Prospective, but hesitant ATP student

  • Thread starter Thread starter tpowell91
  • Start date Start date
wheelsup said:
In the past 30 days I've worked a total of two (on call reserve, 12 hour call out)...imagine what that kind of freedom can give you, especially at a young age when you can enjoy it. I've spent the last month doing all sorts of fun things, I spend more time doing hobbies than work. My neighbors think I'm unemployed.

The job is merely a means to enjoy life.

If I could change anything it would be to do ATP or similar program right out of high school. Do my degree online while at a commuter, I know a guy who did his for a total of $10k out of pocket, he's at SWA now. Was 30 when he was hired , he was a Captain at 23 as well and a line check airman soon after. If it weren't for age 65 you'd see those ages dialed back 5 years.
Click to expand...

35 years of six leg days, now that's work. :)

While I agree any job is a means to enjoy the rest of your outside activities. I've found the people who chased their "dream job" hard right out of high school were pretty disappointed when they finally got there and realized it's still a job. I'm not talking just about flying, I've seen it with cops, firemen, nurses etc. All decent paying career jobs but jobs none the less. Take my schedule, I average 10 duty days a month and a little less than 300 hours a year. I get paid close to six figures to do it. It's a great part 91 gig, but there are some days/months where its just a job. Maybe I'm not the type A go-getter that some are, I just can't imagine not having the varied life experiences that I've had. And I don't think I could appreciate where I'm at now if it wasn't for the jobs I had outside aviation. It's all a mystery, what works for me won't work for others. :)
 
wheelsup said:
We all don't have high paying government jobs out of college. You have to do what you have to do. You learn a lot making $12,000 as a CFI.

You can amplify anything out 40-50 years. That stick of gum cost your $12.87 in 2055. OK great. I used to do that too.

Guys hired a year or two before me will make a couple hundred k more over their careers than I will. My buddy hired at a legacy at 28, will make another $1 mil if not more over his career over me. What's the compound interest on that?
Click to expand...

Don't misconstrue what I'm saying. The entire industry is about timing. My sector, your sector and every sector I've been previously associated with. If six months was the difference between legacy and stagnation at a regional, well then going all out early on would be the best bet. Truth is, nobody has a crystal ball. Also don't misconstrue who and what I am. I was a butcher's apprentice for well over a year making 7 bucks an hour working in pretty vile conditions. My Bachelor's Degree netted me a job with at best 2nd year regional FO wages for life. Lucky for me I had skills that allowed me to move across the country and hack out 80 pound tumors from carcasses and pursue something different.

Believe me the whole working in a freezer/smelling death/going home in a white shirt covered in blood and laundering it was not worth the extra 2 grand I made as an apprentice butcher vs you being a CFI. I learned a ton as a butcher too. I'd be glad to grill up some thick Ribeye and provide the drinks to facilitate the discussion.

I'm providing a counter point, so relax a little.
 
So after careful consideration, I've decided to go ATP. I start in two weeks. I don't care if they take the fun out of it, the scheduling totally works for me. I've already got my books and have begun studying the phak, afh, afm, and aim. I get my medical Oct 1. Still need a headset, I'm looking at Sennheisers. Also still need an ipad kneeboard.

Hopefully I don't get permabanned because ATP seems controversial here. There is a wealth of information on these boards, that I will definitely be lurking. Thanks everyone for your input. :)
 
mojo6911 said:
Screw it. Go for it. Fortune favors the bold, or something like that.
Click to expand...

Sounds about right. I have made many life changing decisions by saying f*** it, and I think I've turned out okay.

@NewYorkophile already have the ipad mini, want a kneeboard for it.

If anyone has any gear they are willing to part with, PM me! Promise I won't rip you off. :D
 
Awesome! Study you butt off and most importantly, have fun!! Try to knock out your Private Knowledge Test your 1st week and you will be ahead of the game. Just do not join the slacker convention! Those are the guys and gals that get moved to the self paced program or even booted out.
 
Hey jetcareers. I decided to update you guys.

I just earned my PPL, now working on instrument rating. Enrolled in local community college to finish my degree. On November 7th 2014, I lost my mom at the age of 56 to glioblastoma multiforme. I never got to take her flying, but I was able to show her lots of landing videos. She loved it. I don't think I have ever seen her so proud. Don't waste your life, guys. Live it while you can.

I have met quite a few local pilots. Now have an amazingly supportive girlfriend, she might be my first student. Its been a wild ride, but I really can't complain, life is good. I want to thank those on this forum who pushed me to pursue my goals. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

I would definitely recommend ATP! It may have its shortcomings, but the benefits outweigh the negatives IMO.

CHEERS!
 
Good on you for getting the 4 year done simultaneously. I'm sorry about you loss. Now don't be in too much of a hurry to get done just so you can spend 15 nights away from that girl in some hotel room out by the airport. Congratulations on getting the PPL done, all good stuff and thanks for the update.
 
tpowell91 said:
I moved to Vegas last month, but right now I'm in LA right now visiting family. Everyone in my family supports me and thinks it will be great for me, but I'm not 100% sure ATP is worth $69k. I'm scheduled to start ATP October 6th, but I'm getting nervous about pulling the trigger.

I looked into American Flyers, Elite Flight Training, Monarch Sky and a few local FBO's. ATP beat everyone on the price and the fleet.
Click to expand...
I hate to be a buzz-kill, but I think that unless some miracle happens, you're going to end up spending far more than $69K to get your ATP. Just want you to know that going in for planning purposes. One of the most dangerous things I see in prospective career track students is unrealistic expectations (sometimes self-created, more often induced by a less-than-full-disclosure flight school). It can be very difficult and destructive when you have $X, get halfway through, and only then realize the real cost is $X x Y.
 
Congrats man and sorry to hear about that :( Like everyone else said so far, enjoy the flying and take your lady up one of these days! :)
 
Sorry to hear about your loss. To really test a relationship, teach the other something new. I tried to teach my gf to drive a manual transmission car...we had a lot of "heated conversations." The best part is we were in south africa in a game park when she decided to just bail out of the car because it was too difficult. I yelled "what about the lions?!?!" and have never seen someone run back to the car so FAST. Shes learning to fly and best money ever spent is having an instructor teach her. After 1.5years of instruction, when we fly together with me trying to help her we can finally have an argument in the car to the plane and after during the debrief and not in the cockpit!
 
Runincolorado said:
Sorry to hear about your loss. To really test a relationship, teach the other something new. I tried to teach my gf to drive a manual transmission car...we had a lot of "heated conversations." The best part is we were in south africa in a game park when she decided to just bail out of the car because it was too difficult. I yelled "what about the lions?!?!" and have never seen someone run back to the car so FAST. Shes learning to fly and best money ever spent is having an instructor teach her. After 1.5years of instruction, when we fly together with me trying to help her we can finally have an argument in the car to the plane and after during the debrief and not in the cockpit!
Click to expand...

A very wise man once told me, "Never, ever, ever try to teach your wife to golf."

@mikecweb @TFaudree_ERAU
 
tpowell91 said:
Yet another ATP thread. I've read some other threads, but I'm hoping I can have a stream of consciousness here and get some thoughts on my unique situation. I'm about to sell my soul and future to ATP and Sallie Mae. No college degree, but have certificates. I'm at zero hours (on paper) but have experience in ultralights, gliders, 152s and 172s. Hell, I've even flown RC airplanes and microsoft sims. My short term 'plan' is to do the 6 month program, work as a cfi, then transfer my college credits to get a business degree at university here once I qualify for in state tuition (12 months). My end goal is to fly the shiny jets, corporate or charter. I would prefer not to fly airlines, but I'll take anything that pays me to fly. I realize plans change, so be gentle.

I read here http://forums.jetcareers.com/threads/does-anyone-know-a-good-place-to-build-hours-fast.132728/

and here http://forums.jetcareers.com/threads/does-anyone-here-recommended-atp-flight-school.132791/

I realize ATP is a pilot mill.
I want to do the 6 month fasttrack program. I went in and looked at their fleet and had conversations with the CFIs and other students. Besides the classroom buildings being kinda shabby, it left a good impression.
I am 23 with zero attachments, besides 2 vehicles and a motorcycle. I live 4 miles away from the airport I'll be training at.

I realize the "guaranteed" cfi job is not guaranteed, its really just an interview. The manager of ATP in Vegas did tell me that I would have a high chance of being able to CFI there for them.

I realize the pilot shortage is a myth, I'm okay with making <$25k to start. I would prefer to avoid regionals, but I will take whatever opportunity I can get.

Water is my plan B. I quit a drinking water treatment plant recently but can always fall back when I'm furloughed. I have $12k to my name, a supportive family, and $69k approved and ready to roll through Sallie Mae.

Here's where I goofed. I've already paid a non-refundable $1000 deposit. It was part of a special to lock in a current price, I had researched other flight schools and felt ATP was a good choice.
I had just moved to Las Vegas from northern CA and was a little too excited, I also switched over license/insurance/reg to Nevada.


Thanks in advance for any thoughts or fits of rage.:)
Click to expand...

I just want to say one word to you. Just one word.





Plastics.
 
I've noticed from ATP or any of these Pilot mills, a lack of decision making and Solo time. Not saying everyone is like that, but make sure you push yourself out of the comfort zone every now and then
 
killbilly said:
A very wise man once told me, "Never, ever, ever try to teach your wife to golf."

@mikecweb @TFaudree_ERAU
Click to expand...

I keep on brushing off my fiance and saying that it's my Guy TIme on the golf course, and as cute as she'd look in a golf outfit it would be the cause of our eventual divorce. She hasn't brought it up in awhile, but things are starting to warm up down south and the links are looking inviting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top