Which ATP location for CFI program?

Low&Slow

Low&Slow

Ancora imparo
I'm seriously considering going to ATP to get CFI/CFII/MEI certs, probably this winter in January or February, or this spring in May or June. I can't go Sept - Nov this year or March thru April 2012 due to work. Chicago or Nashville locations would be best for me, but unfortunately, the CFI program is only offered in Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Las Vegas.

I don't care about how cold it is (I'm from friggin' Michigan), what the "scenery" or party life is like (married with kids, but no CFI certs), or what there is to do/see in the area. I want to be focused and all business while I'm there. My mission is to drive down there and come back home with my CFI certs within the 14-day period, that's it. How realistic is that? Is it really only 14 days, or is that just a "get you in the door" kind of thing? Will I find myself in Atlanta for another week or two, and more $?

Considering instructors, examiners, WX, aircraft, and housing, which location offers me the best chance for success for this program?

I read a couple of threads here, here, and here, about the Las Vegas location. That location doesn't sound very good/safe, so it's not real high on my list, but I don't know anything about the other locations.
 
LZU Lawerenceville, GA. good examiner great people. I'm pretty sure Brandon still runs the place great guy.
 
moderncarius, I'm glad you posted this thread. I'm curious as well. I am pretty set on going to Vegas despite the reviews. The majority of reviews are dated and reference someone who is no longer there. I will probably choose Vegas because the weather is the most favorable for flying (at least for accellerated training) year round. I can't afford to take more than 3 weeks off from work, and 2-3 weeks is what I'm anticipating. I wish I lived closer to the locations that come more highly recommended, but I can get to vegas in a few hours drive, and time is of the essence. I'm not set in my decision, but getting really close.... All input from former ATP'ers is appreciated.
 
trafficinsight said:
I had a good experience with North Vegas.
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Still waiting for your gouge/debrief/helpful hints if and when that time comes.

Tld said:
moderncarius, I'm glad you posted this thread. I'm curious as well. I am pretty set on going to Vegas despite the reviews. The majority of reviews are dated and reference someone who is no longer there. I will probably choose Vegas because the weather is the most favorable for flying (at least for accellerated training) year round. I can't afford to take more than 3 weeks off from work, and 2-3 weeks is what I'm anticipating. I wish I lived closer to the locations that come more highly recommended, but I can get to vegas in a few hours drive, and time is of the essence. I'm not set in my decision, but getting really close.... All input from former ATP'ers is appreciated.
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:yeahthat:

More than 2 weeks off is, in a word, impractical, if not outright unaffordable.
 
Tld said:
I can't afford to take more than 3 weeks off from work, and 2-3 weeks is what I'm anticipating.
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+1
I hear that! It's going to cost me two weeks of my vacation time to go there, but I think (hope) it'll be worth it.

ALL of the locations are far away from me so I need to consider a day or two on the road to get there and another day or two on the road to get back home too. I really wish there was a location in Chicago or Nashville. Indianapolis wouldn't be too bad either.

Like you, I initially thought Vegas (VGT) might be ideal too, mainly because of the WX, but the unsat living situation there is a really big negative that I can't get past. If I went to VGT, I'd want to carry my 1911 with me, but they have a "deadly weapon" law there specific only to North Las Vegas (yes, I checked). Not sure why they want to disarm law-abiding citizens that are living in a high crime area, it seems counter-intuitive to me, but that's a whole other thread in itself.

Anyhow, so far, it sounds like LZU. The fact that it's also the closest location to me (~13 hrs on the road each way) is a plus as well. Jan/Feb (possibly EARLY March) would probably be best for me as long as the weather is flyable. Anybody know what it's usually like there during Jan/Feb time frame? Lots of flight delays? Plenty of flyable weather? Any other gouge would be really helpful too.

Thanks!
 
I instructed at ATP vegas for 10 months and spent a lot of time with CFI students (I was not the initial 2 year instructor though).. Been to LZU and JAX.. I personally did my CFI program at VGT. I did it back when Frank was the man.. It was pretty legit and got done quickly. I know JAX has had some back up taking like 2-4 weeks. The guys in JAX are pretty good though.

Personally, VGT will get you done and the examiners are pretty good. LZU is also a 5 star location with the same qualities.
 
When I was at LZU, I advised them of a time constraint and Brandon did his best to have me finished. All in all, I finished right on the two week mark with a couple bad weather days in there. As with everything at ATP it is what you put into it. Most of my class was there around 730am until about 2am the following evening. Just let it be known that you need to be done due to work and they will try their best to get you done. Obviously, weather is a limiting factor. Hope it helps.
 
I had heard of the poor conditions at VGT too and when I got there I was actually pleasantly surprised. North Vegas is not a good neighborhood to be sure, but the apartment there is nicer than the one I live in in San Jose... So I dunno what people are bitching about.
 
modernicarus said:
Like you, I initially thought Vegas (VGT) might be ideal too, mainly because of the WX, but the unsat living situation there is a really big negative that I can't get past. If I went to VGT, I'd want to carry my 1911 with me, but they have a "deadly weapon" law there specific only to North Las Vegas (yes, I checked). Not sure why they want to disarm law-abiding citizens that are living in a high crime area, it seems counter-intuitive to me, but that's a whole other thread in itself.
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Probably to keep people from getting killed with their own guns. Or to keep hotheaded "heroes" from killing innocent people.
 
Don't discount JAX either. It's their HQ and therefore has close quality control. Also weather in FL in the winter is really good for flying. Given your time constraints, I'd suggest you fly to give yourself more time in case of weather or a bust. Tickets will be barely more than the cost of gas for a 13+ hour one-way drive.
 
trafficinsight said:
I had heard of the poor conditions at VGT too and when I got there I was actually pleasantly surprised. North Vegas is not a good neighborhood to be sure, but the apartment there is nicer than the one I live in in San Jose... So I dunno what people are bitching about.
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I did my CFI training at ATP VGT and our apartment was broken into. Lot's of things were stolen including laptops, ipods and even someones logbook. It is a very bad neighborhood I can tell you first hand.
When I was doing my cross countrys during the career program, we had an overnight in Phoenix so my flying partner and I went to the pool in the apartment complex. One of the other residence told us that there had been a stabbing there one week prior and the whole pool was drained etc....

I don't know what it is with ATP and shady neighborhoods but there does seem to be a trend..at least in my experience.
 
born2aviate said:
I did my CFI training at ATP VGT and our apartment was broken into. Lot's of things were stolen including laptops, ipods and even someones logbook. It is a very bad neighborhood I can tell you first hand.
When I was doing my cross countrys during the career program, we had an overnight in Phoenix so my flying partner and I went to the pool in the apartment complex. One of the other residence told us that there had been a stabbing there one week prior and the whole pool was drained etc....

I don't know what it is with ATP and shady neighborhoods but there does seem to be a trend..at least in my experience.
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I took everything important with me at all times, it definitely isn't a good neighborhood, no doubt about that, but our stay was uneventful


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- Sent from 1865 by telegraph....
 
I went to LZU. No complaints. I got done in 15 days and one guy got held up for like 3 weeks just for his initial.

I think Brandon moved on to Eagle though.
 
I went to LZU, Brandon is still there and also flies for Eagle. The intial CFI checkride (MEI) is done in Florida. My whole class went to FXE. ATP will fly you there on an airliner and put you in a hotel usually the day before the checkride. When you pass you go back to LZU to finish the CFII and CFI or you can ask ahead of time to go to any other ATP location to finish. The main concern about VGT is the apartment. JAX is pretty good but also tough as far as getting signed off for the checkride because it's their HQ. There are more eyes on you. I believe the key to the program is that your class will study together to prepare for the checkride. You learn a lot in a very short amount of time. In my class we created a study guide out of everything covered by the PTS.
 
Heath said:
Given your time constraints, I'd suggest you fly to give yourself more time in case of weather or a bust. Tickets will be barely more than the cost of gas for a 13+ hour one-way drive.
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Thanks for the suggestion Heath, but I haven't flown on a commercial flight since 1999 and I'd like to never fly commercial ever again for as long as I live.

It's not the cost of the flight, or the service (or the lack thereof), or the layovers, or anything like that. It's just that, if I have a choice, I'd rather drive 13 hrs+ than deal with TSA's bovine feces.

My next best option would be to talk somebody into letting me borrow their airplane for 2-3 weeks, but then I wouldn't have any wheels while I was there.
 
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