ATP License

[LRaimundo91]

Hi all!

Not shure this is the right place for post this, or if there's someone here able to awser my questions, but I thought I should give it a try.

I am portuguese, I can speak, write, understand english, or so my teacher says, and I was biten by the aviation bug from a very tender age. I got good grades at Maths and Physics, and I would like to work as a Airliner Pilot. The question is, that I would like to do in the USA, but I have no idea on where and what to look up. What prices should I expect? Is geting a job easy? And just another thing, the ATP license is valid worldwide, right? so that I can get a job everwhere on the planet?

Thanks for reading!

[RingwaySam]

Try http://www.pprune.org/forums/

[Bok269]

Right now the US airlines are desperate for pilots. That being said, you can't just get hired off the street. Start at your local flight school. Work on your Private Pilot's license, and move up from there. You need 1500 hours to get an ATP, so here in the US you typically only need a commercial multi license to get an airline job.

[JordanD]

Right now the US airlines are desperate for pilots. That being said, you can't just get hired off the street. Start at your local flight school. Work on your Private Pilot's license, and move up from there. You need 1500 hours to get an ATP, so here in the US you typically only need a commercial multi license to get an airline job.

Ya I think ATP's are just required for the majors now. Most of them say it's preferred though.

[Crism]

You only need an ATP to become a Captain, no matter what airline. Otherwise it's just a Commercial Multi-Engine

[LRJet Guy]

If you're going to fly an airliner operated by an airline in a country outside the US, chances are you'll need certificates issued by the aviation governing body of the country you're flying for. Either that or a JAA issued certificate. I'm honestly not sure how it all works outside the US.

As far as an ATP, like already said, you need 1500 total time and some other time requirements before you can take the practical test. You only need a commercial certificate to get hired at an airline, and that will suffice for pretty much every regional out there.

Getting on with a major is a different story. Most require it, and even if they don't in writing, you will need it to be competitive.

I'll put it to you this way. I've got over 4000 hrs, about 3000 turbine, most of it cross country and an ATP. I've applied at DL, NW, CO, Air Tran, Spirit, Frontier, and NetJets. I've only heard from NetJets. With those times, I'm still not competitive for a job at a major airline. With those same times, I could probably call almost any regional out there and be in class the following Monday.

[Crunk415balla]

I've been told regionals will help you get an ATP somewhere along the line.

As far as what to expect, expect to spend a lot of money, the private alone will more than likely cost more than $8,000. I would suggest in your situation that you find a school like ATP-Airline Transport Professionals and take a faster, structured program at one of their U.S. locations. They're a very good school from what I hear, I plan to do my multi-engine there.

[LRJet Guy]

You'll get your ATP during your type ride at a regional. That will happen when you upgrade. I don't know of any regionals that type you as an FO.

[Bok269]

I've been told regionals will help you get an ATP somewhere along the line.

As far as what to expect, expect to spend a lot of money, the private alone will more than likely cost more than $8,000. I would suggest in your situation that you find a school like ATP-Airline Transport Professionals and take a faster, structured program at one of their U.S. locations. They're a very good school from what I hear, I plan to do my multi-engine there.

ATP is a rip off. Cost way more than doing it local and really gives you no great advantage. Find a good FBO and do it there. Doing one rating there may be OK, but not for going zero to FO

[Crunk415balla]

Are you serious, a rip off? Here in the Bay Area, you're lucky if you spend less than $50,000 by the time you get to CFI. Plus that won't get you more than a few hours multi time. ATP is a bargin compared to that.

[Bok269]

Looking at the ATP ad in Flying, They charge 9k for the 85 hour PPl program and another 50k for their career program. I'm also pretty sure that most of it gets paid upfront, so if you decide you hate it, you are screwed. Some people love it, but personally I don't feel like spending that much to become a 250 hour wonder. Individual ratings, maybe. But not the whole thing. If you decide thats how you want to do it, then I say go for it. Just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.

[JSchraub]

Yes but it is a FLAT RATE instead of paying by the hour at the FBO.. at an FBO it could come out costing you more than it did at ATP..

[Bok269]

Yes but it is a FLAT RATE instead of paying by the hour at the FBO.. at an FBO it could come out costing you more than it did at ATP..

That is true. In a way its gamble as to whether youll be able to do it in less hours than what ATP would cost you. At most FBOs aside from major metropolitan areas, its cheaper to do it local.

[screaming_emu]

Imost of it cross country and an ATP.

you guys do cross countries?

Actually planning on sending a resume to you guys in the somewhat near future if I don't hear from some others.

[screaming_emu]

ATP is a rip off. Cost way more than doing it local and really gives you no great advantage. Find a good FBO and do it there. Doing one rating there may be OK, but not for going zero to FO

The big advantage of going to ATP is that a good bunch of your flight time is multi engine time, which is the most difficult to come by.