Getting ATP at work

[sstearns2]

....

Hello all,

Thanks for replying.

If you're worried about the ATP written, preparing for a 121 capt. upgrade will give you a heart attack. If you need the ATP test brainwashed into your head, you may have to find a more menial occupation. Quit whining!

I'm not worried about the ATP written in the slightest. I just think it's a needless waste of time and money, that's all. I'm not whinning, if fact my posts were not intended to be about me personally, but about the system in general. I think the term brainwashing is a very good description of the methods used by the quick study schools.

Besides flying to ATP standards for the certificate, don't forget the good moral character requirement!

Indeed! I've managed to keep them in the dark to this point...

I'd just like to respectfully point out that it isn't to terribly expensive to get the ATP. My buddy did it with an investment of $1400, including the written and checkride fees.

I guess we have differnet views as to what terribly expensive is. I mean it sounds like your buddy got a good deal, but it's still a lot of money.

I saw you were a CFI. Then you should know that there are some pilots who should NOT get a commercial/ATP license or equivalent. They just don't have what it takes. There must be standards to weed out those who just shouldn't be in command of the controls with my family on board. Know what I mean?

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. The problem is that most of those people are not generally weeded out. If anyone goes to one of the 3 day schools and forks over 2 grand, they will walk out with their comm or ATP (or any other rating for that matter). The people that are weeded out are the otherwise good solid pilots that get bogged down in debt trying to finance useless ratings or the CFI with great skills and attitude that doesn't get the airline job because they couldn't cough up another $1400+ for an ATP.

Q200_FO - Sorry for twisting your post like this.

Scott

 

[WhiteCloud]

Why don't we set resumes apart by available credit card debt? That way the interviewers could see who could 'afford' to get the useless ratings and type ratings and give them credit for it without the applicant having to go thousands deeper in debt.
Scott

Scott, I feel your pain. It's frustrating to get qualified and certified to do a job and then have those qualifications minimized by a job market that doesn't show proper respect for those qualifications. Some of the guys I work with (in my part time job outside of aviation) do not have college degrees but do a great job at what they do. Maybe better than some guys who went to college and got qualified and certified to do similar work. The thing is though that without some certification qualifications and standards there would be no way to insure that people met at least some level of competence in their field. I know some Private pilots that display exceptional abilities and some ATP's that don't. I know some guys with no college that outperform guys with PHD's. That is usually the exception though. If you get the ATP you won't have to explain why you don't have it and have to waste time explaining to your interviewer that your really just as good as one and that it isn't really important anyway.

 

[SizzleChest]

Hey Guys keep this in mind. If your company does not allow you to circle in less than VFR or something and you type/ATP in the same ride you will carry a restriction on your ATP for circling in VFR only! My company put out a SOP of sorts that limited circling to 1000/3 or better so instead of getting a type that was limited to circling in VFR (guys who already had ATP cert.) those who typed/ATPd simult. carry that restriction on the ATP until they go with FAA or someone and circle in less than 1000/3 and therefore remove the restriction. Be sure to verify this with your POI/APD/TCE before the ride so you don't get screwed.