Waht is life like at ATP??

JA Yawd Bwoy

Well-Known Member
Hi im new my name is Matt, I would like to know, what is life like at ATP? I have been searching these forums for a while and I cant find any answers.
What I mean is during the 90 day program, Do you ever have time to yourself and your fellow students? Do you guys go and relax away from the airport? What do you do? What is the housing like? Thanks for all the answers in advance
 
im not sure waht it is like there but there are lots of folks on this site that do. If you check out the ATP forum as well as use the search feature there is some info there. There are also a few people with blogs regarding their experiences there.
 
I cant speak for all the locations, but at the DAB location though the program is intense there is definitely an opportunity to unwind with your fellow students and instructors as well. Besides grabbing lunch or the occasional dinner together, remember that you're more than likely going to be living with 5 other students in your apartment, and instructors and students in other apartments nearby.
 
I'm doing the cross country phase right now at dallas/arlington. Its pretty laid back as long as you get everything done ahead of schedule. The biggest complaint from students who do their private at another location ad come here for the 90 day is the dress code. At some locations t-shirt and jeans will work out, not here. You will have suprsingly more free time than you think. A handful of my training flights were out to stephenville (hard 8 barbeque) and back. Do NOT expect internet, cable or even an antenna in the apartments. This leads to an unprecedented amount of drinking to overcome boredom. So if you love to study without any possible distraction while drinking beer than your in luck.
 
Is that what it is like at most of the apartments?
Every apartment I've been in had an antenna, and a TV capable of picking up the local HD broadcasts.

Free wifi at the RIC airport (actually 2, one owned by ATP the other by the jet center). But no cable or internet provided at the apartments. Seems like some students will pool together and put up $15/m each or so for cable and internet. We had it in the instructor apartment.
 
Every apartment I've been in had an antenna, and a TV capable of picking up the local HD broadcasts.

Free wifi at the RIC airport (actually 2, one owned by ATP the other by the jet center). But no cable or internet provided at the apartments. Seems like some students will pool together and put up $15/m each or so for cable and internet. We had it in the instructor apartment.

Interesting. I figured they would be fully outfitted with TV and Internet.
 
We tried here but we got shot down by the apartment management, (also finding an antenna in this day and age is quite the challenge.) they said that ATP had to authorize it. The instructor housing does have cable and internet though (only because its the bottom floor of the flight school.)
 
Interesting. I figured they would be fully outfitted with TV and Internet.

Hah, your lucky you get a TV. I did fine without cable and internet.

Speaking from my experience, I had a TON of down time, although it was better that I was on the other side of the country from my friends.

The new friends that I made while ATP however, we did have many night enjoying "a few" beers. "A few" nights at the bar. "A few" days sitting outside throwing a football, while the BBQ was grillin our steaks. Im a fairly un-intelligent person, and I didnt think the program was too intense. In fact, I miss ATP now, so care free compared to after ATP.

Just dont be one of those guys who never has a drink, or never goes out with the other guys. Those guys annoy me, and annoy everyone else. Thats one thing I have learned about the "pilot lifestyle" that you meet people for a quick second most of the time and first impressions really matter, and that its a small world. Make everyone your friend, and get everyones phone number and be a part of the group.

-Rob
 
We have the option of cable and internet in the apartments here, but you're responsible for the cost. Which isn't much if you divide it between you and your roommates.
 
With all the new regional managers I'm not sure how much you can get away with. Back in the day, if you were away from JAX you could pretty much make your own schedule as long as stuff got done. When I was a student I spent at least a few hours at the beach every day to study or unwind. I played Ultimate Frisbee two nights a week and went on trips to visit friends around Florida a few times too. When I was instructing I mostly was able to play ultimate once or twice a week and go a few places. Some of the quieter places allow more time to do stuff, but you build time slower.

Then again, this was all a while ago so YMMV.
 
I concur with Roberts post. I would encourage him to elaborate on his definition of "a few" because I recall that not being the case on several occasions. The Porch!!!

The TV was about 13 inches in "The Disco" (the name for our apartment because of the 1970's furniture and carpet). Internet can be purchased, but most peoples apartment could pick up a neighbors wireless connection. Also, there is always a wireless connection at the school (at least in Riverside).

First word of advice would be to keep the place clean.

The people that went right from living with a parent who cleaned up their mess everyday had a problem adjusting to life with 3 other people in a 2 bedroom apartment. There is nothing that makes you more bitter then coming home from a 6 hour night XC and seeing a sink full of dishes and the trash can overflowing.

ATP is what you make of it. If you lock yourself in your room at night and don't interact with everyone, you will have LOOONG 90 days. The first few days are a bit awkward because you are coming into an environment, that at times, is almost like a family. I will know the guys from ATP for the rest of my life, I am certain of it.

Just be yourself, and don't try to impress people with stupid things that mean nothing when you get in a Seminole. I don't care that you were the smartest kid in your PPL class and you gave the best oral answers the examiner had heard in his 45 years of being a DE, or that you have 500 hours and your daddy is a GV pilot.

I care that you are a nice person, clean up after yourself, understand that sometimes the apartment needs to be quiet for studying, and that you carry your weight in the cockpit.

And the second word of advice, don't be one of those guys that rubs it in everyone's face that "he has a job waiting for him when he gets done the 90-day program."

Just my two cents..

PS: Always lock your doors.
 
I concur with Roberts post.

nick did u get a chance to fly into mobile alabama on your xc's? visit the crichton community? :laff:

i agree with the above posts. if you make friends during the program, it will not only make the program go by quicker, but you will learn from one another and comprehend things better when you hit a learning plateau.
 
Life at ATP is pretty cool. It seems crappy when you're in the middle of it, but I finished today and I'm definitely going to miss it. I didn't live in the apartments so I have a slightly different perspective. But overall, it was a great experience.

The environment is something my friends at other schools and FBOs haven't been able to find. You really have to look for someone that's a total idiot. Almost everyone is down to earth and focused on reaching a goal.

"The Disco" (the name for our apartment because of the 1970's furniture and carpet).

Was that apartment 182?
 
So you DO remember something from the FOI!!! Haha

-Rob

haha yep. "so what can u tell me about hypoxia"....you can call me the aeromedical factors wizard....oh and i can tell you a little something about our good friend mazlow. i don't like him very much.
 
The one eight motha ####in two!

I know you all appreciated the condom wrappers pinned up on the wall. Haha

-Rob

Funny thing is, those were taken in the “incident” along with the big bottle of Absolute Pear nobody would drink. Funny if the rubber had a hole in it...

To be honest, the best part about The Disco was the endless supply of canned chili and veggies awaiting my arrival in Riverside. Must have been a gift from the “Instructor Gods.”
 
Funny thing is, those were taken in the “incident” along with the big bottle of Absolute Pear nobody would drink. Funny if the rubber had a hole in it...

To be honest, the best part about The Disco was the endless supply of canned chili and veggies awaiting my arrival in Riverside. Must have been a gift from the “Instructor Gods.”

Probably before even they had the apartment.

I wonder if Fallon has blossomed in the desert behind the house. Nahhhh what am I talking about, the wolverines obviously got to her.

Anyone who gets the 182, go ahead and take any scraps or leftovers that will otherwise be garbage, and throw them into the grass behind the back porch. Then the next morning go and see how they magically disappeared. :D

-Rob
 
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