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

[KSCessnaDriver]

Nothing wrong with that at all, IMO.

Ah ok, I wasn't sure if people were actually advocating not buying your own ATP, like a type rating. I ended up getting my ATP as a means to make myself more hire-able, to get back into airplanes. Because, with a commercial ticket, 400 hours of airplane time, and the remainder in a blimp, its a tough road to follow.

 

[KHanson]

Get your MEI, and let the airlines pay for your ATP. Once you pass your sim at an airline you'll have an ATP and an MEI (from before) vs. just an ATP.

 

[KHanson]

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

Combined, I don't think you could in the sense of what we all initially think, BUT, you might be able to takeoff as an MEI, teach what you need to do, land, take back off, do your ATP stuff, and then do the paperwork afterwards... Of course the orals are different as well... That's a good question for a DPE ... Or, post a thread in the CFI section, and see what comes about...

 

[PGH Maverick]

I hav applied for a handful of positions, but no responses, mostly due to my low ,ultimate hours I assume, I only have 30. You would think an MEI would help build those hours, but I don't have one anywhere near home to teach in, so that is a bust. I feel the ATP route is a move towards a more "marketable" resume. I will just go build some multi on my own, since I don't have anywhere to teach it.

Thanks for the opinions thus far, I have received many good points... I am receiving mixed answers locally as well as on this board, so it does seem to be a difficult question!

 

[av8or91]

How much does an ATP checkride cost if done with a DPE?

 

[KSCessnaDriver]

How much does an ATP checkride cost if done with a DPE?

I paid, I want to say $450 for a DPE in Jacksonville this past December. Plus the cost of the aircraft.

 

[KHanson]

I hav applied for a handful of positions, but no responses, mostly due to my low ,ultimate hours I assume, I only have 30. You would think an MEI would help build those hours, but I don't have one anywhere near home to teach in, so that is a bust. I feel the ATP route is a move towards a more "marketable" resume. I will just go build some multi on my own, since I don't have anywhere to teach it.

Thanks for the opinions thus far, I have received many good points... I am receiving mixed answers locally as well as on this board, so it does seem to be a difficult question!

Market to the airlines insurance company. If they want 100hrs multi, HR at the airline is held to 100hrs multi. As an MEI you can build your multi time, and like any CFI, you'll hone those multi skills greatly. As an ATP, it's a checked box, and that's it... Any airline you go to, your sim ride is relative the same for an ATP or not. MEI gets my vote now that I'm thinking about it.

 

[JustinS]

After much thought, I'd say do both or just go with the MEI. Final answer this time...

 

[amorris311]

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.

Talk to the DPE you use for your students. See if he/she will do the ride for free for you. I know the guy I used to work for was a DPE and he said after 10 students whatever you need he will do it free of cost. The only thing I needed at that time was my ATP but I didn't qualify due to my age.

 

[z987k]

I really don't think either is going to help you. If there's really not multi students and no multi aircraft to rent then the MEI is very worthless. You're still too low on total time for any kind of 135 to really care about an ATP yet IMO, maybe if you were 2500/38 I'd say get the ATP. Certainly don't get the ATP if 121 is your goal.

 

[PGH Maverick]

I am curious why so many people say do not bother getting the ATP... Especially if I am considering going 121. I thought the ATP would show that I am serious, and show that I am able to do this.

I really don't think I will build a single hour of multi instructing which really sucks... But that is the reality right now. I need to make the right decision for my career, but it is a hard decision for sure.

 

[CFI A&P]

Just recently I funded my own ATP check rides. Was going to combo the MEI ride in it too, but the examiner doesn't do instructor rides. So I was SOL. However, I know someone that did the ATP-AMEL & MEI in the same ride. He said to the DPE, "I'll give you and extra $100 if you sign my 8710 for an MEI also. It worked.

It hasn't led me to a dream job yet but it is a step in the right direction for application mins & insurance requirements.

 

[z987k]

I am curious why so many people say do not bother getting the ATP... Especially if I am considering going 121. I thought the ATP would show that I am serious, and show that I am able to do this.

I really don't think I will build a single hour of multi instructing which really sucks... But that is the reality right now. I need to make the right decision for my career, but it is a hard decision for sure.

Because the regional will pay for your ATP anyways. It's a waste of money.

 

[Inverted]

Just buy a big block of multi time, then go apply somewhere once you hit 135 IFR mins. If the MEI won't help you, the ATP won't either. Nobody is going to waive insurance mins on multi time required because you have an ATP.

 

[PGH Maverick]

Just buy a big block of multi time, then go apply somewhere once you hit 135 IFR mins. If the MEI won't help you, the ATP won't either. Nobody is going to waive insurance mins on multi time required because you have an ATP.

I have to earn one or the other...

 

[KSCessnaDriver]

Because the regional will pay for your ATP anyways. It's a waste of money.

Have to get the regional job first.

 

[mastermags]

I am curious why so many people say do not bother getting the ATP... Especially if I am considering going 121. I thought the ATP would show that I am serious, and show that I am able to do this.

I really don't think I will build a single hour of multi instructing which really sucks... But that is the reality right now. I need to make the right decision for my career, but it is a hard decision for sure.

We're hiring. A guy in training said we only have about a 30% acceptance rate for the guys we offer a job to. Go to a regional, get a free ATP and type rating, get some jet experience and then if a better offer comes along, jump all over it.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

I really don't think either is going to help you. If there's really not multi students and no multi aircraft to rent then the MEI is very worthless. You're still too low on total time for any kind of 135 to really care about an ATP yet IMO, maybe if you were 2500/38 I'd say get the ATP. Certainly don't get the ATP if 121 is your goal.

The lack of regulatory certainty about what an ATP will look like and require after August 1, 2013 is a pretty good counter-argument, incidentally. No final rule = I'm going to get it as soon as I bloody can, and be done with it.

 

[PGH Maverick]

The lack of regulatory certainty about what an ATP will look like and require after August 1, 2013 is a pretty good counter-argument, incidentally. No final rule = I'm going to get it as soon as I bloody can, and be done with it.

You make a good point... If I earn it now... And they change the regs, at least I have already earned it and won't have to meet some new ridiculous standard they may dictate.

 

[Inverted]

I have to earn one or the other...

I didn't see, but is this because of an impending 709 ride otherwise? Not quite sure why you have to earn one either way. Again, the ATP will be useless with 30 hours of multi. So getting the ATP before the change is moot. If you are close to 1200, that means you are kinda close to 1500. Getting yourself to 50 hours of multi, then doing an MEI ride (if you have to) is going to be more valuable to you right now. At least then, you can maybe get a job. If you are considering going 121, you need to meet whatever ATP mins get put in place. Again, an ATP with less than 1500 hours isn't going to get you into ant 121 gig. In fact if it did, you would be furloughed because you don't meet minimums. This is why nobody is hiring with less than 1500 right now.