ATP Flight School? Has it gotten any better?
Posted by XXFRKXX@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments
I’ll try to keep this short, but I’ve seen some of the older threads in here regarding ATP from 2 years ago, 5 years ago, etc… From what I’ve read, the program is not very great, and is over priced.
The things that are most enticing to me about them is that they’re claiming I’d be ready to go with all licensing/ratings within 12 months on the accelerated program. Additionally, they state that they are associated with or have direct pathways to various Cadet programs for commercial airlines (Delta, United, etc) - and they have also mentioned tuition or cost reimbursement which is offered by certain airlines.
ATP is a lot more expensive compared to a couple of other independent academies I’ve spoken to ($60-80k range all in at independent compared to \~$120k at ATP) - I’d be willing to pay double the price for ATP if it means that I’d have a quicker and better pathway or better chance into actually flying full time and earning a living, but again, from what I’ve read, it seems like they are essentially over-promising on results in this regard. Other academies would take about 2 years compared to ATP’s 12 months. So if I can spend that 2nd year with a legitimate job, then the extra cost would be worth it to me. But only if what they’re claiming is realistic.
Ultimately, I’m wondering if ATP school is worth the cost and if they have gotten any better in recent years? I’m also hoping that someone in here might have experience with the Palomar/Carlsbad CA location specifically, as that is closest to me and where I’d be flying.
Thanks in advance
MehCFI@reddit
ATP is still horrendous. You can go just as fast for half the cost at a good part 61 local mom n pop school. ATP is still under multiple lawsuits, fires their CFIs at 1500 hours, wastes students money, and has arguably worse training. The stigma is still accurate, avoid avoid avoid
No_Excitement455@reddit
What is the total cost for ATP to get necessary certs to fly with a regional E175 ?
phlflyguy@reddit
There is no number for that because ATP doesn't get you the certs that would qualify you for a regional airline. They get you to commercial/multi/CFII if you go through all the training with them. Those certs will put you at around 250 hours. If they don't hire you as a CFI to grind out the remaining 1250 hours, you're on your own finding a paid flying job.
MehCFI@reddit
Hell even the ‘remaining 1250 hours’ is misleading. Chances are you’ll be instructing to closer to 2000, and even then ATP fires CFIs when they get to 1500 hours
No_Excitement455@reddit
Why fire if they have more experience as a CFI ?
MehCFI@reddit
Great question! It’s so they can say all their CFIs move on ‘at minimums’ and replace them with 250 hour brand new CFIs. Reduces longevity of employees so they don’t unionize or demand raises or better working conditions etc etc
ltcterry@reddit
That’s pretty much a hypothetical question. They don’t do that. ATP, or anywhere else, gets you to “Commercial/250.” You still need to get to Airline Transport Pilot (also ATP)/1,500” to be a regional E175 pilot. And that’s not their business model.
Your husband will be trained at ATP by someone today who a year ago was a zero-time gonna be. AKA no real world experience. Been to many all of five different airports.
A guy I trained for instructor locally just got a King Air job with 500 hours because his experience is flights to destinations 500 miles away. Instrument flying. Dozens of different airports. (SIC, Part 91, only logged when he’s flying, etc. But well paid.)
XXFRKXX@reddit (OP)
I appreciate it
ltcterry@reddit
ATP takes more than 12 months for most people.
There are so many frequent I-had-a-bad-ATP-experience posts that you only need to go back in intervals of a few weeks to find them. The FAQ topic is updated often.
The $80k place can give you better training for far less money at the same pace anywhere else. They are just more honest in advertising.
Don’t go to a place that will give you a cookie cutter resume and your reputation will carry the stench of having been there. Good chance your resume goes straight in the trash.
Not saying every graduate - if you’ll excuse the misuse of the word - is a bad pilot. One of the best instructors I know went there after he spent four years growing up in the Navy.
KosmolineLicker@reddit
As someone who went to ATP, that last part I can say is very true. I don't include it in my resume where I trained, I just say part 61. Technically true, but I'm honest with every employer if they pry. Usual reaction is something along the lines of "ew"
Thankfully I git the opportunity to work at a mom & pop and earn my reputation as an instructor instead of lugging it.
Finally moved on and can pu that crap behind me.
cptnpiccard@reddit
Every single person I have ever met that went to ATP regrets it. Literally no exceptions. And I worked the line at a major FBO, so I met a lot of pilots.
AGroAllDay@reddit
This probably fits more under the Moronic Monday thread. All those people wrote their reviews for a reason
XXFRKXX@reddit (OP)
Lol thanks for the valuable input. Like I mentioned, they were from 2 years ago, which is the entire basis of me asking if things have changed
AGroAllDay@reddit
Did you look at the google reviews?
Accurate-Indication8@reddit
Join Plus One Flyers, find a good club CFI and fly your balls off. You'll have more fun, you'll probably become a much better pilot and it'll cost you far less than ATP.
Shuttle_Tydirium1319@reddit
The amount of ATP graduates that apply at my school for CFI (and 99% get turned away, we actually prioritize hiring from within) is staggering.
Our student average is about 100k through MEI, which isn’t the cheapest but also not close to them. We also have enticing airline partnerships, I can actually call their recruiters and have them show up to hire our CFIs.
Not saying that to get you to come to my school, more as a representation of there’s plenty of other choices out there that can do all, most, or more than ATP for less cost.
RaiseTheDed@reddit
I made a post about ATP, please read it here: https://raisetheded.blogspot.com/2026/04/on-topic-of-atp-flight-school.html
There are recent writeups in it
poisonandtheremedy@reddit
San Diego is one of the top aviation training areas in the country, plenty of better options all around.
imme267@reddit
As a current ATP student:
Pros:
-DPE availability and gouge availability, its the same rotation of 4-5 DPEs, and its super easy to find out what each DPE's specific things they like to ask in the oral or do in the flight. You can always find another student who recently had that DPE, in addition ATP asks students to do a write up on their checkride and they compile that into its own webpage with tons of details on that DPE.
-Plane availability
-Instructor availability, I personally like the ability to fly with multiple instructors and the lead, and learn different things from different people and compile that into my own toolbox and use what I like from each different person
-Syllabus and training supplement. ATP has very specific ways they want you to do landings, maneuvers and other procedural tasks. This is based on years of refining and their method really does work if you put in the time chair flying and in the sim. Everything is laid out from day 1 and you know what you will be doing week by week
-Cadet programs, ATP is on the top tier or elite list of schools for many cadet programs. This year has seen a lot of cadet programs either closing or uping their standards so this is definitely a plus. Obviously there's a lot of back and forth on here regarding cadet programs so take it as you will. There are frequent visits from airlines and cadet programs each month which is great for networking
Cons:
-Pace, it's a very fast paced program and ATP expects you to meet their deadlines or be put on flight holds or required to be at the training center 8hrs x 5 days a week until you are caught up. This has not affected me as I am capable of self studying (85-90% of the learning will be done by self study) but I have seen lots of students failing evals and falling behind because they are not studying enough on their own
-Loan, don't need to say a ton about this, but even at a mom and pop you are still looking at probably 60-80k through CFII over a period of 3-4 years vs ATP 120k over 12 months. At the end of an airline career as a topped out captain, an extra 3 years of income is $1 million+ in salary and 401k.
-Not guaranteed a job as CFI after finishing
Overall, ATP has served me extremely well with no failed checkrides or evals so far (PPL, IFR, COM). I have a bachelor's degree and know how to study on my own. A lot of the 18-21 year olds do not have this skill and I frequently see them fall behind and fail and get charged extra for repeating flights and rechecks. Those are the people you see here complaining, not the ones who are passing all their checkrides and finishing the program on time or early (I will be finishing the program in 9 months on the planned 12).
XXFRKXX@reddit (OP)
Thanks for all the info and informative response. Much appreciated
Guysmiley777@reddit
Ready to go where? You still need 1500 hours to even apply at a regional airline and there's zero guarantee they'll hire you as a CFI. If they hired every student who made it to CFI it'd violate the pyramid shaped model that is flight training.
That is also marketing smoke and mirrors. Try and get guarantees in writing of those vague promises made in their advertising, see how far you get.
XXFRKXX@reddit (OP)
They mention “formal agreements” with the airlines online, but are you saying I should ask for them to produce a copy of the actual agreements? I’ll try that out
The basic info can be seen here - https://atpflightschool.com/airlines/
MehCFI@reddit
Those agreements mean nothing, the actual agreements owe you nothing when push comes to shove. Do not pick a school based on cadet/airline programs
XXFRKXX@reddit (OP)
Thanks
Guysmiley777@reddit
I'm saying it's all marketing BS and you won't get any kind of inside track to being hired by an airline because of ATP.
XXFRKXX@reddit (OP)
Thanks
Perfect_Big_5907@reddit
well i got my ATP from ATP but that is my only experience with them.
anonymous4071@reddit
They can claim whatever they want. It’s doesn’t make it true or likely.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I’ll try to keep this short, but I’ve seen some of the older threads in here regarding ATP from 2 years ago, 5 years ago, etc… From what I’ve read, the program is not very great, and is over priced.
The things that are most enticing to me about them is that they’re claiming I’d be ready to go with all licensing/ratings within 12 months on the accelerated program. Additionally, they state that they are associated with or have direct pathways to various Cadet programs for commercial airlines (Delta, United, etc) - and they have also mentioned tuition or cost reimbursement which is offered by certain airlines.
ATP is a lot more expensive compared to a couple of other independent academies I’ve spoken to ($60-80k range all in at independent compared to \~$120k at ATP) - I’d be willing to pay double the price for ATP if it means that I’d have a quicker and better pathway or better chance into actually flying full time and earning a living, but again, from what I’ve read, it seems like they are essentially over-promising on results in this regard. Other academies would take about 2 years compared to ATP’s 12 months. So if I can spend that 2nd year with a legitimate job, then the extra cost would be worth it to me. But only if what they’re claiming is realistic.
Ultimately, I’m wondering if ATP school is worth the cost and if they have gotten any better in recent years? I’m also hoping that someone in here might have experience with the Palomar/Carlsbad CA location specifically, as that is closest to me and where I’d be flying.
Thanks in advance
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