Screwed By Airline Training Academy

[100LL... Again!]

Let's make sure we have the facts, and then we can each go to our respective pilot groups and do a grass-roots jumpseat ban.

If this is true, these guys should be treated like Lorenzo would.

Can someone verify the info, including name and description, then we can get the word out. I'm furloughed, but I still talk to some of our pilots, as well as my former company. Word gets around fast in this business.

Also, someone should follow up and see where they start spending money.

The guy who did this is a disgrace to the profession and is DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE A PILOT. Anyone who lets him jumpseat knowingly better allow freedon jumpseaters too.

He makes scabs look good.

 

[Bouyer]

not just one

this is not just one guy this is a whole family

jim williams chairman of ata part owner (dad)
scott williams vp of operations, g.m., part owner (son)
robert williams vp of flight ops., part owner also airline pilot (son)
jeff williams pres.of ata part owner (son)
melissa williams cfo.,treasurer part owner
christine williams vp of student services part owner

 

[embdrvr]

It's a long shot but if it's willful fraud maybe someone could get the FAA to look at yanking that ATA pilot's ATP certificate. See FAR 61.153(c) - ATP must be of good moral character.
Don't ask me the details but I know of a DC-3 captain that had his ATP certificate suspended for mooning a group of CAP cadets while taxiing. They busted him for not having good moral character believe it or not. If someone can their ticket suspended for a mooning certainly someone that extorts money from students could have their ticket yanked for a while.
Whoever this character is if the allegations are true I hope he rots in hell.

 

[vtchaz]

ATA Student List yahoo group

Hey guys, I've started a yahoo group to keep us all together on the SAME message board with a database we can all add our names and contact info to. That way we can keep track, make sure we all the the necessary information as quickly as possible, and any lawyers that do get involved, state or private, have a way to contact us. I don't want anyone falling through the cracks. If we have any chance at getting anything, it's got to be together. Pass the word along on any other internet message boards you know of and of course to all the students you know. Good Luck, hope this helps in some small way.


[email protected]

 

[Alaskaairlines]

Sure would be nice to see the FAA to take action! LOL about that DC-3 Capt, was that in Alaska? Did he ever get his certificate back?

 

[ILS JNKY]

ata

Discover Air flys out of KSFB where they have hanger space leased.

 

[bobbysamd]

ATA

I've already posted these ideas on another ATA thread, so forgive me for being redundant. I just want all to see.

Chunk is correct. I'm not a lawyer, but it sure sounds that what this guy has pulled satisfies all the elements of fraud. Victims need to speak with a lawyer, and soon. Also, the local district attorney and U.S. Attorney. The U.S. Attorney might be interested because the man and his establishment were governed by federal regulations. I don't know if the place was a 141 school, but even if it wasn't it still had to observe the FARs for maintenance and pilot training. Also other federal laws if it had any dealings at all with federal student loans! Maybe interstate commerce provisions as well.

Hope these ideas help. Good luck to all.

 

[AutoTransfer]

Part 61

As of about june/july 2000 it was no longer a 141 school.

AT

 

[Bouyer]

just started

As of about a month they just took there first 141 student, and they were waiting on more instructors to take more students for 141

 

[fraitman]

someone started a web site to assist the people ripped off by ATA. Check out www.screwedbyata.org

Besides getting these guys their money back, there needs to be some kind of legislation to prevent these flight schools from taking large amount of money up front unless they post some kind of bond. This hurts aviation, hurts the economy, as well as can devastate the students that lost so much money.

 

[Skyrunner]

Tryin' to help

Hey Ya'll,

I'm so sorry for all of the ATA students. Not a good way to start a flying career. I hate this kind of stuff. If you guys/gals are going to use as much ammo to take this group of j@ckasses out, here is some more. These people have fun on there own time taking out people like this.


Corporate Accountability Project

An organization of activists dedicated to –you guessed it– holding corporations accountable for their actions. Learn "how to overthrow corporate rule in five not-so-easy steps" at

http://www.corporations.org.
1434 Elbridge St.
Philadelphia, PA 19149
Tel: (215) 743-4884
E-mail: [email protected]


CorpWatch

The San Francisco–based group counters corporate-led globalization through education and activism. Grassroots mobilization is underway at

http://www.corpwatch.org.
PO Box 29344
San Francisco, CA 94129
Tel: (415) 561-6568
E-mail: [email protected]


Democracy Rising

Founded by Ralph Nader in 2001, Democracy Rising is a nonprofit grassroots group advocating corporate reform. Empower yourself at

http://www.democracyrising.com.
320 SW Stark Street, Suite 202
Portland, OR 97204
Tel: (202) 465-2764
E-mail: [email protected]


Public Citizen

Founded by Ralph Nader in 1971, Public Citizen fights for consumer justice and government and corporate accountability. The umbrella organization sponsors six watchdog groups, including Congress Watch and Trade Watch. Take action at

http://www.citizen.org.
1600 20th St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel: (202) 588-1000
E-mail: [email protected]


I wouldn't want Ralph N. houndin' me.

Ya'll take care and good luck,

SR

 

[Robert Cooper]

The ATA situation seems to be similar to The Academy in Lakeland not too long ago. Students came back from (I believe) Winter break to find the school had closed down. Yet anither "pilot mill" goes belly-up and leaves the hopes and aspirations of many students grounded.

A story told far too often.

My name is Robert Cooper. My wife and I own National Aviation at St. Pete-Clearwater Int'l (PIE). National is one of the oldest flight schools in Florida, having been around since 1968, and one of the first Cessna Pilot Centers. We also own the FBO where National is located: Air-1 Aircraft, the newest FBO in the Tampa Bay area. Air-1 houses Challengers, Lear 60's, Citations, Saberliners, and is regularly visited by G-V's, Global's, Falcon's and other corporate aircraft.

We became a Part 141 school in Sept. 2001. Our Part 141 certificate includes Pvt., Inst., Comm. and Multi. We have had many, many students go through our program. Many stay with us after they earn their CFI; others have gone on to the Regionals and beyond.

We were able to help some of The Academy students, and we may be able to help the ATA students as well.

We don't offer "guaranteed" jobs, marketing hype, etc. You don't wear epaulets and cheap shirts and pants while training. We don't blast you through a program on a strict timetable. We do not make impossible, overhyped promises. You won't see expensive, slick magazine ads. You get what you pay for, and nothing less. And we have a sense of humor.

We DO promise you this: When you leave National Aviation, you will be a competant, safe, and confident pilot. You will have trained in well-maintained, newer Cessna, Piper Seminole, and AMD aircraft. After that, the future is up to you. But you WILL go to job interviews with the secure knowledge that your ability will be easily noticed by the interviewee.

If I can be of service to any of you, please contact David Cunningham, Director of Operations, or Tom Jamin, Chief Flight Instructor at 727-531-3545. Or e-mail: [email protected]. Our website is www.national-aviation.com.

It is sad to hear of these situations and the human tragedy they cause. We would like to do a little something to help.

Robert Cooper, President
National Aviation Holdings, Inc.
e-addy: [email protected]