Hey guys what are the chances I can be a CFI at the ATP location I chose to learn at or atleast around the same area I would like to stay local.
Dylan,
Not sure what the actual odds are but it really comes down to luck. ATP offers instructors open positions based on staffing needs and they will not overstaff based on yours. If your location needs an instructor when you’re ready AND there’s no one else waiting before you) you’ll get it. If not you won’t. You can wait a little, start at another location or just pass and find a job elsewhere. If you do accept a position at another location you can list yourself for transfer but again there’s no way of knowing how long that will take.
Again it comes down to the luck of the draw.
Adam
If I did all my flight school at ATP but not the CFI could I still get their direct hire benefits ? Thank you
Dylan,
No the direct hire benefits are for program grads that continue to instruct with ATP. If you’re wanting the benefits of the pathway programs, you must be flexible enough to go to open locations or patient enough to wait for the location nearest you.
Hannah
Oh okay thank you and is possible to go straight to a major airline or do I need to go to regional first? And if I can go straight to a major what do I need to do?
Dylan,
Flying for a Major airline is the pinnacle of our profession. Pilots who fly for Majors are the top earners and fly the largest and newest equipment. What you need to do to get to a Major is build time and experience like the thousands of others pilots competing for a position and frankly not everyone is successful.
So the question is why would Delta, United etc hire you rather than a Regional Captain with experience and thousands of hours flying for an airline? Or conversely why would thousands of pilots start their careers at Regionals if they could go straight to a Major?
Adam
Yea that makes sense it’s just because ATP said that you can go from instructor to spirit airlines which I thought was a major
Dylan,
Yes, Spirit is a major airline, my colleagues were referring to the legacy airlines such as Delta, American and United. ATP does offer direct programs to both Spirit and Frontier Airlines. You will need to get your CFI ratings through ATP and then instruct with ATP to be eligible for such programs.
Dylan,
Keep in mind that these programs are very competitive and take the best of the best candidates. You should be focused on your training first. One rating at a time, staying out of trouble and staying healthy. Once you check each box, graduate and start instructing for ATP you can explore those programs.
The point here, there are no easy routes to the top. It takes time and a lot of work to make it in this industry. If there is a program that allows you to “skip the line” so to speak, you better believe it’s a competitive program to get in to.
Hannah