ATP is a piece of cake, I did mine with a FAA inspector in a Grumman Tiger, fixed gear, single engine, fixed pitch prop. Took less than an hour. Did it so I would never have to take the written again and be able to put ATP on my resume.
I am always high, high on my chosen profession, every day in this business a happy day. It goes back to the days of sitting in the Howard Johnson's in Belleville Michigan back in 1964. Listening to the Zantop pilots talk about their adventure in their C-46's. Having one of their pilots, 'Firecan Haddock" solo me in the C-172 at YIP in 1965. I am still living the dream, and cannot believe I have been so lucky to be where I am today. I guess there is not much of that anymore, particularly on this site. YIP is what you make of it, for a native Michigander who has lived all over the US I kinda like it. No hurricanes, no floods, a couple tornadoes once in while, and ice and snow. However, in Michigan ice and snow is not really a big deal like it is down south, they are equipped to handle it. The season change is something you really enjoy, unlike living in FL. where you go Ho Hum another beautiful day, so what. In Michigan, people call in sick on beautiful days. Flying out of YIP will make you one of the best instrument pilots in the country, YIP ranks up with SEA for the number of IFR days. In YIP you will learn the real meaning of clean airplane, deicing is a way of life you get really good at understanding holdover time. At YIP you will develop flying skills that allow you move onto your career destination, even if you do not care for the area like some guys. It gives them the resume fluff to move to their next job. We all pay our dues in some way; YIP is only one way, some do it in the military, some do it at the commuters. So some other people must have found YIP is an all right place to spend some time. How many major airports are there in the country where you can live 10 minutes from the parking lot on an acre of land for less than 100K? Where else can you still get one dollar fifty drafts at places like the Wedge? As I said at the start YIP is what you make of it, some people say it is OK, others do not like it here and do not apply. Simple choices. I have had a ball and think I am really lucky for the adventure I have had. BTW I suffer from the KYIP curse, my father was building B-24 bombers here 68 years ago when I was born, have worked in every building on the field, I have tried to escape many times, including 11 years in Uncle Sam's Navy, but it keeps calling me back.
no that is where a couple of my buddies without college degrees and with no ATP's went.
