trying to deside between mesa, airsafety or delta connection

[xavier0002]

Hello:



I am trying to decide which school/academy would be a better choice for me. Basically, which one would give me a relatively better shot at working for the airlines.



I already have a BFA degree on Design and Technology, so a 4 year college is out the question, leaving me 3 choices: a 2 year program with an associated degree like the one offered by Mesa, an academy /fast track or a local FBO



A local FBO probably wouldn't be the choice for me, since I don't have that much cash and would rely on loans to pay for the training, plus I would like to do it in the shortest possible time.



Therefore I am considering as my first choices



FlightSafety Academy (http://www.flightsafetyacademy.com/main/index.php)



Mesa Pilot development (http://www.flightcareers.com/adegree.htm)



Delta Connection Academy (http://www.deltaconnectionacademy.com/html/home.html)



Pam Am Academy (http://www.panamacademy.com/career.asp)



Which of the above schools would be the best choice to get an airline pilot's position? Or, if there is a better alternative, please inform me. (for example if there is other serious place that would be cheaper, let me take loans for the tuition, and i still would come out with good training, or as a flight instructor)

 

[joeg252]

I personally did all my ratings at DCA. Great program, though costly. Unfortunately the flight instructor phase did not work in my favor so I am working at another Orlando flight school and loving it. They do make it sound like it's quick to go to the airlines,but in reality, plan on spending a couple of years there before you make it to the right seat of a jet. Hope my input helps out.

 

[bobbysamd]

FSI v. Comair (DCA) v. Mesa

I have experiences with all three. I worked at FSI for a little more than a year several years ago and for MAPD for a few months, and interviewed at Comair.

Comments abound on the board about all of these schools, so you might run a board search.

FlightSafety is not in the least bit cheap, but, overall, it is first class. I always felt that FSI students did not receive enough ground school, but it was adequate. The flight training is top-drawer. FSI is one of the few programs that offer unusual attitudes and spin training as part of the course. Learning how to deal with upset situations is great for a pilot's confidence. The equipment is extremely well maintained and plentiful. I do not recall ever losing a flight because of maintenance. Students earn their initial Commercial-Instrument certification in multiengine aircraft; along the way they earn their Private Multi ratings, so all flying in these airplanes thereafter is PIC. So, a student finishes with about forty hours of multi PIC. FlightSafety carries big name recognition in the industry, which is important.

Mesa Airlines Pilot Development is less expensive than FlightSafety. It is an eighteen month program, as compared to FSI's six to eight months, primarily because an A.S. degree in Aviation Technology comes with your ratings. The degree is mandatory, but you might be able to transfer credits and only have to take the aviation courses for your A.S. The flight training is based on Mesa Airlines line procedures, which is significant because MAPD grads have the chance to interview for FO positions with Mesa Airlines. However, contrary to what some people believe, "the interview" is not guaranteed. Students who watch their Ps and Qs will get to interview, but there are those who do not and will not interview. The only promise the school makes is it will train you for your ratings.

I interviewed at Comair (DCA) and did not care for the experience. There are those who trained there who did not care for their experiences. On the other hand, people have been hired at Comair Airlines after going through the program. Look at this recent thread and judge for yourself.

Finally, be wary of any "guaranteed interview" or "guaranteed job" promises. There are plenty of loopholes that places use to renege on these "promises." Also, when looking at schools, an important consideration is the number of tangible credentials you will receive for the money spent. I.e., at FSI and DCA you can earn all ratings through MEI. At MAPD, which is cheaper, CFI training is not part of the program, theoretically because if you're hired at Mesa you would bypass instructing. Thus, if Mesa does not hire you or puts you in a pool and you want to work, you probably would have to earn your CFI elsewhere and at extra cost.

Good luck with your choice of training provider.

 

[350DRIVER]

The success rate of those who complete the Mesa program (MAPD) who get the interview 99% of the time will get the job. You are trained the airline way from day 1, they will screen and interview you before they even accept you into the program. It is basically your job to loose.


I would go the MAPD route any day of the week over the other choices that you are considering.

PM me for any specifics. Quite a few of the class of 96/97 have now moved on to bigger and better things.

Mesa is no career airline but a good place to build experience and move on.

121 time is 121 time, doesn't matter where you get it.

good luck,

3 5 0
Rich Castle where are you?!

 

[pilotmyf]

Go to a local FBO, take all the money you would spend on these academies, and treat flight training like a job. After you are done with the ratings, get a CFI job there and spend the $ you saved on multi flying. You will be at the same place these academy people are with more multi time, thus more marketable. Remember, there are NO guaratees in this business, and start a network NOW!!!!!

 

[xavier0002]

thanks for the help guys.

One more question. what have your guys heard about ari ben aviator and american flyers...could they be a better choice(price/training wise)...

otherwise it seems like flight safety or mesa would be the choice

 

[pilotmyf]

Hope your pockets are deep!!

 

[psysicx]

Check out Skymates in Dal or Falcon flight center in DAB. But deal for the money and if you do skymates there is a good chance of getting on as an instructor.

 

[bobbysamd]

Flyers and Ari-Ben

thanks for the help guys.

One more question. what have your guys heard about ari ben aviator and american flyers...could they be a better choice(price/training wise)...

otherwise it seems like flight safety or mesa would be the choice

The best advice for either, again, would be to run a board search. There is mixed opinion on both. Moreover, Ari-Ben might have taken big damage from the hurricane, so any start there could be delayed a lonnnnggg time.

One final, important, suggestion. Visit the school(s) before you sign up and talk to other people on the property besides the salespeople. Mesa might non-rev you to Farmington. You would have to pay your own way to FSI.

 

[as739x]

I can speak for American Flyers, and that they are a top notch school. I have done my Commercial and Instrument at AF Hayward,CA. Very good instructors, well maintained planes, and very good local management. I may be going back soon to finish my CFI/CFII. I actually was gone for a while and got a friendly call from the Chief pilot, who treats you like a friend, and just asked whats up? He said to me " I was wondering if you are coming back to finish the CFI, because if not you have $95.00 in your account. We could send you a check" Are you kidding me, a school that would give you money back? That the kind of school American Flyers (at least in Hayward,CA) is.

 

[Goose Egg]

Here's a different idea...

Here's another option that you may not have considered: A state school with their own fleet and a continuing education program. This could be much more economical, since you are dealing with a non-profit organization. I did my flight training with a state school, and my total loan amount is 50% to 20% of what I have heard of other people spending; approximately $18K. Even though it was Part 61, I spent a great deal less for the same ratings than many of my instructor counterparts.

I'm not saying that this is the absolute way to go, but it might be something worth looking into. And just like FBOs and other flight schools, some colleges are better than others, so you'll definitely want to do your homework.

-Goose

 

[flyifrvfr]

Have you considered ATP (800-all-atps). They will train you all the way through to CFII/MEI and most likely hire you as an instructor upon completion. It only takes 90 days to get the CFII/MEI and you will come away with more multi time than you could imagine.

Remember that multi time is as important as total time. You could end up having 1000 hours total and 800 multi. You could get a regional job very easily with that time.

 

[xavier0002]

hello guys

thanks for the help. I have heard good things about ari ben aviator and atp but i am not sure if i can learn all that in only 90 days. What you guys think...can it be done in that amount of time? and would it be worth it?

 

[flyifrvfr]

Thousands of people have taken the 90 day ATP course. It is absolutely worth it and can easily be accomplished if you commit to going everyday. If I could go back and do it again, providing I could get the loan, I would go to ATP.

I would jump on them in a heartbeat, You get a ton of multi time when your done and possibly a CFI job there as well.

 

[bobbysamd]

Atp

hello guys

thanks for the help. I have heard good things about ari ben aviator and atp but i am not sure if i can learn all that in only 90 days. What you guys think...can it be done in that amount of time? and would it be worth it?

I, personally, am not in favor of trying to learn so much so fast. Unless you put the knowledge to use immediately it's likely you will lose it as fast as you gain it. Earning all those ratings in such a short period of time would be a challenge even for quick studies. Not only that, you may not learn everything you really need to know in such a short period of time.

If you are a good student, learn fast and can block out all distractions, the program might be for you. Only you can answer that question. For the average Joe, even fully motivated, a 90-day program would be a major challenge.

 

[AZaviator]

ALL ATPs

My vote is for ALL ATPs. I did their course several years ago and was finished in just over 90 days. The price they quote you is what you pay. No additional hidden costs, nor do they try and sell you additional training you don't need. It is a very fast paced course, so if you don't study well on your own, it might not be the place for you.

I'd avoid Pan Am at all costs. Decent training, but most students are spending over $80k for their training. That is simply too much to spend there, or anywhere for that matter!

 

[xavier0002]

thanks to everybody for the help.. i really appreciate it