Hello everyone! First time poster here and currently a student at ATP preparing for my instrument checkride! My question for any past students is, are we at all able to transfer locations where we are being taught? My wife was offered her dream career job out of grad school but they want her to start working at a specific date that is in the middle of my timeline to graduate out in north Dallas not too far from the Addison ATP location. We are not at a financial place where we can afford 2 different leases with everything else. We currently live in our own home not the ATP housing.
Lucas,
Contact Student Support for this and they will be able to help you.
Chris
Thank you very much Chris!
Lucas,
Training Center transfers are rare, but they do happen. Good luck!
Tory
Hello, all.
My son, a senior in high school, is taking his discovery flight Friday in his effort to determine if being a commercial pilot is what he really wants to do.
Follow up question to original post:
One does not get to choose their ATP training location?
As far as I’m aware you get to choose. I chose PAE and was accepted for the month I wanted in. That being said, some locations fill up fast so you may have to wait to get in the one you want.
Virginia,
Students get to choose their training center. CFIs on the other hand, do not. CFIs submit their preferred location and ATP does their best to match CFIs to those requests.
Tory
Virginia,
One absolutely gets to chose their training location.
When it comes time to flight instruct, new instructors chose from available locations.
Chris
Thanks y’all. My son had his discovery flight this past Friday. He’s hooked. Now it’s just a matter of finding the best school at the most reasonable rate. I’m open to suggestions and guidance.
1 Like
Virginia,
First off I’d encourage your son to join the forum himself. These are grownup decisions and will continue to become more so as he progresses.
Second as you’re aware this is ATPs forum and we’re all fans because this was the route we chose and ultimately were successful. Your son should do his research, or at least participate in the process.
Adam
Im 60 yrs old. Im going to do take this program. Adam… You fly the Airbus correct. Now do you fly to all the Hawaiian Islands or do you go elsewhere to. And this question is to all the airlines pilots. Have you had airlines pilots start at 60?
Lawrence,
I was flying the ScareBus but I’m back flying the 717 Interisland and only fly within the state of Hawaii. When I on the Bus we fly as East as Boston, West to Beijing and South to New Zealand. While it was a blast seeing the World, the long flights I found exhausting.
I know of one pilot who was hired at 60 at a Regional but it’s rare. Also know if you start now you wouldn’t have the hours for an airline till 62 at best. Honestly I don’t see that happening.
Adam
Lawrence,
While I appreciate your desire to fly, at your age Would recommend just getting a private license and flying for fun.
Chris
Hi Chris:
I’m a little younger (53). Have been flying as a Guy in Back in the Air National Guard for 10 years & have a little under 1600 hrs, with about 500 hrs of combat time in Afghanistan & Iraq. I know how to navigate & communicate & have decided now it’s time to learn the aviate part. I have plenty of access to airplanes & instructors here in Atlanta where I live & at Robins AFB where we fly out of.
The pilots in my squadron have encouraged me to start now so I can have a 10-yr second career in aviation when I retire from the guard in 2 years. However reading many of the posts here gives me pause. Assuming I get my required ratings & hours by retirement is there a legitimate chance for me to become a commercial pilot? I know the majors will not be possible. But are regionals a possibility for me to aspire?
Thanks for all your time & the great information provided here.
Lt Col Victor “JAG” Ellis
128th ACCS
GA ANG
(yes, I am a lawyer!)
Victor,
Absolutely! As long as you’re aware you won’t be going to a Major (which you say) and you’re good with that the Regionals love older pilots. It costs a lot of money to train a pilot and all the young ones are looking to jump sit asap. You know you’re not going anywhere and they can get a solid 10 years out of you. You’re actually a better investment.
Adam
1 Like
I was thinking about being an instructor.
Lawrence,
If you’re talking about for ATP or your local flight school fine but if you’re still talking about the airlines then again I have to say your chances are low.
What you need to understand is the reason there’s a pilot shortage is partially due to all the retirements. Among those retirements are a number of VERY experienced and knowledgeable airline pilots who’d still like to work and be a part of the industry.
Adam
Thanks Adam - much appreciated. Looking forward to this new chapter in my aviation career.
- vae