ALL ATP - Sacramento

[21Foxtrot]

Hello,

I'm specifically interested in the 90 day Fast Track program at Sacramento. I'm looking for any past/present students or CFIs to chime in on their experience. (I plan to enroll with my PPL).

Not especially relevant, but long term goal is 91 flying... Anyone come from this program who eventually (not right from the program, but perhaps after instructing for a bit) got on with a 91 operator? Would like to hear about your experience.

How likely is it to be hired by ALLATP as a CFI (again, any specifics SAC would be great).

Pros/Cons training from this location? How did you find:

Instructors?
A/C?
Maintenance?

At the end of the day, was it worth all that $$$?

Thanks in advance.

 

[svcta]

My god, man, save your money. There is NO job in this industry worth "fast-tracking" your way to right now. Besides, if you've got the money to plunk down on their program, you can do it yourself for MUCH less money at your local flight school. Tell your instructor what you want to do, maybe pair up with another motivated student, and there's no reason you can't do it yourself. I know people who've done it both ways. I'd rather come away with more money in my pocket and without the stigma of a rating mill.

All if this ESPECIALLY if your goal is to stay in 91. Explore doing it on your own. Maybe your flight school will work with you on $$ if you tell them what you want to do(don't give ANY flight school a bunch of $$ all at once, though).

 

[21Foxtrot]

SVCTA, thanks for input. I have looked into going all the way via an FBO. In the end it probably doesn't make a difference where you get your tkts from, as long as you're a confident and capable pilot.

The part of ATP that appeals to me (aside from the positive feedback on this forum) is the structured & accelerated nature of the program. It might be called "Fast Track," but I'm not trying to cut any corners in persuing this career and certainly am not interested in a PFT program. If I can effectively get all my ratings (including the CFI tkts), in about 3 months and be eligible to instruct somewhere, that could be a huge difference in the long run.

...or not?

If I go the FBO route, I need to find a school & instructor that can provide that type of accelerated, full time curriculum. Not to say there aren't FBOs that can do this, but at the same time there are a fair amount of mom & pop operations that might be too relaxed for my needs.

Another point is the money I would save going through an FBO can be used towards building ME when the time comes... or is that a waste of money too (just build it via multi instructing)?

Thanks again for the response.

 

[Huggyu2]

Where in Sac-Town do you live?

 

[21Foxtrot]

I'm not in Sac right now, but would be in the Bay Area/ Sac this Spring if I decide to go with the 141 training. Why do you ask? Do you instruct in the area?

 

[Metro752]

I know a guy who did a lot of his ATP program at SAC just got hired by ExpressJet. Never heard him say anything bad about it, it's school.

ATP is not 141.

 

[21Foxtrot]

Metro, thanks for the info... I'm curious, how much TT/ME did your friend have when he got on with ExpressJet? I assume he instructed for a while? If so, did he teach at ATP?

Thanks for clarifying re: 141

 

[svcta]

I'm telling you, there's no rush to get done in 90 days. I know it seems like it might be the difference between make or break, but it's just not true. The difference between getting it done in 3 months VS. 4 or even 5 is nothing(not that I think it would take longer). I watch a couple of friends do this at a fairly "mom & pop" flight school 10 years ago and they sailed right through. It takes a little planning, a lot of motivation, and nothing more than access to the proper a/c. It doesn't matter who's renting you the planes as long as they're reliable. I would assume that you could find a reasonable flight school in such a large metro area. Besides, if I were still instructing I would look at this as a cool challenge. And students who were that motivated would have been a blessing. I would have done anything for them.

One man's opinion, but understand that ATP doesn't offer anything that can't be done out in the world at large. And it doesn't matter what you do with the saved $$, but not oweing somebody, especially in this biz is huge. 'Cause you ain't gonna make much for a looooooong time. Believe it.

 

[Huggyu2]

No, I don't have time to teach right now, but I was going to point you toward some instructors/schools. Since you're not here, nevermind.