Regional FO's getting their ATP

[Kaman]

I did my Comm ME and the CFI program down at Craig Field near Jax almost 9 years ago and it was a good experience for me. When I went thru they had a retired FAA inspector running their CFI program and he was excellent. It did really SUCK doing FOUR checkrides in the space of 3 weeks, but it was well worth it for what I paid.

 

[Flybywire44]

I'm soon to be a 6th year regional FO. I bought the ATP without all ATPs. I suggest finding a solid CFI and a 250 rate multi. It's an easy checkride.

Yes, the airlines will Type you for free. But many FOs are competing for jobs domestically and overseas. Some people refuse a mediocrity seniority system.

 

[340drvr]

Did my ATP years ago through All-ATP's, already had the written done, self-study (personally, I wouldn't bother with the written-prep course, just get the big red book and dig in.) Had well over the 1500hr minimum, had lots of piston-multi time already. To me, the hard part, as it would be at any fixed-price "quickie" program, was trying to get comfortable and smooth in the PA-44 (or any other unfamiliar aircraft) in only a handful of practice hours. If I had been able to take the ride in the planes I was current in, (part 135, twin Cessna's), it would have been a cake-walk. That said, it can be done, simple enough for anybody used to the checkride routine; if a candidate wanted to really be sure of an easy pass, budgeting a few more flight hours for familiarization with the aircraft to be used would certainly help. To the OP, looks like you've had previous PA44 time, probably a non-issue.

 

[CorpCaptain]

Many years ago I did my ATP with ATP JAX. Instructor was a complete a**hole. I stopped the checkride before he could. Spent another night and did it the next day with a different instructor. Subsequently passed and found out the reason the other instructor was such a dick was because he had a ATC golf tourney to make the day of my checkride. Never will forget that one.

 

[ultrarunner]

Can't you get the ATP when you're up for your next PC?

 

[say again]

Can't you get the ATP when you're up for your next PC?

Are you talking about regional FO's? If so, I believe they do not allow that.

 

[PA44Jockey]

Can't you get the ATP when you're up for your next PC?

In the past most part 121 companies wouldn't allow it. There has been rumor that current companies are going to be giving their current FOs an ATP on their next PC because of the new legislation, but I am not sure if any have actually done so yet.

 

[eaglemaster]

If your looking to get back into flying and you have been out for a while or longer, then get you ATP. It will answer the question of scrutiny when asked by an interviewer, " So you havent flown 121/135 in a while. Tell us what you have been doing to prepare your- -self for this job" .... pause..I then say " I have my new ATP"

 

[I Hate Freight]

What was he doing flying a 320 without an ATP anyways????

Do the FARs require an f/o to have an ATP?

"Anyways" is not a word.

 

[BigPappa]

If the First Officers leave the regionals for the legacies while the Captains stay because they can't justify the move financially (or emotionally), the regionals will get extremely top-heavy. I wonder if that crossed management's minds.

Sounds like another bitter FO comment............Yawn.

 

[say again]

Do the FARs require an f/o to have an ATP?

"Anyways" is not a word.

No they don't.

Are you an English teacher?

 

[I Hate Freight]

No they don't.

Are you an English teacher?

You are correct.

Yes, I am.

 

[Tram]

He was an FO for a foreign carrier. This was several yrs ago as well.

I saw a handful of guys bust the ATP at ATP..

Had one guy literally crying his eyes out yelling about dog and pony shows and bollocks.. He was upset!

Examiner told him to "go direct to" as best I remember and he went to the first fix on his flight plan, or something like that, as that was how the difference was between the US and Africa where he had been flying..

I took him to a different examiner for his recheck and he did fine..

 

[joepilot29]

Yes they have dangled the ATP carrot to us at Comair. The latest excuse is that company is waiting on FAA approval on something they have been working on since October. They even put out a memo saying it was approved but they were waiting on "verbal approval." Whatever that means. Sounds like the FAA has changed their minds on this. Heard from a friend at Compass they were revoking ATP's. He had his initial checkride 2 weeks ago and few days later the FAA snatched his ATP.

FO's have been calling in sick left and right before their sims in hopes this will be resolved soon. I have my checkride in 3 days but I am not even going to bother calling in sick. Rather get it over with even though we still have the industry leading sick call policy. That's about all we have left at Comair.

Looks like I will again have to pay for yet another rating only to lose money on the investment. Pretty much sums up the modern airline pilot career.

 

[PA44Jockey]

Yes they have dangled the ATP carrot to us at Comair. The latest excuse is that company is waiting on FAA approval on something they have been working on since October. They even put out a memo saying it was approved but they were waiting on "verbal approval." Whatever that means. Sounds like the FAA has changed their minds on this. Heard from a friend at Compass they were revoking ATP's. He had his initial checkride 2 weeks ago and few days later the FAA snatched his ATP.

FO's have been calling in sick left and right before their sims in hopes this will be resolved soon. I have my checkride in 3 days but I am not even going to bother calling in sick. Rather get it over with even though we still have the industry leading sick call policy. That's about all we have left at Comair.

Looks like I will again have to pay for yet another rating only to lose money on the investment. Pretty much sums up the modern airline pilot career.

While I am sure that in the end they want you to leave, they know if they give you an ATP right now, that you will most likely bail the very next day. They probably can't afford for everyone to just jump ship.

 

[damnflyboy]

Sounds like another bitter FO comment............Yawn.

How is this a bitter FO comment? It's an observation of the regional business model for labor. Higher turnover equates to lower costs and less unity among labor. Nothing more, nothing less. And for the record, I don't blame my captain counterparts for their decision to stay.

As for "another bitter FO comment"... The only thing bitter around here is the white frothy protein on the back of your throat which you revealed so clearly during your yawn.