Pilot Journey Forums

I have been looking into accelerated flight schools, and have been particularly interested in ATP.  Does anyone have any positive or negative feedback on this school?

thanks

Personally, it scares me to see these programs advertised in flight magazines.
Phrases like "Zero time to First Officer in a jet in six months" are particularly onerous.
I imagine myself sitting on a regional CRJ somewhere where potentially half the flight crew had never seen a flightdeck less than a year ago!

From the perspective of the prospective pilot, I also wonder how much the hiring airlines are aligned with the vision of these training academies. Are they really hiring those with less than a year experience?
Are they really hiring into the positions you expect?
The reality of the carriers may not meet with the expecations set by the trainers, or certainly not for everyone. You may find that you count yourself lucky if you are among the few chosen right out of flight school with little experience but lots of talent, or you may find yourself paying your dues along with the rest of the pack, waiting to get that coveted seat.

It would be interesting to see what kind of experience those of you out there actually have... and if it lived up to your expectations in the end.

--dAve

I can't say who but I know that there are some airlines that look down upon flight training that has been received from ATP.  Be careful...just because you get what you pay for doesn't mean you meet the standards set by other flight schools (CFI employment) or the airlines. 

Research well and make the best choice based on quality of training, not the cheapest or the fastest.  Trust me...you want to be well prepared for any interview that may come your way and getting a CFI in two weeks won't put you at the knowledge level needed.

Yes, this is pure opinion, but it has been taken from people I know that have gone through the process.

If you want a better reason to continue researching...do you really want to pay $6,000 for all three CFI ratings (CFI, CFII, MEI) that only gets you 12 hours of flight time?  That is $500 per hour...or $430 per day.  You don't even average a hour per day during your training.

That's my two cents.  Sorry if I have made anyone upset...just stating facts.

Hello Mirna

ATP has a good program with the an excellent safety record. My experience with them has been very good. But this type of program isn't for everyone. You need to have good study habits, good attitude and be fairly self motivated.

I selected the ACP 10 month program, so I can live at home and if needed have a time to study any materials I may feel uncertain about. I thought the 90 day was a little too fast for me, but if you have the right attitude and good study habits the 90 day program would be fine.

The CFI's go through a fairly rigorous standardization program, so while some of the CFI's are kind of low time by the time they get to you they are well trained and prepared for the unique challenges of an accellerated program. The program is well established and very thorough. But it is still up to you as a pilot to continue to study, learn and perfect your skills as a pilot, no mater what program you go through.

Check out the web site, if you have any specific questions I'd be happy to share my experiences so far. Would I select ATP again if I had it to do over, yes. I would recommend them but this type of program isn't for everybody.

Good luck
Ric

I have no personal experience with ATP but two F/O in my base were ATP Career Track grads and were both were very happy with their experiences. They started with zero flight time, became multi-engine instructors with ATP, got 500TT w/350 ME and 14 months later were hired as airline pilots. They paid $40K but I believe the program now runs $50K.

The ATP website has a forum for communicating with such grads (http://"http://www.beanairlinepilot.com/forums/"), so you can go there and get the facts 'straight from the horses mouth'!

I have a family member who has been a pilot with American for 15+years. He says if you do not have a 4-year degree, and you do not have military experience, then a program like ATP will only give you regional airline jobs.

i am getting SICK AND TIRED of hearing about how these "fast track" programs are horrible, etc. etc. etc.  here is the reality of the situation, YOU STILL HAVE TO PASS THE CHECKRIDE!  weather it's for the Comm. AMEL, or the CRJ200 type rating.  you still have to go through the airlines training program, AND PASS!  where you went to school, and how long it took, should have absolutely no bearing on how skilled you are.  WEATHER OR NOT YOU MADE IT INTO THE RIGHT SEAT (or left seat for that matter) SHOULD!  stop bashing the fast track programs.  if you didnt do it, DON'T ASSUME.  i did a fast track program, with ATP, and never busted a checkride.  now, 2 years later, i sit right seat in a G4, falcon900 and will soon be typed in a lear45 SIC.  ATP got me everything i ever wanted.  I went from being an auto mechanic who was greasy miserable and had money in his pocket, to being clean happy and broke when i was a cfi, to makeing the same money i was as a mechanic, AND I AM ONLY 2 YEARS INTO THIS CAREER! 8)

oh yeah, AND I DONT HAVE A 4 YEAR DEGREE.

WHOA...DOWN BOY!!

I read just as much (if not more) good things as I did bad things on this topic...all of it is simply helpful discussion based on experience or logical thinking. That is what forums are designed for.  Someone asked and others are telling.  Just calm down and let the forums work for those that are interested in making an informed decision.  Plus, no one is going to make a decision purely based on opinion in this forum...they will talk with the particular flight school, find out references and make an informed decision.