Cross Countries

[AlexanderA-FL-608]

Hey Matt!
One of the big things I am looking forward to in the program is the Nationwide cross countries. I haven't done much flying out of Florida and I am looking forward to seeing some new terrain. Its pretty flat all over down here. Can you tell me what the Cross countries are like in the program. How far do you go and how long are gone for? How long do you typically fly each day? Do you get any time to explore around at any of the places you go? I know that you go with another student...how does that work? Do you alternate each leg or something?
Look forward to hearing from you,
Chris

[ASA Matt]

Chris,

The purpose of the cross-countries is really two fold: First, they allow you to get the cross country time needed to apply for your commercial certificate. Secondly, and equally as important, they give you an idea of what flying for an airline will be like. Remember: ATP trains students to be airline pilots. "Total immersion," remember? The cross-countries are conducted very much like a revenue flight is at the airlines. You'll check the weather, call dispatch for your release, pre-flight the airplane, and complete the flight. While both you and your flight partner are technically the "captain," you alternate legs and run checklists just like you do at the airlines. The cross-countries are without a doubt some of the best training and most fun you'll have throughout the program.

That being said, it's a lot like being on reserve at an airline. You'll call dispatch each morning and see if they've got anything for you. While your cross-countries serve to give you the training and experience mentioned above, they also allow ATP to move hundreds of airplanes across the country on a daily basis. What this means is, it's not like you'll be able to get up every morning and say, "hmmm, I feel like heading up to wine country on the west coast with maybe a stop in Salt Lake on the way." Sometimes you may have a day of shuttling airplanes back and forth from JAX to ATL.

It's really up to you. I wanted to get done as quickly as possible. That meant, whatever flying they had for me, I did. I saw a lot of Florida, that’s for sure. Not to say I wouldn’t have liked to have flown out west a little. I regret not having done that. Dispatch is willing to work with you if you want to "explore the country." Planes have to get out to ATP’s locations in California somehow, right? They'll send you out there if you want.

As far as the rest is concerned, again, it's a lot like an airline. You may work your way out to Phoenix and find yourself there for a few days before they find you a plane to get back. Or you may go to bed, wake up the next day and head back. Inevitably, you'll find yourself with plenty of down-time, trust me. Some days you may fly a few hours, sometimes all day. Again, it's a lot like at an airline. That's the point, right?

Hope all this helps, Chris. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Feel free to ask me anything about myself or my experience too, I'm not afraid to get personal! Good luck!

>Matt