A day (or 90) in the life at ATP

[YodelinPig]

Hi -

Can you guys shed some light as to how your days, weeks and months were scheduled at ATP? Is it 7 days a week? 5? Eight hours a day? Weekends?

I live about an hour and a half away from the closest fast-track ATP (Riverside) and was wondering if it's worth the commute to sleep in my own bed at night or take them up on the dorm offer.

Also, does ATP make an effort to place you as a CFI (assuming that you're qualified, etc) at a location close to home? Or is it a crapshoot where you might end up?

Thanks!!

[junior]

To add to the question:
Do you get any days off? I love golf and being in JAX for the summer I'm going to be itching to hit the course.

[BushPilot]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi -

Also, does ATP make an effort to place you as a CFI (assuming that you're qualified, etc) at a location close to home? Or is it a crapshoot where you might end up?

Thanks!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't start attending until August, so I can't give you any info on the length of days, although I do know you get a day off here and there. As far as being a CFI for them, from what I understand, consider your attendance in the program as a 90 day job interview. If you get hired, you would go down to JAX to answer phones, orientation, etc.

If you want to hold out for a specific location, i.e. Riverside, you will probably spend more time in JAX before a spot opens up. If you left all your options open to any location, I've heard they are leaving after several weeks. Hope that helps.

[RPM]

Anyone know what the pay is for answering phones in JAX? I think it was posted a while back but I can't remember.

[GaTechKid]

I was told at my interview that you receive the standard instructor pay, either $1000 or $800 w/ apartment, while you are working the office down in JAX.

[RPM]

thanks- I thought it was less pay for answering phones

[pscraig]

Working in the office the base pay is the same, but overall it is less, in a way. Once you are assigned to an office as an instructor, you are eligible for bonuses for first-time checkride passes. This can add up quickly.

[Tram]

Hmm.. A day in the life of a 90 dayer..

Hmm.. I'll just describe this week..

Monday.. Got at the airport @ 8.. Simmed a little bit Maybe 2 hours.. then Travis went flying.. I was home around 1.. Travis was home around 11pm.. Long flight

Tuesday.. Got to the airport @ 8.. Travis and I spent about 2.5 hours in the sim.. Citation showed up.. Got back in the sime for a few more hours.. Felt like 5 hours a piece... the sim.. Not sure exactly what time we got home...

Wednesday.. Got to the airport at 7:30, Travis stayed home.. I flew to Waco and was back by 10:30.. Done for the day.. Came home, Travis went to the airport and burned some Cessna time..

Tomorrow - Travis is doing the Waco ride.. and I am doing my 350nm XC..

As far as our schedules.. Travis has a family an hour away.. Pete (our instructor) has a family 3 hours away.. So come Friday afternoons, we are done at noon and meet back around 12 on Sunday's.. We get Saturday's off.. Your schedule is pretty much between you and your instructor, as long as you get your stuff done.. Some days I'm home at 10am.. Some days it's 6pm.. Just depeneds on what's going on... It's basically a day to day deal..

[BushPilot]

Thanks for the update Tram, sounds like a lot of fun.
Before I know it, I'll be out in PHX enjoying the same thing. If you can, let us know how the checkrides went, and if there'/s anything out of the ordinary you need to know. Keep up the good work.