how is ATP's 1 day ATP written program

[Da Vinci]

looks like for 300 bucks i get an ATP written in one day. doesn't anyone have 1st hand experience in this?

 

[flyboydk]

I did it a couple months back, you get to sit in front of their computer and run through their questions that they have narrowed down from the FAA's question bank. I ran through every question twice, tried to memorize or guess on the weight and balance stuff, and pulled a 94% after being there for about 4 or 5 hours including lunch. Its worth it if you don't want to spend weeks studying the gleim book and instead knock it out in half a day with no previous studying.

 

[CoATP]

My experience was about the same. It is not a teaching course but one on passing the test. If you do not have the knowledge ... study. There is little retention from this "class" beyond the time the test is taken. Their whole ATP short program is designed for those that are current already and want to knock out the rating. I did it after six months of single pilot IFR in the winger in the Rocky Mtns. I was already current and up to standards. If you are not there already don't do it.

 

[Northern Lights]

What about Sheppard Air's ATP prep? It looks like the same thing as ATP's, but it;s only $75 and you can study from home. I was thinking about signing up for it. I've studied that stupid Gleim book on and off for over 4 years and have never gotten around to taking the test.

http://www.sheppardair.com/trainingaids.htm

 

[TheBeaver]

If you go to ATP, ask for a copy of the gouge sheet when you sign in.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Did it about 10 years ago, pretty painless, pulled a 98 on the written. Did an FE written with them two years ago, same results.

 

[Sawmill]

...or, you could be responsible, actually learn the material, take the test, and then feel confident that your ATP rating, once you pass the practical, is a true measure of your knowledge and ability. However, if you do decide to be a slacka$$, would you at least have the common courtesy to inform us all who you currently fly for, and who you fly for in the future, so we dont have to put our and our families' lives in your hands? Thanks.

 

[minitour]

...or, you could be responsible, actually learn the material, take the test, and then feel confident that your ATP rating, once you pass the practical, is a true measure of your knowledge and ability. However, if you do decide to be a slacka$$, would you at least have the common courtesy to inform us all who you currently fly for, and who you fly for in the future, so we dont have to put our and our families' lives in your hands? Thanks.

Because operating an aircraft in a safe proficient manner has anything to do with a score on a government-run-standardized-multiple-choice test.

I think there's good to learning the material...I've been studying for this thing for almost 2 years now. Sometimes, it's just better to knock out the written exam and get it done.

You won't pass the practical without the knowledge/ability anyway.

-mini

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

...or, you could be responsible, actually learn the material, take the test, and then feel confident that your ATP rating, once you pass the practical, is a true measure of your knowledge and ability. However, if you do decide to be a slacka$$, would you at least have the common courtesy to inform us all who you currently fly for, and who you fly for in the future, so we dont have to put our and our families' lives in your hands? Thanks.

Quickly thinking back I have taken 11 different FAA writtens over the years, never scored less than 95 on any of them(PVT, Inst,comm,FOI,CFI,AGI,CFII,IGI,ATP,FE twice two years apart,,....and exactly zero of them has really helped me in real world flying. It is a standardized test that fills in a check mark for some paper pusher somewhere. Any competent 7th grader could pass an FAA written with a little prep time.

The practical and the oral are the ones that count.

 

[Sawmill]

OoooKaaaaay....could I have that name of the airline you work for now? (Im feeling like I need more than ever now)

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

OoooKaaaaay....could I have that name of the airline you work for now? (Im feeling like I need more than ever now)

My how times change huh. The experience gets less and the ego gets larger with every RJ put into service!! 1800 hours huh?

Sorry I can't give you a ride right now unless you are a box being shipped somewhere overseas, but since I am being furloughed off the Whale and my old airline is finally starting to recall after five years it looks like I may be back in the people hauling business soon so I will let you know.:laugh:

 

[imacdog]

I hated plodding through the computer "prep" for the written at All ATPs but I did pass the test with a good score. As others have said, some of the questions really have nothing to do with real world flying. The oral and practical test were done with a 121 check airman and I feel I truly earned my ATP during the checkride. Overall a good experience.

 

[Sawmill]

I know my limitations...or at least I am pretty sure when I am approaching them. As for ego, I know I have no business being in the left seat for a few years! Something I learnied a long time ago is that every flight is a learning experience. As for the ATP test, I studyied the material and didnt even come close to your memorized 98%...I think I scored in the mid 80's as I recall. But I am sure that I have retained more of the material than someone who decided one day they wanted to take their test so they bought 8 hours to learn the questions. Just a thought, would you want a doctor to operate on you if he paid 300 bucks to memorize the test, scored a 71 and then performed surgery? My .02...oh, one more thing, sorry I have not changed my profile...I quit the airlines because the lack of life, coupled with the criminal pay rates just was not for me. I guess now that I think about it, I gave up my seat to someone who is less experienced than my inexperience.
Kerosene: Do you like flying boxes or people better?

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

I know my limitations...or at least I am pretty sure when I am approaching them. As for ego, I know I have no business being in the left seat for a few years! Something I learnied a long time ago is that every flight is a learning experience. As for the ATP test, I studyied the material and didnt even come close to your memorized 98%...I think I scored in the mid 80's as I recall. But I am sure that I have retained more of the material than someone who decided one day they wanted to take their test so they bought 8 hours to learn the questions. Just a thought, would you want a doctor to operate on you if he paid 300 bucks to memorize the test, scored a 71 and then performed surgery? My .02...oh, one more thing, sorry I have not changed my profile...I quit the airlines because the lack of life, coupled with the criminal pay rates just was not for me. I guess now that I think about it, I gave up my seat to someone who is less experienced than my inexperience.
Kerosene: Do you like flying boxes or people better?

That is the problem with the FAA tests. You can know the material inside and out, know everything you need to know and more about the rating you are going for, be able to ace the oral and practical, in the case of the CFI sometimes a 5 or 6 hour oral (6 hours was the case at my flight school) and still not be able to pull a high 90's score unless you rote study the FAA questions. Why? Because with the exception of a few of the FAR questions the tests really have nothing to do with flying. And in some cases, questions and the accompaning official answer published by the FAA are flat out wrong. I cannot remember the exact question, it has been too long but there used to be a question on the CFI test that was famous at my school. It was aerodynamic related, but if you actually tried to use the knowledge in flight as the FAA had it written in the test you would most likely kill yourself in the process!

Take type ratings for instance, I have done my share over the years and they are by far the toughest orals and practicals out there(other than the CFI orals at many places), but no written required. Why? Well for starters type ratings actually test your knowledge of the aircraft and systems as well as procedures and what if's, something that not a single FAA written test does.

The tests do serve the purpose of weeding out the crowd that is too lazy to study I guess, If a potential pilot is too lazy to study enough to pass a written, then they will surely be too lazy to be expected to keep current on all the important stuff!

The answer to your question? Boxes.....any day of the week....best job I ever had was flying the whale hauling rubber dog doo out of Hong Kong. Considering that I worked for a second rate 747 freight outfit and it was loads better than hauling people around for a legacy with more time off and less daily B.S. from TSA etc and the same money as a current legacy, FED-Ex or UPS has become my ultimate job of choice. Freight lifestyle, with the pay that the Legacys used to provide.

 

[Sawmill]

Kerosene: Disregard my previous posts...I was on a high horse for some reason. I hate listening to people when they are spouting off like I was. And besides, I cant remember a time since my ATPw that I needed to figure a W&B for a B1900, DC9, a 73, or a 72 so Id have to agree with you. By the way, I had an 8 hour oral on my CFI...because the DE was being checked out by the FAA and he thought he had better be thorough...It made for an interesting practical since I had never done any of the manuvers with all the extra weight and different CG.
I almost went the freight route when I quit the airlines in June. Would have loved to had made it to FedEx or UPS one day but it is not to be. I sort of figured that box flying was better than people flying. Sorry to hear you are being furloughed. Sawmill

 

[70-SS]

Best 300 bucks ever spent. plus it is a tax write off. The Co. did the atp and type ride.