I plan on getting some online courses done for bachelors during ATP Flight School and hopefully United Express/CommutAir.
I am guessing after reading a few material, and bachelors just has to be ready when transitioning into United as a first officer. So I am guessing that I can fly with United Express/CommutAir with the United Aviate Program without a bachelors?
Yes or no.
Thanks!
Brian,
Yes you can fly for a regional carrier in the Aviate program without the bachelors degree but you must have it completed by the time you transition to United.
https://unitedaviate.com/aviate-program-career-paths/flight-school
-Hannah
Brian,
Yes, your understanding is correct. You will need a degree to make the jump to United though.
Chris
ok hannah, i was hoping to take my online college degree not through flight school with APT, but as soon as i get my instructor job with ATP and during the time when I fly for united express as well. I can do my bachelors in 3 years fast track i believe, and I just started now, so i have until from now till January when I join ATP to take college, and then after iām finished with their pilot training as well. up until i reach the end of my 2000 hour or 24 months with united express.
Iām hoping with the costs involved, with the airline pilot program, housing, fees, equipment etc. i should have enough to get through at least into regional where i can support myself. i have a good amount saved up for the $112k thatās required to pay for the airline pilot program, thatās good.
So Iām hoping thereās no additional big costs, like 10k here, or 20k there maybe even 40k, after ATP flight school is paid for. And i should be able to pay for online course with what I have in my savings, and plus money that Iām getting from flight instructor and then eventually working for regionals.
iām just hoping thereās no really really big expenses during my 9 month pilot program training. because currently, Iām leaving my job in december to pursue a career in the airlines industry. Itās a big risk for me. iām 38 years old, and am leaving a 15 year work experience history to come and be a pilot. and so so so many things could go wrong. thatās why iām trying to figure everything out.
Brian,
During my training I was always waiting for the big āoh btw thereās an extra charge forā¦ā. It never came. When ATP says the price is fixed and guaranteed they mean. The only additional charges are clearly stated on the website:
Adam
Brian,
I donāt recommend starting online college until reaching a regional airline. When I instructed for ATP I worked 12-16 hour days 6-7 days a week.
There are no surprises when it comes to cost. The cost of the program as well as the additional items that are not included in the program are all advertised on ATPās website. The only time you may incur extra charges is if you need extra training.
Tory
Wow Tory, thanks for your help. itās really hard for me having to leave my job. I have been in this industry for 15 years now, and itās a big deal for me to take this risk and not have to fail. Thanks for all your help!
Brian,
I understand. I felt the same way as you when I first started. However, thatās the reality of the situation. We all took the same risk. Some have no problem jumping right in, others sign up for the Flex Track program, others start even slower and earn their PPL at a local school before emerging themselves in the Fast Track Program.
The good news is that ATP has an 80% success rate. Best advice I have is to just trust the program. Read this if you havenāt already. I wrote it when I became a Mentor. A lot of it is based on things that I wish I would have done differently: What does an ATP student need to do to be successful? - #5
Tory
thanks Tory I will read it. hey, i just spoke to some ATP help desk guy and he said you need a bachelors degree when going for the Aviate interview after getting your private pilots license, but i told him the minimum requirements on the Aviate website says, high school diploma or GED equivalent. He says itās required for the interview because they donāt want to waste time and money accepting someone into their program without finishing a degree.
he says he is knew to ATP. so iām thinking he does not know all the facts, but iām asking you tory if that is what the interviewers at united actually do? iām thinking since their requirements state that all you need to apply is ged and high school, then itās ok to get accepted at their aviate program. what do you think? it should be fine as long as you get your degree before transitioning into United Airlines.
The United Aviate Program has their own Help Desk. Have you reached out the them?
Tory
not yet. i do believe i sent them an email though. but i canāt remember. i have not called them. i think itās just email only.
When you receive a concrete answer, please let us know. Itās important that we have accurate information.
Tory
Tory,
I may be able to help a little more tomorrow, currently sitting in a hotel in beautiful Denver, Colorado for an interview tomorrow. Iāll see what I can learn from the Aviate interview.
Brady
Brian,
I was just grabbing the link I posted to you earlier but Chris has the clip from it. It isnāt needed until you transition to United. However, I second what Tory said. There simply arenāt enough hours in the day to go to college and be a full time instructor. Your students need a lot of extra time at all hours of the day aside from the time in the airplane. One will suffer if you try to take time for your studies aside from your Instructor duties. I would wait and start your degree after IOE at the regionals.
-Hannah
I would love to hear it.
Brian,
As someone that has gone through the Aviate interview, I can say that all the information thatās discussed or required is right on their website as advertised. Everyone that I met has at minimum a bachelorās degree, some CFIs and others just working on their training.
Any questions specific to Aviate can be asked right through a āsubmit queryā form on their website. Everything is straight forward of their requirements, Chris attached a screenshot for all to see regarding the degree.
Brady
Howād it go? Did I see you say it was here in Denver?
Chris,
It is conducted right at the FTC in Denver, Iāll have more to come shortly.
Brady
So itās minimum requirement to have a high school GED to submit an application for Aviate. I know that, itās posted on there website.
But once you go to the interview after you get your private pilots license and applying, are they expecting you to have a Bachelors degree? I thought the interview would be good for a high school GED until you complete your online courses before you transition into United Airlines?
