Career Change Hypotheticals

Airline Pilot Questions & Answers
1

Hello,
I’m 36 and have been in the business world since graduating college 14 years ago. My job is fine. I do well, isn’t too difficult, and make good money. Regardless of those things, I keep asking myself if I really want to do what I do for another 25 years +. I want to do something more intrinsically rewarding. I’ve always been interested in aviation and enjoy flying. I even have a family member that has their PPL and own plane. If it wasn’t for having a wife and a three year old, my decision to make a complete career change would be much easier. I’m having to weigh the reality of what the next 3 years would be like on them as well as the financial aspect. With that said, I want to have as much information as possible in order to make the best decision I can. I fully understand that nothing in this field is guaranteed. I’ve read the threads and get it. However, I’d like to put some questions out there and if anyone has insight they can provide, it would be much appreciated.

  • I’m considering getting my PPL from a local airport rather than going through ATP. Reason being, I can still keep my full time job while gaining my hours for the PPL. I’ll need as much money as possible since my income the next three years will be significantly lower than it is now. I know I’ll need to get acclimated to the ATP “way” if I go this route. With that said, does it make sense to do the 5 month program rather than the 7 month?
  • Has anyone been through the ATP training in Raleigh as that is where I would do the schooling? I live only 20 minutes from the airport.
  • After completing the course, I will need to get my 1500 flight hours as quickly as possible. It sounds like getting on as an ATP instructor is the best way to do this. What is the likelihood of getting hired on by ATP in general? And likelihood of getting on in either Raleigh or Charlotte?
  • Is there a benefit to going the regional route rather than an airline like Avelo which works with ATP? Avelo has a base in Raleigh. Obviously that would be very convenient but know the stars would have to align for that. Other option is trying to get in with Piedmont or PSA since they have the Charlotte hub. Once again, fully understand there is no guarantee to be in Charlotte. From what I read, it sounds like Piedmont/PSA offer a path to American if you want it within 5 years which does sound appealing. Any thoughts?
  • Can anyone share a month schedule example for a new first officer? Either with a regional or a budget airline like Avelo or Spirit? I’ve seen some schedules on here but not sure how much seniority the posters have.

Thank you in advance for any guidance.

2

John,

  1. The only time I really recommend getting your PPL privately is if you’re unsure if you really want to fly as a career. The problem is in most cases people don’t fly consistently enough, don’t make progress and get frustrated and end up spending (wasting) a ton of money. That said you need to do what’s best for you. If you want to give your local school a shot then by all means. My caveat is that you set a realistic but finite goal (say 3-4mos TOPS) and if it’s not working you cut and run.

  2. Someone from Raleigh might chime in but it really doesn’t matter. ATP strives to offer the same experience and resources (instructors, planes, sims, etc) at ALL their locations (think McDonald’s). Further if someone had a great experience (or not) with a particular instructor in all likelihood they’ll be gone by the time you get there as movement is pretty quick. Choose the location that works best for you.

  3. Newsflash! EVERYBODY wants to get to 1500hrs asap! That’s a given. Do well in training, conduct yourself professionally throughout the program and you will be offered a position, don’t and you won’t. As for getting a specific location that’s really hit or miss. ATP tries to accommodate requests but their also not going to negatively affect instructors by overstaffing a location. Honestly you won’t know for sure till you’ve completed the program and are offered a list of available slots.

  4. The Regionals are the conventional route and many offer flows to Majors (which may or may not be a good thing). In the past you really didn’t have a choice as the LCCs requirements were often as high as the Majors. The pilot shortage has changed that and direct paths are now an option. Thing is this industry is always changing and and airline like Avelo could prove to be a great option or they could close their doors. This is more something to ponder while building your time and weighing the options available at that time vs what might or might not be 2-3yrs from now.

  5. If you check the Schedule section you’ll see our actual schedules and you can go back up when some of the mentors were newhires. With that in mind as a newhire you can figure on being gone at least half the month and missing holidays for a while.

Adam

1 Like
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Thanks for the thorough and detailed response, Adam. I really appreciate you taking the time! Good stuff.

4

John,

Welcome to the forum, let’s get to your questions.

  1. I do not recommend getting your PPL outside of ATP. I got my PPL at a local flight school, it took way too long, cost too much money, and helped me gain some bad habits along the way. I vote that you continue to work and save money until you are ready to do the seven month program, I wish that I had done this.

  2. I am not sure if we have any RDU students on here or not, but I did doing just a bit of training out of there myself many years ago. It is a good facility and more importantly, there is plenty of wide open airspace around RDU to allow you to effectively flight train.

  3. ATP hires based on their needs at the time. I cannot give a percent odds of getting hired, or getting a specific location. What I can say is that there is constant flow of CFIs being hired, and then leaving for the airlines when they are ready. Do well in the program, dress and act the part, and you will have an increased chance of getting hired.

  4. I think that ATP’s partnerships with airlines like Avelo are amazing opportunities and I would highly recommend that anybody partake in them if they can. That being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the regional route either. Just keep in mind that any of the flow programs to the majors come with “expected times” and no guarantees whatsoever.

  5. Check out Brady and Hannah’s schedules, they are both relatively new in their positions.

Chris