Working 10 hours a week during ATP training

Hi again everyone!

I had another quick question for you all that has been on my mind. I mentioned last time that I currently am living overseas playing basketball, and on the side I work like 10 hours a week in a sales job which is nice to have a little extra money to save. I also work as much or as little as I want and choose my schedule. The thing about the job though, is I get nice benefits that I think would be very nice to have while in flight school as long as I am hitting certain minimums that I think I can hit in 6-8 work hours per week.

I know ATP students don’t normally work while in training but do you think it would be completely out of the question to work just like 8 hours a week maybe on saturdays?

Thanks!

Heath

Your schedule at ATP will be highly volatile depending on aircraft/equipment availability, weather and Instructor schedule. I’ve had flights rescheduled to early in the morning at 2200 the night before, events scheduled same day, 4 hours later. You really never know what can happen.

You are expected to be available for these schedule changes.

That said, it wouldn’t be impossible. But I would recommend really thinking if you think it will work in your situation. The accelerated nature of the schedule is designed to get you trained in as little time as possible.

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Ok That makes sense. Thank you!

Heath,

This is a very frequently asked question, you know our answer and our answer is always the same. Working during the program is highly discouraged.

Now this is America and you can do as you like but the program requires an extreme amount of commitment mentally, physically and financially. If you choose to distract yourself that’s your decision and if there are negative consequences that’s on you. When you bust a checkride that’s on your FAA record forever and can impact your entire career. If risking that is worth “some benefits that are nice to have” then again that’s your decision but it’s a bad one.

Adam

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Thanks! That’s why I was asking. I just wanted to check but knowing this I will quit the job before my program starts.

Heath,
I think that’s wise… Even if you’re doing well and on pace, those extra hours on the weekends should be spent resting and preparing for what’s about to come next. Believe us, you’ll thank yourself later for it.
-Hannah

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That makes sense. Thanks Hannah!

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Hey Heath,

Honestly man, the only thing that I’m planning to do as far as work during the program is Uber and Amazon flex blocks due to their flexibility. Just throwing ideas at you. Even if it’s just picking someone on the way to and from school, at least that will pay for gas. Amazon flex is like 3 hours blocks that you can choose to do whenever you feel like. You obviously need a car for these things, good thing about them is no schedule or commitment to accommodate your studies.

Marwan

Marwan,

I cannot remember if you enrolled in the Flex Track or Fast Track, but if you are Fast Track, I would really discourage any form of work. The programs highly accelerated, you need every spare moment for studying. To work will be at your own peril.

Chris

Chris,

I’m enrolled in the fast track. I’m only keeping these options if there’s time for them, they’re obviously gig type of work. I 100% agree with you and I would never let anything take time away from my study or even rest time for that matter, they’re only spare options, if the time for them does come up. The priority is always gonna be my studies

Marwan

Marwan,

Good, just wanted to check.

Chris

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