HELP!!! MEI or ATP, which route should I go?

PGH Maverick

Well-Known Member
I have decided to earn a new rating in the next month... But I can't decide which route to go. I would like to hear what you folks think would serve me better in the long run, and help me reach my goals. My goal is to either join a regional, or get a quality 135 or corporate position as a first officer.

I have just under 1500hrs, but will reach it very soon... Only 30hrs multi... I have been instructing like crazy!

My questions is... Should I go earn my ATP in a twin to show I am serious about being a professional pilot, or do I earn the MEI and hope and pray I will find some way to build multi time? I do not foresee any way I get to teach in a twin anytime soon. Either route I take I will build about 7 hours of multi time.

I don't mind the written exam as I am comfortable with passing that. What do you think is an easier checkride? What will better serve me in the long run? I look forward to hearing your opinions.
 
How much multi time could you buy with that money and maybe get a job?
Not too much, it is only 2-3k... And for other reasons, I do need to go earn a new rating. So I am stuck between which route to take. I would fly night cargo every night if I could, but I live in Pittsburgh, PA and there really isn't any work here!
 
You need to earn a new rating? Are you one of the unfortunate souls who went to Sheble's? If you are close to 135 mins go work for Ameriflight.
 
Not too much, it is only 2-3k... And for other reasons, I do need to go earn a new rating. So I am stuck between which route to take. I would fly night cargo every night if I could, but I live in Pittsburgh, PA and there really isn't any work here!
Well if there's no multi students in PIT and there's nothing to get you closer to a corp or charter job either, I don't think either rating is really going to help you.

edit - I glanced at flightaware and there doesn't appear to be a ups feeder in PIT, even though UPS flies an airbus in and out every day. Looks like 1 208 for Fedex and Labcorp does a bit there. Perhaps there's some stuff at some of the satellite airports if you look. Looks like Labquest does a bit out of Allegheny.
 
If you got your MEI, you then open yourself up to instructing multi when the time presents itself. Nothing would be worst than being given the opportunity and be caught without an MEI. When the time comes, have your ATP written done, and let whatever company requires you to have an ATP pay for the training.
 
Why is everyone so against getting your own ATP? What's the downside?
I bought mine, wrote it off on my taxes, and within 7 months it got me a job I would have otherwise been ineligible for that doubled my salary. Good investment IMO. I could have had a previous employer pay for it, but the lost wages from not being eligible for a better job, and having to stay at that job longer because of a training contract that would have been required were WAY more than the rating cost me($1000 or so, don't go to ATP if you're proficient). An ATP is not a type rating. It applies to far far more than just one type, and it costs significantly less than even the cheapest type.
 
If I am in a time crunch... Which do you feel would be an easier course to complete?

That is a tough call. With the ATP, You're focusing on flying the plane, and it's basically "do you have what it takes to be an ATP?" Four approaches, maneuvers under the hood, emergency procedures, and abnormal procedures. I know USMCmech got his ATP fairly quickly.

MEI, it's "can you teach all the multi-engine commercial manuevers to PTS, and teach multi-engine aerodynamics?"

I did my MEI as my initial certificate, so the oral was the most difficult one. Since this wouldn't be your initial, I would imagine it would be significantly easier. Once I got in the airplane, it was a piece of cake. Also the amount of preparation that went into it, was far more because it was my initial instructor certificate.
 
I know someone who was at a regional as a 5-yr F/O and decided to get his ATP and a few months later was flying for a mainline carrier. Pretty nice return on his fairly small investment...
 
The more I'm reading, the more I agree that the ATP is the way to go. Sounds like a better return on investment.
 
If your goal is to join a regional, they should be banging down your door with that amount of time... And they would pay for your ATP and your type rating. Have you applied to any regionals yet?
 
If I am in a time crunch... Which do you feel would be an easier course to complete?
That's a tough call, it entirely depends on what you want to do. If you are interested in the Regionals, I would get an MEI. If you plan on going corporate or doing a bit of freight before corporate, I would suggest the ATP. The Regionals will pay for your ATP ride and you will receive a type in the process, so there is no need to pay out of your own pocket. Corporate will also pay for your type. However, you are more marketable to them as z987k mentioned earlier.
 
Try to find an examiner that would be willing to do both the MEI and ATP in one checkride? I haven't heard of this being done for that mix, but I know of people that have done a single commercial add on and CFI single add on, on the same checkride. contact your local DPE and ask if that even possible...
 
Try to find an examiner that would be willing to do both the MEI and ATP in one checkride? I haven't heard of this being done for that mix, but I know of people that have done a single commercial add on and CFI single add on, on the same checkride. contact your local DPE and ask if that even possible...

How is that legal (the CSEL and CFI in one ride)??
 
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