ATP Airline Career Program

[jali2003]

I just finished my private pilot certificate at my local FBO. I am now thinking of training with ATP at either their Riverside or Sacramento locations. Has anyone heard anything about their 90-day fast track program? Anyone know any of the pros or cons vs a local FBO?
Thanks

 

[DX Rick]

I only got my Multi at ATP, but have several friends that went through thier Aline Program. They never said a bad word about the place.

From what I heard and expierenced

Pros:
-Very well structured.
-You get you're ratings finished up fast (if time is an issue for you)
-Don't have to worry about and airplane being down for mx, like you do with a FBO. Especially when doing your twin training. The FBO I worked at, both twins were down all the time. My friend started his twin training at the FBO the same time I started mine at ATP. I was finished in 4 days, he was done 3 months later because of mx.
- The prices were the same or cheaper than the FBO I worked at.
- You're building twin time after your private rating, and not wasting time and money in single engine airplanes.

Cons:
When I did my twin rating there, I was trained just to pass the check ride. I really didn't learn to "fly" the twin until I was flying the FBO's twin.
- Very intense program, and seems at time that you're not learning everything that you need to be.

In the end, I wish I would have done the whole ATP program. I had to cxl training many times because the instructor was too hung over, or the airplane was broken. When I went for my private ride, it was 7 months after I had started, but I had only logged 42 hours. with a good airplane, it should have taken me 1-2 months.

I recomend it.

 

[GAcfi]

Options

Have you considered other career options. If you heart is set on aviation I know that no one can change your mind.

My training was part 61 and between the demands of a full time job and college it was slow. If you have the money and the time, go for the accelerated program like ATP and then spend the next 20yrs paying it off, while you are making 20K in the right seat. But as I've said, if you really want it, you don't care about the money do you? What an industry.

 

[citabriapilot]

I fly out of CRG in Jacksonville, FL, ATP's main base. I did my multi there and have given some tailwheel instruction to some of their instructors. Great group of professional CFI's. Of all the flight schools out there, I think ATP is the best way to go. You log multi cross country time in the IFR system during the time building phase and once done with the 90 days fast track, if you are a decent pilot, they put you on as an instructor. I have a friend who instructs for them at CRG who has been flying for only 12 months (private to CFI) and just got a job at ExpressJet. Drives me crazy cause I've been at this for nearly 6 years. If the airlines is where you want to be, then ATP will get you there.

Check out www.allatps.com and look at the recent hires page. All the guys and girls from CRG have been flying for less then a year and a half and are hired.

It is true that they train to the checkride. The whole experience is basically just gouge to pass. You have to study hard and be prepared before you go. You will have to study the written tests on your own. No crybabies allowed and they WON'T hold your hand. Its a rigorous fast paced program and I see guys wash out all the time. Not to say they didn't deserve it, but they aren't going to waste your money by dragging you along when it is obvious flying isn't for you.

I say go for it

 

[lymanm]

CFI hiring

I instruct in a lazy part 61 school, almost 100% private students.

Anyone know the odds of an instructor who did not go through their Airline program getting hired as an instructor? I did my ME Com with them a few years ago, but other ratings were done elsewhere. Add this: I'm considering doing my CFII/MEI there to both get the ratings and increase chances of working there.

 

[cougar6903]

I instruct in a lazy part 61 school, almost 100% private students.

Anyone know the odds of an instructor who did not go through their Airline program getting hired as an instructor? I did my ME Com with them a few years ago, but other ratings were done elsewhere. Add this: I'm considering doing my CFII/MEI there to both get the ratings and increase chances of working there.

Slim to none. They've only hired from the outside on a few occasions, and only when the really needed to. Today isn't one of those times.

 

[EMB170Pilot]

My personal experience with ATP.

I got my ATP rating at ATP in Ft. Lauderdale and while instructing, flown with students who got ratings at ATP.

Pros and Cons of ATP

Pros
Get a rating within a short amount of time

Cons
While insturcting, flown with numerous students who acquired ratings at ATP (basic ratings) and were WAY BEHIND while flying.
I understand that ATP trains you for the "checkride" but what good is that if you dont know the basics. I could blab on a lot but for the people out there, just be careful when getting ratings at ATP b/c all they do is prepare you for the checkride. I sometimes think they are more interested in YOUR money than making sure you understand the basics. How can a private pilot go through their accelerated course for instrument rating and fully understand instrument flying?? Too much information in that short time.

I needed my ATP rating to fly down in s. florida due to F'in illegal 135 charter operators, insurance required it. Had to do something to build my flight time to get in the airlines.

Just a caution for those thinking about ATP program. Again, Im not knocking ATP, know some instructors who are great that work there, just do not like their setup.

 

[pilotkppsg]

I did the complete CFI program (CFI, CFII, MEI) there at CRG and it was really a good program. It was well structured, fast-paced and got-er-done in 2 weeks! Whereas an initial CFI at my school can take almost an entire year to complete; CFII and MEI take about a month-a-piece due to mx and other associated problems. They send you a big pre-test and you need to study and know the Seminole inside and out before you go down there; they WILL NOT hold your hand, nor will they spoon feed you, they will fire-hose dat a$$. Now, for the ACP people, those guys were pretty sharp and the one ACP guy in my class of 5 finished his the quickest and then got hired their at CRG, no tellin' how much twin time he's gotten since then (June 2003). I wish I had done that program in between summers at college and then instructed for them when I graduate instead of the hum-drum Diamonds and Arrows I fly now. Do you know if they hire people who did the entire CFI program there after a few years? If so, i'm all in.

 

[jaxpilot]

I too did the 2 week CFI program. Just did my CFI SE checkride (the last one you do) today. Got it done cheap and on time. Now its time to find the first instructing job. I would go straight for the ATP job except that I still have 2 years of college to finish and instructing at ATP and college would not work. I might instruct elsewhere through college and then apply at ATP. Thats what one of my instructors at ATP did.

 

[tuna pimp]

Has anybody on this thread gone on to instruct for ATP after finishing the Commerical/Multi program?

How likely is it to get hired, assuming you did a good job in the training program and left a favorable personal impression?
How much flexibility is there on going to instruct at the ATP location of your choice, or are you pretty much at the mercy of the company?
How quickly (in general) do you build time as an instructor there?

I'm considering doing the Airline Pilot career program with them...

thanks for any insights/advice out there.