Hi all,
I am very interested in starting a new career as a pilot and ATP looks like a great way to start. I am currently 25, working full time, and live with my parents. I am a little concerned about leaving a full time job, getting into sizable debt, and paying student loans while not working. I also have to pay for my own benefits in May of 2025.
I do have an Associates degree in business, being pilot sounds like the coolest job a person could have, and would like to hear some advice from some ATP alumni (especially if your situation matches mine).
Like many, you’re in the same boat as I was in 2019, when I first came to the forum. I would like to share my experiences with obtaining the loan, and then refinancing. I just actually was able to refinance again with promotional rates, to chop another 2.5% off of my APR. My goal is to make my finance charges less than 50% of what they originally were going to be.
If you ask any of us that fly, we’re bias, flying is probably THE coolest job in the world (minus being an astronaut, but that’s an extremely rare position right now). ATP has been around for 40 years (Yes! This year is their 40th year) and building pilots from a zero knowledge/time to guiding them to the airlines. I’m a facts guy, ATP lists the facts on their website under the “about” webpage if you’re curious. We have a designated subcategory section here on the forum called “student experiences,” which I recommend checking out.
My first question to you is, do you have any flight experience in a training aircraft? That typically is the first thing I ask whenever someone approaches me about flight training. Right now, it sounds like you’re seeking finance reassurance and outlook on experiences at ATP. I’d also recommend if you have a nearby ATP location you could attend, set up an Admission Flight and get a tour of the training center, to meet current student and instructors.
I was in your same shoes as well back in 2018. I left my pretty good paying job, moved across the country and back in with my parents and lived off of my 401k savings. I took out the hefty loan with a goal and a dream.
Luckily, my parents were generous in feeding and housing me through the program. I utilized tuition reimbursement programs throughout my time building as a CFI which helped pay off my monthly loan payments and then when I got to skywest I was able to refinance to 3.2%. It hasn’t been easy but was SO worth the sacrifices to get where I am today. I love my life now and pinch myself every day that I get paid to do what I love.
Many things “look cool” from the outside but until you actual try you don’t know. Playing football looks cool, then a 300lb linebacker gives you a concussion then it’s not so much. Being a chef looks easy until you discover you can’t even boil water
You don’t mention any flight experience and no sitting in the back of a Boeing going on vacation doesn’t count. Until you sit in the front of a small training aircraft you really won’t know if flying is something that is anything more than just looking cool.
I don’t have any flight experience but have always wanted to. There’s an ATP location about 45 mins away. I’m working on doing an admission flight as we speak to see if I want to pursue.
You are absolutely right! I watch football every Sunday but know I can’t compete with those guys haha. First thing I need to do right now is an admission flight. Thank you for the response!
