Intro

[RossC-IA-609]

Melvin-
Hey! How are you? So I have been looking over some of you threads and what not so i thought I would introduce myself. My name is Ross Clapham. I have one more course this fall before i graduate with a BA in Business Administration and German Studies(not related, two dif. majors) from a private college in Iowa. I have tossed the military idea around for quite some time, but my family is not fond of it. In fact they practically disowned me and are trying to play this choosing game with me...us or the military. I have ALWAYS wanted to be a pilot so i figured I could start looking for civilian flight schools and everything pointed to ATP.
How do you like the life of a pilot? That seems to be everyone's main concern when it comes to being a pilot and family. I dont' have to be home every night but at the same time i don't want to be gone for 4 days at a time. Well, when i think about it...i don't have any family(wife or gf) that would be upset with me for being gone anyways, so i would take what i could get.
I currently have no flight time, but want to get started on my PL hopefully this fall.

Do you know much about corporate aviation?(comparing and contrasting corp vs. airline) What are your career plans as you work through the ranks?

I look forward to hearing from you!

[American Eagle Melvin]

Hey Ross,

I'm good. Just relaxing on a day off. How are you? Thanks for the Introduction. One more course to go huh? You can just taste the degree already. Early Congrats on that! I have had several overnights in Cedar Rapids when I was based in Dallas. Last time I was there it was way, WAY to cold for me. But I am sure you are used to it.

In high school I tossed around the idea of the military and was talked out of it not only by my parents, but other relatives, friends, teachers, strangers. Not because the military was a bad thing, but because they all wanted me to go straight to college and continue playing football. In the end I am glad that I did not go to the military. I think the military is meant for some people but looking back, it was not meant for me. Plus I would have wanted to go into the military to fly, and if for some reason I was unable to fly, I did not want to be stuck for 4 or however many years doing something I had no interest in. What is it that makes your parents not too fond of the military?

I really like the pilot life. It is fun. This industry has its ups and downs. I live in LA and am based in NY so I have to commute all the way across the US to get to work. Commuting is tiring at times, but at the same time I am glad that airlines allow pilots to commute so that I don't have to move every time I change bases. But I get to see some great cities, fly with cool people, coast around in a nice plane, and get paid to do what I Love to do. Being a pilot will require you to be away from home for a number of days in a row. Currently my schedule has me away from home 4 days in a row then off for 3 days. Not too bad. But as you build seniority, you can get schedules that have more days off in a month and maybe even trips that end in your city every day so you are home every night.

I have a few friends that fly corporate and Corporate Dan is also a Career coach on this forum so if you have any specific questions that I am not able to answer, I can forward the question to them.

As of right now, I do not have any plans for the future yet. As a pilot, when you move up the ranks, you have to start at the bottom again. So as a regional airline First Officer, you can move up in seniority and be a senior first officer who gets the schedules you want, the days off you want, the type of trips you want. Then you move up to Captain and you are at the bottom of the captain list and get whatever schedules are left over, you may end up back on reserve, and you may end up commuting again. Then you move up in seniority as a Captain and then decide to change airlines to fly bigger planes. Well guess what, you start back at the bottom again. So as of right now, I wouldn't mind moving up to Captain and maybe moving on to a Major Airline. But when that time finally comes, it may be more about quality of life for me. I may have a big family at home and may want to just stay at American Eagle and be a senior Captain in LA. Make sense? But we shall see when that time comes.

So Ross, Welcome to the Forums. Ask as many questions as you'd like. I will talk at you later. Have a good one.

[RossC-IA-609]

Hey Mel-
Thanks for the response! Glad you were enjoying a little time off from flying. Yea I know that degree is soo close! ha And yes CR in the dead of winter isn't a very warm place, but you have to have a cold season to make summer so much more enjoyable!!

It's really frustrating talking to my parents about the military because I have done so much research and know the processes inside and out...where as my parents have just heard horror stories from family friends that had kids who "enlisted" out of high school or something. They have no clue about the differences between military officers and enlisted personnel and they won't even give me a chance to explain it. Being VERY stubborn is the gist of it. I wasn't dead set on military but I think their attitude towards the situation and lack of faith in me made me want to rebel in a way. In the end...I want to be happy, have a family and live life...not saying I couldn't do this in the military, but it would be a very different experience for me.

Anyways, after that all blew up with my parents I began searching for civilian schools and everything pointed here! I'm just curious about the financial part of it. I shouldn't having a problem getting accepted for a loan, the only part i'm worried about is if my loan payments for school start while i'm training with ATP(if i went that route). Know what I mean?

Another question is if it's possible to have some what of a decision on where you are going to live...or do you just take the job and run with it and where-ever it takes you. I wouldn't mind staying in the midwest (chi, minneapolis, detroit, etc) but if i couldn't...i really don't think i would have a problem with it!

Well take it easy and hope to hear from you!

[American Eagle Melvin]

Ross,

When I trained at ATP I did not have to make any payments on my ATP loan for 18 months. I was paying on my college loans up to the point that I started the 90-day program. Once I started that, I sent in a Letter of Hardship to my lender stating that I needed to defer my loan payments because I was not working and was unable to make my loan payments. So I had my college loan payments deferred for a year. That worked out good. So that is something you may want to consider doing.

Airlines let you live wherever you want. If you don't live in driving distance to the airport that you work out of, then you will have to catch a flight to that airport on an airline that flies there. When I was first hired I lived in LA and was based at LAX. I just drove to work. Others lived in Vegas and flew Southwest Airlines to get to LA. Some lived in Phoenix and flew US Airways to get to work. Now I still live in LA but work in NY. Out of LAX in can use American, Delta, United, Virgin, and Jet Blue to catch a ride to work.

So once its time for you to apply for an airline job you will have to do your research. Find out what airlines have bases in the midwest if you want to stay in that area. Find out what airlines you can use to get you to your base if your commute will involve a flight to work. Or if you are as free as the wind you can consider moving to the city you are based in. There are plenty of regional airlines that have bases in the midwest. Its all about researching and figuring which one works best for you.

Does this help answer your questions?

[RossC-IA-609]

Melvin-
Hey! how are you doing? I'm guessing busy! ha. I did some checking on my school loans and you are absolutely correct. I can send a letter of Economic hardship and have my loans deferred for UP TO 3 years. That is definately good news to hear. All of this talk makes me so anxious to fly though, it's ridiculous!!

If i were to receive my PPL with say 50 hours, would I have to continue to fly on my own to accrue the 85 tt hrs and 25 cross county required to enroll into the 90 fast track...or could I go to my ATP school of choice and finish it up there and then start the fast track immediately afterwards?

Another location question for you! I see American Eagle has a base in ORD...If someone were to interview with AE, would they get a preference as to where they wanted to be based or will American Eagle just assign you where ever? I think it's pretty cool how they will let you live wherever you want. Something I def. didn't know.

Wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer all of my questions. It is so incredibly helpful to be able to fire questions at and airline pilot...and have them actually respond! Also just being able to read your experiences, look at pay charts, every little thing helps.

Thanks Again!

[American Eagle Melvin]

Ross,

What's going on? I'm doing good myself. Just finished a 4 day trip in LA yesterday. Day off today. Start another 4 day trip in LA tomorrow. Have a full day of errands today....

Hey I am glad to be able to help you out and answer questions. This forum is great. I used this forum to get all of my questions answered before I started ATP and also while I was a student at ATP. Great resource.

If you got your PPL through ATP, it includes the 85 hours and 25 hours cross country Pilot in Command (PIC) time. If you did your PPL on your own and got it in 50 hours, then you will still need 35 more hours which will include 25 hours cross country. Meeting these flight times is necessary for other ratings you will get later on in the program. And if you do not meet these requirements, you can contact ATP so that a time building program can be set up for you. This is straight from the ATP website:

About the Flight Time Requirements
"Many students have a Private Pilot Certificate, but less than 85 hours total time and 25 hours cross-country PIC time. ATP may be able to provide a customized time-building program for you to attain these minimum requirements in GPS-equipped Cessna 172s at deeply discounted rates as an Airline Career Pilot Program student."

So to answer your question, if you did get your PPL on your own then YES you can build the time through ATP and then go straight into the fast track program.

Before I interviewed with Eagle, the big selling point was that you were able to choose where you wanted to be based. I live in LA, they have an LAX base, I'm going with Eagle.... When we got in our new hire class, we all knew what bases we were going to, but we did not know what plane we were going to fly. The people that chose BOS, LGA, and ORD for sure were getting to fly the jet because they only fly jets out of those bases. The people that chose DFW were either going to get train on the ERJ or the Saab. There were no CRJ openings for our new hire class. So for the DFW folks, they started with the oldest person in that group and asked them what they wanted...ERJ or Saab. Then they went all the way down the line until all the jet spots were given away. Ended up that the two youngest in the DFW group got the Saab. I chose LA and all of us got the Saab because there were no ERJ openings at the time. Everyone that chose MIA or SJU for their base got to train in the ATR because that is the only plane they fly out of those bases. When Eagle starts hiring again, as long as there is a need for people in all of the bases, then I am sure they will allow you to chose your base in the interview.

And that is great that you will have the option to defer your loans for up to 3 years. Incredible. I deferred mine for a year...but 3 years would have been perfect...!!! But just remember that while it is deferred, interest is still building up over that time and in the end you may end up paying a little more than planned.

That's all I've got for you right now. Hope all is well. Looking forward to more of your questions. Catch ya later Ross.

[RossC-IA-609]

Hey, whats up, Mel?? I trust you had a nice 4th of July weekend. I think I saw that you were going to be flying into LAX just in time, correct? My weekend started off nice, but it didn't last long. I sprained my knee quite badly playing basketball on Friday night.

What do you think about the citation jet transition right after the program is completed. I think i saw that it gives you high alt endorsements, high performance endorse., jet systems & CRM as well as some other qualifications. What do you think about this?

I have been reading a lot about the Gulfstream internship and I have seen your feelings on it, but still wondering if it would be the best option for me. As of now i would like to tell myself that I would work extremely hard and hope to be hired by ATP as a instructor for awhile before interviewing with some airlines. Your thoughts..??

This may be a stupid question, but here it goes: If you play guitar..is there room for that type of luggage if you are a FO or CAPT? Would be perfect for the overnights in a hotel or crashpad!

The fast track is 90 days and costs around $45,000...would you recommend to take MORE out on your loan before you start to cover miscellaneous costs such as check rides, examiners fees, ect

Well I think that about wraps up my questions for now! Hope you're enjoying your office view...from about 30,000 up!! Take it easy, Mel!

[American Eagle Melvin]

Hey Ross,

No question is ever a stupid question here. There may be someone with the same question as you who is afraid to ask so whatever is on your mind, always feel free to ask without hesitation....

I finished flying in LA on the 4th around 2:30pm...had a few flights cancel so I got to go home a lil early. Well I was home until about 8:00pm, then I had to go back to the airport and catch a 9:15pm flight to JFK because I had to work in NY the next morning on the 5th. So I caught most of the fireworks as I sat on the plane looking out the window. All good though. I was able to eat some good food in-between finishing flying in LA, going home, and then flying to NY.

I personally did the Citation Jet ride in-between my Cross Country trips and my Commercial Checkride. It was originally incorporated in the Airline Career Pilot Program. But since then the program has been restructured. For you, after you finish the program you will have several options. You may go right into instructing, you may be in a position to interview with the airlines and want to take the Regional Jet Standards Certification, you may already have another job lined up. So it is hard for me to tell you to take the Jet Ride after the program. It really all depends on what is going on when you are done and whether or not you feel you want or need to take it.

The Gulfstream program is new and I personally think it is a good option. At the same time it may not be meant for everyone. Will you be fine with relocating to Florida to complete the training and internship? Housing is not provided so will you have the extra money to pay for housing? Just a couple things to think about. And like you said, you will work hard in the program and try to land a CFI job with ATP, but the internship is right after the Airline Career Pilot Program so would you rather instruct or go with Gulfstream? Or go with Gulfstream and then come back and try to instruct? Several options that are possible and ultimately it is up to you to decide what you think might be best for you financially and as far as convenience.

I have seen several pilots that bring along guitars. Where you put it when you travel all depends on the type of plane you fly. There may be room in the cockpit, possibly behind your seat. In the ERJ we have a closet at the front of the plane where we put our bags and it could easily fit in there without getting damaged. You may be able to give it to the flight attendant and have he/she put it in an empty overhead bin after all the passengers have boarded. There was one guy in LA that had it with him while he was sitting reserve at the airport in the crew room. He was teaching himself how to play, which I thought was pretty cool. All you have to keep in mind is that you may be in areas, like a hotel with thin walls, where playing a guitar might make noise that is not suitable for the environment that you are in, but there is no problem with bringing it along.

As far as taking out extra money, that is what I did. I paid around $55,000 for my training at ATP, but my loan was for $60,000. Took out $5000 extra to help cover other expenses so that I did not have to deplete my savings account. So taking out extra worked out perfect for me. If you do not have that extra money laying around and need some extra money to help cover miscellaneous expenses, then you can look into applying for more funds on your loan.

Hope I was able to answer your questions Ross. If there is something that I missed or something you need clarification on, just let me know. Take care.

[RossC-IA-609]

Hey Mel, whats good? Just rounding out another 8 hour day here at the office. So, I was snooping around on other forums and this question came up: "What are the requirements for being accepted?" Well, in the Pilot career coaches response he mentioned having held a job or worked for two years. Sure i've worked tons summer jobs and things like that but college has comsumed most of my last 4 years...does this mean i have to hold down a J-O-B for another two years straight to be accepted??????????? That would be terrible when all you want to do is fly! Hope you can clear this up for me! Thanks and take it easy!

[American Eagle Melvin]

Hey Ross,

I just responded to a post a day or so ago and made a similar response about 2 years work experience. By you having held "a" job and having school experience has you more than qualified. It is not 2 years work experience in the last 2 years so don't worry about that. Those requirements are basically to let ATP know that you serious . You'd be surprised at how many people enter the program and are more about partying and slacking off than about being serious about flying. Next thing you know they fail every checkride the first time around, or show up late consistantly. Its basically a way to weed out that trouble if that makes sense. So don't worry...you're in good shape.

What else is new?