Hello all,
My name is Jeff, I have a lot of questions, is there a way I can reach out to one of the pilot mentors directly? Is ATP a good school to attend, I was looking into Epic or is there any pathway from the airlines? I live in DC I am considering to relocate to FL for school since I have family there as well. is there a better school to recommend? I’ll just lead with this for now.
Jeff,
First off this forum was created to help aspiring pilots find there way. You’re free to ask anything and everything but the point is for others to learn and share so no, there’s no personal offline mentoring.
As for whether ATP is a good school or not, if you look up to the left you’ll clearly see the ATP logo. This is ATPs forum and all the mentors are successful ATP grads who are now airline pilots. While we’re not salespeople, suffice to say we’re all biased towards ATP. We were all where you are now at some point, trying to figure out the best route to the airlines. We did our research, decided on ATP and are glad we did.
Why ATP? In addition to their reputation, accelerated timeline and fixed price, here’s some fun facts:
ATP has been training pilots for the airlines for 40yrs and pioneered the Airline Career Pilot Program. While there are many schools NOW offering zero to professional programs, ATP did it first.
ATP pioneered the airline partnerships that are now commonplace and has relationships with virtually every airline in the country.
Over 1,100 grads hired by airlines in the last 12mos alone DESPITE the slow down in hiring. Over 25,000 since they started.
Over 78 locations and over 500 aircraft, the largest in the country.
Sure there are other routes but after doing my research I don’t believe there’s any better. You should do yours too but I’m confident you’ll come to the same answer.
Adam
Jeff,
I’m a numbers guy, simple to put it. ATP has all their facts listed on their website:
My first question for you is, do you have any flight experience? What makes you want to become a pilot?
If you look in the upper left-hand corner of the forum, you’ll see a little ATP logo, this forum is sponsored, yes, are we bias, I am… ATP delivered to me what they promised, all that was asked of me is I promised to deliver what they needed. If you show up to every lesson prepared, take the time to do the work behind the scenes, it is easier. While learning to fly can be a challenge and bear to some, this is something that can make it easier.
I recommend doing some digging on both ATP’s website and forum. I recommend also taking an Admissions Flight with ATP sooner rather than later. I also recommend taking a few other schools introductory flights as well. Do your research now, so you know what’s best for YOU. I came to this forum in 2019 asking for advice:
Do you have any other direct questions that we can help? You left it pretty vague and it’s hard to hit the specifics with such format, I’m sorry I may have missed things.
Brady
Same exact story, but mine is if I were in the reverse for the air force as a fighter pilot, how would that affect me getting hired at the regionals and then going to a major. I understand the AF has the weekends and 2 weeks of active duty.
Ben,
I’m sorry but I have no idea what you’re asking or what part of your story is the same as anything above?
Adam
Sorry for the confusion. My question refers to if I were in the reserves as a fighter pilot, would that affect my ability to get hired, as I know some airlines seem to like military pilots? Meaning that I only have a weekend to a few days plus 2 weeks each year. Also, thanks for the helpful information. Just out of curiosity, have you flown the river pattern into KDCA? And how do you pack food for long trips, or do you just do grab and go?
Ben,
Being in the reserves (as a pilot) is desirable to the airlines. The airlines will work with your reserve schedule, they are required to do so by law.
I have from the River Visual into DCA. It is interesting to say the least and one of the more difficult approaches that we do in the US.
I do not pack food for my trips. We get fed quite a bit at work and I purchase whatever else I need.
Chris
Ben,
I have many friends who are reservists. Not a problem at all EXCEPT when a reservist gets hired, then goes active duty for a year or 2 to avoid being on Reserve at the airline and a junk schedule and then shows up when things get good. While the airlines don’t mind, your fellow pilots do.
It’s been years, but yes I have done the river visual. The channel visual in HNL is more fun.
Some bring little cooler bags, some buy food, some do a combo. Pretty much anything you can imagine.
Adam
Why is it that they like these pilots more? Is it the leadership training they receive, or more so that it shows they can handle complex jets?
Ben,
Neither. It’s because the military doesn’t just hand the keys to a $350mil plane to anyone. They have a degree and have gone through a very thorough screening process. They’ve also committed themselves to the service of their country.
Long short it demonstrates a level of commitment, responsibility and conduct not everyone possesses.
Adam
Ben,
I can’t really speak on the military hiring and flying as a military pilot, I have many colleagues who do MIL (military leave) from time-to-time, who have to work around that.
As for food, I think you will typically see the larger airlines like the majors providing meals due to the nature of the flight(s) than the regionals. Occasionally at the regional level, we’ll get crew meals if we fly for a certain amount of time within a period; that right now is 6 hours of duty time without a 55-minute break in between. I have thought about packing, I was just in a Crew Outfitters yesterday on a turn and I was looking at lunchboxes. I typically just buy food here and there, most hotels serve breakfast or a to-go box in the morning if we miss the hot breakfast. Coffee is a must, that I will splurge a little on.
Brady
Ben,
I have also flown the river visual in to DCA. Luckily I got to see the CA fly it a few times and take some notes before flying it myself.
The first time I was at the controls was at night with a stiff crosswind which made it a bit more difficult but nonetheless I really enjoyed it. I love hand flying when the conditions are appropriate which makes approaches like these feel a little more normal.
Hannah
I feel left out here… #TheNoRiverVisualClub 
Maybe when you get to fly a real jet…
2 Likes
In all fairness, before I came to Piedmont we did go into DCA, we did go into LGA… then from my understanding we got “kicked out” of LGA due to a single-engine performance debacle. I think it has to come more from the first-class and business aspect of customer base; however, I always joke with passengers we have 18 first-class seats all on the left side of the airplane. 
Brady
Would have fighter pilot experience in the military as a reserve pilot in a f22 or 35 allow me to skip the regional airlines and go straight to the legacy’s assuming that I do some flight time in college prior to joining?
Ben,
It possibly could but keep in mind most fighter pilots don’t fly many hours. I know quite a few who while they bypassed the Regionals, had to do some other flying in the military to get their hours up to the mins.
If you’re looking for a quick route that isn’t it. Also you’d have to have a 4yr degree prior to getting a fighter slot.
Adam
Ben,
Keep in mind that generally speaking, a pilot slot in the military comes with a ten year commitment.
Ben,
Yes it is possible. I have flown with a few pilots that came straight out of active duty to United as their first 121 airline. However, most had thousands of hours when they were hired. Check out this program below. I didn’t see any hour requirements specifically listed but I’m sure it’s at HR’s discretion based on hiring needs and supply of pilots.
Hannah