Hey Everyone,
My end goal is to be at AA, I’ve heard their Cadet Academy is worth the money. I’ve had my eye on ATP, the airfield is only a 10 minute drive from my house. AA Cadet Academy seems to only have locations in the west & midwest, which means I would have to worry about other expenses.
[ I live in New Jersey ]
Any advice?
Alex
Alex,
My first question is are you 100% sure you want to go to AA and why?
There’s no need to answer as whatever reason you have is yours and is valid. Thing is do you really know enough about AA to commit to them and put all your eggs in one AA basket? I thought I 100% wanted to go to Continental. Aside from the fact they no longer exist, once I became more educated on the various airlines I discovered there were many options. My point is ATP has partnerships with almost every airline in the country. This gives you the flexibility to pivot should your opinion or the industry change.
Adam
Adam,
I’ve done a bit of research also a close family friend of ours is an AA pilot, and says the work culture there is very good. ( Although I assume most airlines are similar) My main reason is that once I graduate college and I finish up training, I will be moving to South Florida, and since AA has a hub at MIA I would only assume that it might work in my favor, possibly reducing the amount of commuting I would have to do when I have minimal seniority. May I ask what airline you work at ?
Alex
Alex,
I fly for Hawaiian and if you ask me it’s the best airline there is. I have friends at every airline there is and they all think the same!
I’m not trying to disuade you from AA (I have friends there as well) but you’re a long way from getting there (it def won’t be at 23) and things can and do change. Let me ask you a question? Say you’re flying for Envoy for a couple of years waiting for your flow to AA. Problem is hiring has slowed (and AA will only take so many from their own Regional). All your friends are jumping ship because Delta is hiring like crazy but you’re stuck because your signed a deal with AA. You cool with that? You 100% sure you’re moving to South Florida? Did you know MIA is a super senior base for MIA and it could be years before you get there? What if you don’t move for some reason and United has a base where you do go?
I could go on but I think you get my point. With all due respect, you’re very young, you haven’t even started your training but you’re willing to commit to one airline because one family friend who’s there says that’s where you should go. Your call but Id really give it some thought.
Oh and btw how many successful airline pilots has AA academy produced to date? ATP has had over 1,100 hired in the last 12mos alone.
Adam
Alex,
I just spoke to a gate agent in Charlotte the other evening who was attending the AA Academy later this year. For him, it was simply because he was already in-network and employee for AA. I asked him why not ATP, he simply said it was the in-network and convenience for him. He asked me where I did my training and I told him ATP, and the timeline it took me to be flying for an airline carrier and his eyes lit up.
Regardless of if you train at AA or ATP, you’re going to have to interview, build your time and seniority before you make it to training for the Boeing or Airbus. ATP also has partners to other airlines, Delta, United, and the list goes on for another 35 carriers.
No offence to AA Academy, I have not seen many pilots come out of their program, but what resources do they have that ATP has… ATP has:
Brady
Brady,
ATPs numbers are certainly impressive. Thanks for sharing.
Alex
Alex,
They are really impressive but what they represent is more so.
All the mentors on this forum are ATP grads who all have become successful airline pilots. While I fear we sometimes sound like it, none of us are salesmen, nor do we receive any incentive to get you to enroll. We were all simply in the same position you’re in now. We all wanted a career in aviation, did our research and determined that ATP was the best route. For me that was almost 20yrs ago and I’m now a Capt and Check Airman for Hawaiian Airlines. I truly fortunate, have the greatest job on Earth and honestly don’t believe Id be where I am now without ATP. Sure there are other flight schools but none can boast the same success rate as ATP. This isn’t just a huge financial decision, this is the single most important decision you can make when it comes to your possible future as a pilot. I encourage you to do your research and decide what’s best for YOU. Just remember when all is said and done you simply want to give yourself the best chance of success. The numbers above demonstrate that means ATP.
Adam
Adam,
I 100% agree. I’ll be doing more research to learn as much as I can about the industry before I begin flight school.
Alex
Alex,
Browse the forum, it is full of great information to get you started. Of course, feel free to ask any questions you have as well. That’s what we’re here for.
Hannah
