ATP vs Skymates

[meyers9163]

Well since Epic no longer has the program I was looking at it now brings my choices down to two. I am between ATP and Skymates as to where I will do my training in Janurary 2007. I have yet to visit either place and I know once I do i will have a better sense. However I know right now ATP is roughly going to cost 54K where Skymates will run about 43K. With ATP its housing included with all of it, and Skymates only 3 months, where it would take at least 6 to finish. Of course ATP is a locked in price and Skymates no such thing..... Multi time is about the same and things arent really that different minus of course ATP has the reputation of putting people into the airlines and a lot more than Skymates. Anyways with that all said where would you choose between these two and why? I want honest oppinions and need good advice from people willing to HELP.... Thank you in advance for the words of advise....

 

[skipro101]

I would choose skymates.

I got my multi commercial at skymates.

The way I see it, neither are perfecet, but you can bet on ATP treating you like a customer, and skymates treating you like a friend...ATP is more corporate-ish, skymates is more familyish.

ATP is the kind of place I would expect fees, collection agencies, uniforms, corporate bs.

skymates is the type of place i would expect to get what I pay for, to hang out with the owner and friends at a new years party (nice party too ;]), and to make my own decisions.


Both good programs, but in my opinion, skymates was better for my personality and fear of corporate companies taking my money.

;]
take it or leave it

 

[captjim]

At Expressjet we seem to hire a ton of ATP people due to them getting a ton of multi time really quick. Good luck in your choice.

 

[aviator1978]

Go to ATP. The multi-time is valuable. But then go somewhere else and instruct. Don't become one of the robots popping out of there, ready to jump on the first RJ job at 14 grand. Once you have your instructors ratings, find a good FBO that's busy and get some "actual flight experience".

Have fun.

 

[skipro101]

Skymates program gives you 200 multi. Their CFIs usually leave with 5-700+ multi.

So that balances out any advantage of multi at ATP, you get the same multi time at skymates.

Again, my vote goes to skymates.

 

[pianoman]

The only "uniform" I wore at ATP was a company polo shirt as an instructor. I think that was optional, if I remember correctly.

I had a good experience there, some others I know haven't liked it. We DO have a lot of people at XJT from there and they usually fly pretty well.