Considering ATP flight school for pilot training at 34 (no experience)

I agree... ATP does not seem like the best option to me now with everyones input. Time to stop spending money on R/C airplanes. Thanks everyone. If something were to happen, I definately could not handle the extra debt. Much appreciated everyone. Hopefully all of you are happy with your careers as pilots and I can be of some refreshing inspiration to you that you have chosen an amazing path! So if you feel down about your job ever, just know there are people who are dying to be in your position, and have fun in the skies!
 
If you don't want to do it one lesson at a time because you feel it would take too long and you would be "re-learning", then take that money each time you would be taking a lesson and bank it. Then when you get ~$8k saved, go find a local FBO / Flying Club / CFI that will do an accelerated program with you. Take two weeks out of your painting life and get your PPL.

Now you're in a position to go back home and fly to build hours for COM / Instrument and can work and fly.

Ready for Instrument, do the same as PPL above.

Have no idea where you live, but the MKG flying club full time CFI does accelerated PPL and Instrument. 14 day Private and 9 day IFR. Rates are great, Greg is a fantastic Master CFI and not a time builder waiting to suck you dry.

http://wmflyingclub.org/lesson/
 
I think that is the best, most logical approach for me... time to bank $8,000... This will keep me from getting in over my head in debt and give me experience to make sure its what I want for a career, without going "all in".
 
Ideal aviation was my top consideration due to a superior fleet. I figured this would enable me to rent better aircraft once certified.
 
bRandom said:
I think that is the best, most logical approach for me... time to bank $8,000... This will keep me from getting in over my head in debt and give me experience to make sure its what I want for a career, without going "all in".
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Perhaps it's a good time for some other life changes as well. Unless you are in love with house painting, try exploring a better job situation with better income, especially considering the debt you already have and not much of a way to secure a financial future for yourself. There are many and wide varieties of jobs that can be had with your degree and I know for a fact that coaches and assistant coaches even at a small time level, physical therapists, trainers and personal trainers make a decent wage.
 
tomokc said:
Why are there two threads on this person's career discussion?
http://forums.jetcareers.com/threads/want-to-become-at-pilot-at-34.192770/
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Because he keeps starting them, asking the same questions, getting the same answers and not wanting to accept and believe what people keep telling him. Sort of like the reality of life doesn't match what I want so I'll just keep beating the drum anyways, even if in the last 10 to 12 years I have done zippo to further what I keeping saying that want to do. Not much an outsider can do about choices/lack of actions/plans/focus/not saving money/or motivation like that.
 
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Sorry I did not mean to start another thread on my career... I was trying to be specific about ATP school but got carried away. I have done a lot since the last thread as far as visiting all local schools and inquiring about options. It has become a bit redundant at this point and will not post again until I have made actual progress. Everyone has been more
than helpful and I thank you. Sorry about any inconvenience.
Brandon
 
There is some great advice here. I can tell that it is probably not want you want to hear but collectively these guys have a ton of experience and have been where you want to go.

Believe me, the decision to make the jump will never be easy. I feel what you're going through but am on the other side of the pay scale. I'm 28 and feel like leaving my current income level to fly would be crazy. But, here I am working on my Instrument at an FBO.

At the end of the day the decision will be yours and if you enjoy your private training try out instrument flying and keep it moving. Takes mad discipline at this stage in our lives but if you really want to fly... YOLO
 
While I'm only 23 I was so close to pulling the trigger and going to ATP and I am so glad I came on here to ask for advice. My experience with ATP includes the intro flight and getting everything set up for a start date before I pulled the plug and went to the local flying club. If your concern is getting your ratings fast, you can get them just as fast at the local flying club. I started my private June 2nd and passed the checkride August 16 and it only cost around $7k. With ATP the first thing you do after paying a non refundable $1000 to reserve your spot is give them $15k upfront without going on a single flight. Any place that makes you pay for the flying before hand is not the place to go. My advice, go check out the other flight schools around the airport, I bet you will find one with a lot better environment and one that is more inviting than ATP. Find an instructor, tell him your goals and your timeframe. This is what I did and it is working out way better than I originally thought it would. If you have any questions feel free to pm me. I've been down the ATP road and I'm so glad I didn't go there.
 
Yep, there is at least 200+ years of combined experience on this thread telling you what you should do. Its good to see that advice finally set in. Best of luck in which ever path you take.
 
bRandom said:
Sorry I did not mean to start another thread on my career... I was trying to be specific about ATP school but got carried away. I have done a lot since the last thread as far as visiting all local schools and inquiring about options. It has become a bit redundant at this point and will not post again until I have made actual progress. Everyone has been more
than helpful and I thank you. Sorry about any inconvenience.
Brandon
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Don't apologize - people are only here to help, just as we were all helped along the way too.
 
From my personal experience, there are far better choices than ATP. I went into their program with a private license and around 100 hours total time. If all you are looking for is your ratings, they will get you there pretty quickly. If you are looking for instructors who are there just to build hours and who dont care about actually teaching you anything, then ATP is definately the place to go.
If i had it all to do over again, i would have thought twice about ATP. I only decided to go there for the multi time, but once i got there i flew far less multi than what i was led to believe before i committed to them.
 
Thanks! And extremely helpful you all have been! Its really a great forum! I have to say... ATP just called me to follow up with my inquiries, and I can't say i've ever felt more like someone wanted me off the phone quicker.
 
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