Cross Country / What to expect

[ozziecat35]

Hey all past ATP'er's. I'm probably going to be starting ATP in a few weeks at the Chicago location through Mountain State University. I'm one of the few folks who's figured out the system so as to use my GI Bill / Post 9-11 VA benefits for ATP. I have a few logistical questions with regards to ATP. How do most of the flights work? I assume everything that will get me my Private Multi / Instrument will be local, or will that be cross country as well? Do any of the cross countries require overnights at another ATP location? I work full time so I'm just trying to figure out how this is going to work logistically.

*I have my PPL and Instrument (SEL) with about 110 hours TT already, so I don't know how much that will affect my particular training schedule.

Thanks in advance!
Matt

 

[Flyingmau5]

Overnights are sometimes required for x-country students. Flight Ops will give you schedule of your destinations. You will be paired up with someone at your ATP location or some other ATP location.

 

[Karnage]

Not sure how it works through the MSU side, but I did my cross countries as a self-paced student while working 5 days a week. In fact, I was assured by dispatch that I would be home at night where I wasn't listed as available the next day. I simply listed myself as available only on my days off and, with one exception, was home every night. While dispatch will try and overnight you where there are ATP locations (and therefore student housing) not all overnights occur where there's an ATP school. In these cases hotel accomodations are provided. Interestinly enough my one overnight was not only in a non-ATP school city but not even in a city ATP normally uses for cross country student flights. To top it off the next day which was supposed to be a quick two leg trip home ended up taking over 13 hours due to a mechanical issue.

 

[ozziecat35]

Thanks for the feedback guys.