In Deep
I have mixed feelings regarding ATA. I enrolled there Jan 2001 with a Private license and by mid May had my Instrument and Commercial Multi license. I felt that although the training was not cheap, I received a good education from a very good instructor. That was not the case with some of my friends there. They either had bad instructors or numerous mechanical problems that kept them on the ground. In that regard it was just luck of the draw, and I lucked out.
AirStage II I felt gave me a good understanding of what to expect from an airline. We were taught by "current" Comair check airmen (they were still on strike at the time) who really seemed to know their stuff. I also learned a lot about the ATC system through the flights I took. At the end of it all, I was hired by Eagle, which at the time was the only airline affiliated with ATA. When 9/11 happened I was in Dallas taking my flight physical and received a letter a week later saying I was no longer needed, but to keep my resume current.
Up until that point, I was very satisfied with the program at ATA (and still am). My problem comes in with the refund of my money. ATA came out with a contract gaurentee for ASII of $15000. I had already paid my $30k, but now have a legal document stating I will receive a $15k refund 90 days after completion of ASII. 90 days was mid-Dec 2001 and still no refund. I will soon be contacting a lawyer to collect my money since ATA will no longer talk to me. There are other people in similar situations and from what I hear, there may also be a class action lawsuit in the works.
Another rumor I have recently heard is that they don't have enough money to consistantly meet payroll. Some of the Comair instructors I had will no longer teach there because they don't always get paid. Sounds to me like they spent too much money on their prize CL65 Simulator, Jet trainers, and expanding their building.
The big negative to ATA is that you aren't going to get a Single Commercial License or a CFI. I spent the time and money to get a Single Commercial after the fact and am now working on my CFI. My recomendation would be to find a local FBO and get your licenses and ratings there, and then go to one of the bigger schools for their "airline prep" courses, if that is your ultimate goal. Earning your CFI along the way can only help you in the long run.
The bottom line is that no matter where you go, be willing to spend whatever the price is they are advertising. There is no school in existance where you don't have the possibility of having a negative experience.
Good luck.
