Hello, student pilot at a 141 school here!
Am planning on receiving instrument rating (already taking ground lessons) in about 3-4 months then am seriously contemplating ATP flight school for the rest of my journey to the airlines.
Apart from the financial aspects, I want to know if relinquishing my R-ATP from my 141 school alongside whether or not going through a “cadet program” will really give me “prioritization” when I finally do apply to airlines or if experience is all that matters.
Yonathan,
ATP only has 2 points of entry with your PPL or zero time. If you decide to earn your IR you will not be accepted into the program.
ATPs partnerships are reserved for ATP students and yes they get prioritization over many other grads, but you can’t jump in at the end to get them.
Adam
Understood, thanks you for the insight.
Complete transparency, should I transfer to ATP after receiving my PPL so I can reap this “accelerated benefit and the potential prioritization,” but then go into debt or stick it out with my 141 school, take approx. 1-1.5 yrs longer to receive my CFI but not go into debt.
I am simply inquiring if I really do transfer, what would be the long-term benefits of going into this debt besides a shorter timeline and potentially more students as a CFI?
Yonathan,
That’s a decision only you can make BUT, let me say this. The average airline pilot earns $250,000yr and has a finite number of years to work. That’s $250k (or more) you’ll never earn losing that year not to mention a year of seniority thats invaluable.
Your call.
Adam
Yonathan,
Welcome to the forum, if you’re considering withdrawing from your P141 school to attend ATP, ATP has three entry points: Zero Time, Credit Solo, Credit Private. If you enter ATP with your already instrument certificate in hand, you will still have to repeat the phase, there is no custom program.
It seems you’re wanting to utilize ATP’s partnerships for your career, which many do and that’s one of the reasons why they choose ATP. ATP is a highly desired flight school for flight training and with the continued success and growing business, partnerships that ATP have were founded, developed and modified specifically for the ATP family. Granted your P141 may have some partnerships, have you looked into theirs?
I’m also confused, you talk about beginning your instrument training in 3-4 months, but replying to Adam’s comment, you talk about after receiving your PPL. Where are you exactly in your training?
First year FO’s are making approximately $100,000 their first year, while loans may seem like a bear, there are ways to tackle the debt, and refinancing is always an option.
Brady