I’m new here, and I’m looking to start my ATP journey in August 2020! I am specifically interested in aiming for the United Aviate program, and I am wondering if anyone has done that or has more information on the program? I noticed there was also an American Airlines path through ATP, and that program mentioned a specific number of available tuition reimbursement. I saw that the Aviate program also mentioned tuition reimbursement, but it did not state how much. Does anyone know roughly how much tuition reimbursement is available through Aviate?
The United Aviate program is very new so you’re not going to find anyone with actual program experience. That said it’s United’s program and they don’t mess around so I’m sure it’ll be successful and equal if not better to AAs.
As for the Tuition Reimbursement currently that’s usually around $500 and caps around $15k. That said I have heard rumors United may up the ante?
I have some experience with this program, I was actually one of the first applicants who was called for the panel interview. United Aviate is a great path, your will not interview with United’s express airlines, you will go directly to United’s training facility in Denver and go through the 3 paces of the interview(HR interview, skills panel, and a personality test). they don’t mention anything about reimbursement or bonuses since they know you will be interviewing with a feeder and get money from them at some point, but they do offer professional support and pilot development programs which is what I personally was looking for and a direct path to United, no more interviews needed. Cons of this program is that it’s extremely competitive, your literary interviewing with the majors and they expect you to be the best of the best, really!.. , I heard only 30% of applicants are being accepted, and it will continue to get more competitive as United adds more partners and I believe they just bought a flight school, so they are serious about their pilot shortage in the future.
I had just passed my commercial check-ride when I interviewed with them. But I think you can apply as soon as you get your PPL, IF your training at one of United’s partner universities or flight schools. also, just to let you know, most people applying and being interview are CFIs, or that’s what I notices when I was there.
Hi Jasson, thanks for your input. So when you say it’s competitive, can you be more specific? Could you give more details about the 3 parts of the interview? What makes this program more difficult than say other programs?
You said most people being interviewed are CFIs so it’s not like they can expect you to be a seasoned veteran, how do they gauge potential?
I believe most of the agreements require you to pay the money back immediately upon severing your relationship with the airline in question. The whole point of Tuition Reimbursement from an airline’s perspective is to secure a future pipeline of pilots, so it is important for both the airline and the pilot to honor their commitments.
Thank you, I reckon if you have the ability to wait, it’s best to wait till your closer to 1500, so you could have a chance at going straight to a LLC, or explore other options, but also tuition Reimbursement is great as well…
Anyhow, thank you.
While I understand the need and benefit of Tuition Reimbursement, if you can wait, I most definitely would. As you said, alot can (and does) change and I’d be reluctant to lock myself in until I was ready. In reality you wouldn’t be forfeiting anything as most of the carriers offer the money as Tuition Reimbursement or a signing bonus.
Further I don’t like the idea of reneging on a deal, particularly one that has a partnership with a Major airline or 2. One of the ATP certificate requires states the applicant is of “good moral character”. I recently read a thread on FB that I found very disturbing. It was a aviation news story that said Cape Air was going to raise their minimums because so many of their pilots bailed when they hit 1500hrs and breaking their hiring agreement. What bothered me wasn’t the fact Cape Air was making this change, but the dozens of comments blaming the airline for not paying enough and how they were getting what they deserve. The fact is Cape Air didn’t put a gun to anyone’s head to sign and they all obviously thought it would be a good opportunity when no one would hire them with less than 1500hrs. Where I come from a deal is a deal and agreements are to be honored but apparently that’s no longer the case. That said it’s a VERY small industry and I would be very hesitant to burn bridges early in my career.
I completely agree. I do not plan to burn any bridges when that time comes, I’ve just read different things and was wandering. Im going to try to use the deferment as long as possible and then see where life is then… more opportunities come around the 1250hrs correct? Specifically with the llc’s?
Anyhow, where I’m from as well, that’s definitely not the right thing to do. And it would be a bad start to a long career!
