[acsmashing]

This has been a question which has vexed me for some time. Right now I am frustrated trying to decide whether to enroll at a flight academy like ATP, or stick with my current instructor to get the same ratings as I would at an academy. I already have my private, and am almost done with my instrument. Can somebody give me some good feedback on what kind of course I should take, whether to stick with my current private instructor or enroll at a school like ATP. My goal is to become a first officer for any airline so as long as its a jet.
Or to put it another way, what do the regional airlines look for when it comes to how you got your license.

[nineinchnails1523]

If you are already that close to getting your instrument rating, I would just stay where you are. I don't think the Regionals care where you got your ratings as long as you perform well at the interview. I went to 3 different flight schools to finish all of mine.

[upstateflyer]

it really depends on the quality of that instructor. like NIN said, the airlines don't necessarily care where the ratings come from, so long as you interview well.

I got my private at a small FBO, instrument through commercial at a university program, CFI and I-I at an academy, and my MEI add-on through ATP. I subsequently instructed in 2 small FBOs and most recently for ATP. The variety in training and instructing is something that served me well, and I'm now in training with who I consider to be the best regional in the industry.

A school like ATP has a great deal of knowledgable people (and some not so), and they also have fluid working relationships with a number of the jet-flying regionals you want. They were very helpful in getting me my job. However, they are definitely in the business of making money (not spending it), and will operate as such.

Your current instructor, on the other hand, will probably be alot more patient and helpful, and will have a personal investment in your success. That said, he may or may not have a clue what airlines are looking for in candidates right now. My private instructor (small FBO) was the nicest guy in the world, but was completely out of touch with the current demands and expectations of the current industry.

PM me if you have any questions about ATP, university programs, the regionals (although I'm still only in ground school), etc. and I can give you my specific experiences, pros & cons and such.

best of luck.

[cospilot]

This has been a question which has vexed me for some time. Right now I am frustrated trying to decide whether to enroll at a flight academy like ATP, or stick with my current instructor to get the same ratings as I would at an academy. I already have my private, and am almost done with my instrument. Can somebody give me some good feedback on what kind of course I should take, whether to stick with my current private instructor or enroll at a school like ATP. My goal is to become a first officer for any airline so as long as its a jet.
Or to put it another way, what do the regional airlines look for when it comes to how you got your license.

NO!

Why you ask? Consider this, when you go to a job (non-aviation) interview, do they ask you where you got your bachelor's degree. No. Hardly ever! All they want to know is that you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited school.

The same goes with your certificates and ratings. All they want is the certificate that says that you are a Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument rated pilot. That's it!

Do not buy into the hype that some flight schools like FlightSafety Academy and PanAm Academy sell...that the only way to get an aviation job is through them. It is totally not true!

Check out an article I wrote similar to what you are asking: http://tinyurl.com/8ggv54

Good luck and keep your dream alive!

Jeff
Almost the Speed of Sound (http://www.flycrj.com)

[Steve428]

I agree with what everyone else is saying. It really doesn't matter. I've interviewed with 2 regionals, got hired at one, and neither asked about where I got my ratings. They didn't care. They both asked about any previous failures. This is what I would focus on, if I were you. It totally caught me off guard when they wanted to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about why I pinked my private. I passed every other rating I attained, but they were so dead-set on knowing everything about my private pilot check-ride, and what went wrong, what I would have done differently, etc., that it really surprised me. They want to be comfortable knowing that you will pass a 121 SIC checkout/type ride with their company. If you have a history of failures, the interviewers are going to be nervous about the possibility of you washing out of their company's program. Where these super-mega flight training programs come into play is in their efficiency, and their specific targeting of airline procedures. Efficiency, and airline procedural training are a lot harder to come by at your typical mom and pop FBO. Is it worth paying an extra 20K for. I would say not.

[Steve428]

..My goal is to become a first officer for any airline so as long as its a jet...

This is not a good perspective to take.

[STEPHEN]

it really depends on the quality of that instructor. like NIN said, the airlines don't necessarily care where the ratings come from, so long as you interview well.

I got my private at a small FBO, instrument through commercial at a university program, CFI and I-I at an academy, and my MEI add-on through ATP. I subsequently instructed in 2 small FBOs and most recently for ATP. The variety in training and instructing is something that served me well, and I'm now in training with who I consider to be the best regional in the industry.

A school like ATP has a great deal of knowledgable people (and some not so), and they also have fluid working relationships with a number of the jet-flying regionals you want. They were very helpful in getting me my job. However, they are definitely in the business of making money (not spending it), and will operate as such.

Your current instructor, on the other hand, will probably be alot more patient and helpful, and will have a personal investment in your success. That said, he may or may not have a clue what airlines are looking for in candidates right now. My private instructor (small FBO) was the nicest guy in the world, but was completely out of touch with the current demands and expectations of the current industry.

PM me if you have any questions about ATP, university programs, the regionals (although I'm still only in ground school), etc. and I can give you my specific experiences, pros & cons and such.

best of luck.

[mshunter]

As much as I loved ATP, being that you are almost done with your instument, stay at the FBO's. Ypu will save a tone of money that way. If you had started from scratch, I'd say go ATP/Pan-Am/etc. It may be a little expensive (debatible, and don't ask, I refuse to debate this toppic anymore), you get them done fast. Like what has been said earlier, no one cares where you got you certs. or even how long it took. As far as the gaurentee that the schools give you, BS. I can gaurentee you an interview where I work, but when your up against 100 others with better qualifications than you, who do you think is going to get the job?

[matt9613]

it really depends on the quality of that instructor. like NIN said, the airlines don't necessarily care where the ratings come from, so long as you interview well.

I got my private at a small FBO, instrument through commercial at a university program, CFI and I-I at an academy, and my MEI add-on through ATP. I subsequently instructed in 2 small FBOs and most recently for ATP. The variety in training and instructing is something that served me well, and I'm now in training with who I consider to be the best regional in the industry.

A school like ATP has a great deal of knowledgable people (and some not so), and they also have fluid working relationships with a number of the jet-flying regionals you want. They were very helpful in getting me my job. However, they are definitely in the business of making money (not spending it), and will operate as such.

Your current instructor, on the other hand, will probably be alot more patient and helpful, and will have a personal investment in your success. That said, he may or may not have a clue what airlines are looking for in candidates right now. My private instructor (small FBO) was the nicest guy in the world, but was completely out of touch with the current demands and expectations of the current industry.

PM me if you have any questions about ATP, university programs, the regionals (although I'm still only in ground school), etc. and I can give you my specific experiences, pros & cons and such.

best of luck.

I am actually trying to decide where to get my ratings too. I would appreciate an input on the best route to go with my situation. I am starting from zero time and would like to complete all traing within a year. I have a family and moving would be extremly difficult. I have looked in to DCA and ATP and most recently a local FBO. The cost is very similar, however I have been informed that the "guaranteed interview" is so important. If I go the FBO route, wold you say it is very possible to get an interview? ANy feedback would be great. Thanks.