I plan on attending college for four years and also attending the two year ATP program. At first i was thinking to go to college for two years then attend ATP for two and while i was a flight instructor, finish my other two years to get a bachelors degree. Is that possible? Or would i be better off completing my bachelors before attending ATP? Thanks for any replies.
Scott,
I would recommend finishing your four year degree in its entirety before attending flight school. I find that it is easier for students to continue down one path at a time than try to bounce back and forth. You will be able to focus all of your efforts on college and then all of your efforts on flying.
FYI, ATP’s program is six months long, the extended options are no loner available.
Chris
Hello Scott and good question,
First let me clear something up. There is no “Two year ATP Program”. The Career Pilot Program is 180 days (about 6 mos). After that you need to build the required 1500hrs to get hired which takes on an average 18 mos so yes it’ll take approx. 2yrs to get hired but it could be less or it could be more (just wanted to clarify).
As for your question, not only can you do 2 yrs of college, ATP/fly for 2 yrs then get your BA after, that’s actually the most time efficient method there is. The reason we don’t generally recommend that is because after you’re hired at a Regional it takes a fair amount of discipline to buckle down and get that degree while you’re out and about flying. That said it can be done (and is by many including our own Yarden). My only caution is please be honest about your study and work ethic but if you think you’re up for it then sure.
Adam
I think the two-year program Scott references is 6-Month Airline Career Pilot Program + approximately 18-24 months of instruction to build flight experience.
Scott,
My suggestion is to get the degree done first. It is definitely doable (getting a degree while instructing/flying at a regional) but it is time consuming and after being out of school for 10 years, it is hard to get back into the groove of learning new things.
Yarden
Now that makes perfect sense. Thanks Justin.
Yeah, Justin knows what i was talking about. Thanks for the clarification and help, it means a lot.
Good afternoon,
My son turned 18 in December and is graduating in May. He is trying to decide to start at ATP in the fall or wait till he is 19. Based on the time line of 2 years to reach the 1500hrs and 21. Is their any harm in going earlier than later?
Christian,
ATP requires applicants to have at least 2 years of college experience or equivalent work experience. https://atpflightschool.com/airline-career-pilot-program/enrollment.html So, unless your son meets the requirements listed in that link he will have to wait.
If he meets the enrollment requirements, starting as soon as possible is encouraged since pilots’ careers are affected by seniority. If he were to be 21 when he receives a job offer from a regional there’s nothing wrong with that. He’ll receive a restricted ATP and the restriction will be removed when he turns 23.
By the way, where is your son? Have you encouraged him to join the forum? These are good questions. Send him a personal invitation from us.
Tory
Christian,
To begin training with ATP, your son will either need to have two years of college, two years of work experience, or a private pilots license. So unless he has a PPL, he needs to take another look at his time line altogether.
I would strongly encourage your son to get his degree first, then attend flight training. We find that those with a degree, or even a few years of school, do much better in the program.
I would also strongly encourage your son to join the discussion here himself as these are life choices that will affect him.
Chris
I am a CFII and he will have his Private in March and I will work with him on his instrument. So this way he will meet the requirements to start. But should he wait to be older?
If you continue to do all of the leg work for him, then he should wait until he can start making these inquiries himself.
Tory
Christian,
We always recommend young students continue their educations first. First it’s much easier since their still in “school mode”. Second ATPs program is quite rigorous and historically students right out of High School, having never been away from home and never been fully immersed often have a tough time. I’d seriously give it some thought.
Adam
Christian,
Those are life decisions that your son will have to make. He will not be able to be hired by an airline until he is 21, but it should take roughly that amount of time for him to build his flight time anyways.
Unless your son goes through a flow through program to American Airlines, he will need to have a degree for the majors.
Chris