timebuilder]

Thanks for the info. I have a phone call to make.

 

[flywithastick]

Saw a similar situation occurr in another industry many moons ago. It wasn't a bad debt - it was 1st degree felony theft. They gave the money back real quick when the DA told them the difference. You should check into this. good luck.

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

wow, this is terrible, sorry guys...60K up-front? I hope all these poor souls didn't pay cash...and to think, that a few years back I actually considered one of these 90 days/all ratings schools...well, let me remind everyone else then...pay with a credit card, do it at an FBO and do it in $1000 increments...or go to FS

 

[Bouyer]

I WILL HAVE TO ADMIT I DID PAY 50+ THOUSAND DOLLARS
AND WAS SCREWED

 

[JohnDoe]

Lesson learned....

So now get together with your fellow students and DO something about it. Take other people's advice in this thread. Call the attorney general, class action, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Bouyer]

what?

john doe why dont you tell me what kind of lesson was supposed to be learned from this

the ag has already been contacted

 

[Timebuilder]

I know what lesson I would learn:

"Pay as you go".

 

[JohnDoe]

Well.....guess I was echoing some of "ceo of the sofa's" comments about not paying cash, using a credit card, not paying all 60k at once, doing it at an fbo, etc. If my comment offended you, all I can say is "sorry".


Glad to hear the ag has been contacted.

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

Re: what?

what kind of lesson was supposed to be learned from this

don't buy in bulk, this isn't Purina

 

[172driver]

Originally posted by Bouyer about a week ago:

CHECK OUT AIRLINE TRAINING ACADEMY (WWW.FLYHERE.COM) IN ORLANDO GREAT TRAINING AND A GREAT MANAGEMENT TEAM. THEY HAVE SEVERAL TRAINING ROUTES TO CHOOSE FROM. I AM A STUDENT THERE AND I AM COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH ALL SO FAR. I CHECKED OUT ABOUT 10 SCHOOLS BEFORE MAKING MY DECISION.

A great example of why you shouldn't believe everything you read. I've consistently said ATA was a shady operation. Got that impression from one talk with the owner years ago.

I feel terrible for the students and employees and hope they get it all back and more. Let's see if the lawyers can do something productive for once. Amazing... they can get you millions for a hot cup of coffee at McDonalds but I bet ya this will be dragged out for years with no results.

 

[rptrain]

www.flyhere.com used to have a letter on there from an ACA chief pilot praising the program (unfortunately the website is blank now). If someone has a copy of that letter please post it.

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Talked to my friend who goes (went) there. He got a loan through some bank/loan company to pay ATA. I speculate he is still morally/legally obligated to pay the bank but does anyone know what else he can do to give him some leverage?
He also said the rumor is ATA was still taking new students money on Wednesday. So it was probably a sneak attack and ATA didn't realize they were broke until yesterday (sarcasm).
He went to the prosecutor's office today.
ATA the Enron of PFT. Perhaps they can get into politics.