Its official, I'm gonna be a pilot when I grow up!!!

[Heath]

Well, I finally did it. I turned in my resignation at my career of 10 years, where I made pretty decent money, so that I can live the dream and be a professional pilot eating Ramen!

Got the 100% endorsement from my wife, the best wife in the whole world, and was approved for a loan yesterday. I put down my deposit, start time-building on Sunday 2/20 to get up to the requisite 85 hrs and then officially start the 90-day program on Monday 2/28!!!! I am SO STOKED!

They said there's another guy starting at ATL on the 28th. He wouldn't happen to be a lurker here would he?

Well, I'm gonna try to update my experiences on here as often as time permits, which I understand can be really hard at times. But, I really want to do it as others have done it before and it served to inspire me. I figure its my turn to "pay it forward."

Gotta run now, I'm studying my Instrument book so I can try and knock out as many writtens as possible up front. Anyone done all five in a week?

[GaTechKid]

Congratulations Heath! You're going to have a ton of fun in the program. I have to admit that I'm a bit excited I'll actually finish before any new 90-day students.

[Captain_Bob]

Heath,

Congratulations! ...and Good Luck!

I've seen you posting here and doing research for a while. I'm glad things are going well for you and that you are in a position to persue your dream.

My life closely parallels yours in that I too was a career changer making a very decent living... giving it up to do what I had always dreamed of doing. I have no regrets! I hope you won't either. (oh yeah... my wife is an RN as well.)

Keep us posted on how things are going... Looks like you made a nice choice to attend ATP... but attending ATL vs DFW?? I wonder about that choice. JK

Take care and enjoy the ride!

Bob

PS: a comfortable study/test schedule would be something like this...

Study now for the Instrument and II... same test bank. Take those two tests on Day One of the program. Day one is just a bunch of paperwork anyway and usually only a half day.

Then 1 week for CAX, 1 week for FIA, and 1 weekend (if that) for the FOI. In that order... if you stick to it... it's a fairly comfortable ride. That means you'll be done with all tests within 3 weeks of starting the program, and you will have less potential for stressing/burnout as you go.

[Heath]

[ QUOTE ]
Congratulations Heath! You're going to have a ton of fun in the program. I have to admit that I'm a bit excited I'll actually finish before any new 90-day students.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, when will you finish? You didn't take the full 10 months, did you? Seems like I remember you starting last fall. I have to admit, you're the only ATL student I know to be posting here. So on my interview last Thursday, every student I saw I was wondering, "I wonder if thats GA Tech Kid!"

[Heath]

[ QUOTE ]
Heath,

Congratulations! ...and Good Luck!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you, thank you!

[ QUOTE ]
I've seen you posting here and doing research for a while. I'm glad things are going well for you and that you are in a position to persue your dream.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah yes, the dream of poverty and happiness!

[ QUOTE ]
My life closely parallels yours in that I too was a career changer making a very decent living... giving it up to do what I had always dreamed of doing. I have no regrets! I hope you won't either. (oh yeah... my wife is an RN as well.)

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, ain't it grand to have a wife who can bring home the bacon while we get the cool job!

[ QUOTE ]
Keep us posted on how things are going... Looks like you made a nice choice to attend ATP... but attending ATL vs DFW?? I wonder about that choice. JK

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I think my wife would've raised an eyebrow if I'd CHOSEN to go to DFW given we live about 20 minutes from the ATL location! She knows we may have to endure some time apart if I fortunate enough to be hired but not fortunate enough to land a spot at ATL. But, that would be out of necessity. Hopefully, all the stars will be in alignment and I'll get hired by ATP and serve my sentence on the phones in JAX right as someone at ATL gets hired. Ahhh, one can only hope!

[ QUOTE ]
PS: a comfortable study/test schedule would be something like this...

Study now for the Instrument and II... same test bank. Take those two tests on Day One of the program. Day one is just a bunch of paperwork anyway and usually only a half day.

Then 1 week for CAX, 1 week for FIA, and 1 weekend (if that) for the FOI. In that order... if you stick to it... it's a fairly comfortable ride. That means you'll be done with all tests within 3 weeks of starting the program, and you will have less potential for stressing/burnout as you go.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the info on typical study times. I'm hoping to condense it a little faster than that! I'm thinking at the present rate that I'll be ready for the Instrument and II by Thursday. Then I'm gonna try to cram in the CAX by Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish FIA and FOI by the end of the first week.

I'd really like to get all the writtens down and out before I'm ready for any checkrides. That way I can at that point devote any study time to be spot-on ready for my practicals as they come.

That's the plan anyhow.

[SmitteyB]

Good Luck, glad to hear your pursuing your dream...one quick question...

Airlines or Cargo?

[GaTechKid]

I'll be spending spring break at an ATP facility. Until then, I wait.

[SATXaviator]

Heath,

Congrats! The first step is usually the hardest. I was in the same situation less the wife back in April of 04. 9 years with my last company and a comfortable paycheck and career. No regrets at all!

I did all my tests except for the FOI prior to my start date..I was glad i did it..but you will find that even in the accelerated environment you will have free time. If your like me over prepared just feels better.

Enjoy your new adventure and best of luck.

Mark

[Heath]

[ QUOTE ]
Good Luck, glad to hear your pursuing your dream...one quick question...

Airlines or Cargo?

[/ QUOTE ]

Right now I'm thinking airlines. But, the stability of a FedEx or UPS gig is kind of appealing. I'm just going to get my ratings, build my time, and then apply to everywhere. Beggars can't be choosers!

[Heath]

[ QUOTE ]
I'll be spending spring break at an ATP facility. Until then, I wait.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll see you then!

[Heath]

[ QUOTE ]
Heath,

Congrats! The first step is usually the hardest. I was in the same situation less the wife back in April of 04. 9 years with my last company and a comfortable paycheck and career. No regrets at all!

I did all my tests except for the FOI prior to my start date..I was glad i did it..but you will find that even in the accelerated environment you will have free time. If your like me over prepared just feels better.

Enjoy your new adventure and best of luck.

Mark

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Mark!

Where are you now? Instructing? For ATP?

Yes, I'd rather be over-prepared and ready than to be overwhelmed and behind the eight ball! I'll have the instrument book done tonight and will take those exams tomorrow. I'm then thinking at that pace that I should be able to cram in the CAX over the weekend, then the FIA over the next week with time-building mixed in, leaving only the FOI by my start date. Only thing, I've got to fit in getting the seminole manual down in there, too.

How long does that info take to process?

[NJA_Capt]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm gonna be a pilot when I grow up

[/ QUOTE ]
Ooooops! Sorry......you can't do both.

[SATXaviator]

Heath,

Good job on getting the writtens done...the supplement will take a few days to process..one thing that i did was copy a wav file from the ATP website for Scheduled students and listend to the call outs and Vspeeds while in the car.

I was hired by ATP shortly after completing my 90 day program. I spend about 2 days in the office in FL and then took an opening in Houston. Today i am preparing for training at ExpressJet..hired on the 27th...my next step in my aviation career starts on Monday!!! I am also very STOKED.

[montanapilot]

i m getting my multi in a seminole right now. Although i m not at ATP i was wondering if somebody could send me that wav file. Thanks

[UND_Flyer]

Congratulations Heath!

I'm trying to figure out all the financial stuff right now, so I can hopefully do the interview during spring break and the start with the program in May.

Can anyone tell me when they usually start classes? Is it every 2 weeks? I'm probably going to go to Dallas if everything goes well. Also, would you guys suggest to wear a nice shirt and tie for the interview?

Thanks!

[GaTechKid]

I believe classes start every Monday. Honestly it doesn't really matter what you wear to the interview as long as it's presentable. I wore a polo shirt and jeans.

[Heath]

[ QUOTE ]
Heath,

Good job on getting the writtens done...the supplement will take a few days to process..one thing that i did was copy a wav file from the ATP website for Scheduled students and listend to the call outs and Vspeeds while in the car.

I was hired by ATP shortly after completing my 90 day program. I spend about 2 days in the office in FL and then took an opening in Houston. Today i am preparing for training at ExpressJet..hired on the 27th...my next step in my aviation career starts on Monday!!! I am also very STOKED.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's DAH BOMB, Mark! Congrats. It's really inspiring to hear that you've gone from PPL to ExpressJet in less than a year!!!! You're my idol!

Thanks for all the advice.

Heath

[Heath]

[ QUOTE ]
i m getting my multi in a seminole right now. Although i m not at ATP i was wondering if somebody could send me that wav file. Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

As soon as I get my passcode I'll see what I can do. PM to remind me.

[Heath]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm gonna be a pilot when I grow up

[/ QUOTE ]
Ooooops! Sorry......you can't do both.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, you caught me!

[IndianaPilot]

Heath that is awesome !! I might be right behind you...I was thinking 90 day at ATL also. I just gotta get the interview and time build out of the way. I hear that ATL is the best ATP training center....so I'll shoot for there. Yes i'm dreading the day I have to turn in my resignation at the fire dept. I have a good pension, union, benefits, free health insurance, and a very decent salary. Working for a city is such a secure job. But, I'm ready to throw it away. Thats a hard decision to make...a big step. I mean this is either gonne be the best thing I ever did...or it could sink me for good. Kinda makes me nervous. If I knew for sure that the training would lead to a FO position...I'd have no worries. But.....what we are doing is more of...gambling for just a chance to get that job. But I think we'll be ok if we want it bad enough Lots of luck...maybe see ya there !!

[Heath]

Very cool, maybe I'll see you there.

Let me know if you have questions or I can help in any way.

Clear skies,
Heath

[adreamer]

I might be attend there at ATL in May also.


adreamer