[SkyWest Todd]

Hey Mike,

Keep the questions coming, that's why this forum exists. I wish I would have had a pilot coach when I was trying to make some decisions. I'm glad to help.

Will you need to finance all or part of the training? I cashed in a portion of my retirement and used Sallie Mae for a portion of my training. They may allow you to defer your payments for 18 months, by then you will have a flying job.

When my payments came due, I paid it off with a home equity line of credit for the tax break. If you do use retirement money, consult an accountant and see if there is any way you can use the cost of training to offset the tax penalty associated with withdrawing the retirement money. Some banks offer some loans that may be used for education etc. I didn't research the banks much, Sallie Mae was quick and easy and I knew I would be converting it when the payments were due.

If you were to get your PVT at home, you may be able to spend a little more time with the family prior to going to ATP. You will be able to get your PVT and 85 hrs in ATP's program in 2 months. It also gives you a great understanding and experience of the IFR environment. You will probably get your PVT in 40-60 hours. Then you will go on x-country IFR flights with a flight instructor to get your hour up to 85 prior to the Career Pilot Program. That IFR experience is really good for the students.

If you choose to do it at home, it would allow a little more time with the family but I would suggest you meet and fly with your instructor at least 3-4 times per week. 3-4 times per week becomes cheaper for you because you won't have to re-learn things. It's much more efficient than once per week. Then you have to weigh out the cost and effect of working, training 3-4 times per week and finding time to spend with the family. It will run your time pretty thin. Getting your PVT at home or at ATP is yet another one of those hard decisions. It will be faster and more efficient at ATP simply because that is all you will be doing, 7 days per week and sometimes flying twice per day.

I did instruct at ATP. I already had my PVT when I started thinking about making the career change. I did the Career Pilot Program in PHX in 92 days, not a penney over budget. I took about a month off and was hired as an instructor for ATP and did that for 6 months. I was then hired by an airline where I worked for 6 months prior to getting hired on by Sky West. I wouldn't trade my CFI time for anything. That was a great experience! I'll always keep my CFI ratings current.

I don't know Wes Mattews but the name sounds familiar.

I know this is getting a little long but some of these decisions are a little different for guys like you and me, as compared to someone fresh out of college etc.

I don't know of any current discount programs at ATP but you may want to call 1800 ALL-ATPS and speak to one of the financial advisors. Have you talked to any of them yet?

Keep the dream alive. These decisions don't always come fast but they become solid as time goes on.

Todd