121noob

I'm at the reaslization that it will probably be later next year at least until the regionals are hiring anyone with my quals.

So I've decided to go get my full ATP rating since I have the hours and cash to do so.

Question, should I just do it in a Semiole? Or should I consider coupling it with an A320 type rating?


Obviously the Seminole will be easier, less expensive, and less time consuming. But adding another type rating will make me more attractive and move me higher up on the app scoring, especially an A320 type rating. But I'm concerned that the regionals may not hire me because they would see an A320 type rating and scared I would get picked up by a LCC or Major fairly quickly after passing my 121 checkride since I have an A320 type. In other words would an A320 type rating make me overqualified for the regionals?

desertFlyer2015

a type rating with zero time in type will probably have less of a benefit than you’re thinking it will

JohnBurke

Anywhere that hires you into an A320 will type you in the airplane, . Having the type doesn't do much for you.

A regional won't be concerned that you'll be snapped up thanks to an A320 rating. It's not that impressive, and anyone snapping you up would have typed you anyway, and you'd still have to go through their full program like everyone else. And, of course, you'd still need to learn the A320 the way the operator that hires you, flies it, rather than a generic type program. (It's the reason that new-hires at most operations are told not to study on their own, because they may learn the wrong material or develop negative learning that must be "unlearned" when coming to a given employer).

A type rating in something else like a Hawker or Learjet might open some possibilities for you with a charter or corporate department, but for the most part, having a type rating with no experience in type doesn't do a lot for you. Back in times when Southwest required applicants to show up with a 737 type, several operations existed just to do type ratings for SWA hopefuls...most of whom paid the money for a type that did them no good. It fluffs up the resume a little, by giving a few letters and numbers to list after your ATP, but beyond that, buying a type and having no experience in type won't do a lot for you.

I have a stack of type ratings in dead aircraft that the types will never be used for again, and so far I haven't found anyone who could give a stuff about the types. Just numbers without much value other than perhaps a conversation starter. Not even worth the price of a cup of coffee, and I don't drink coffee.

You've stated several times in the past that the regionals weren't hiring, when they were, and numerous posters who were at those regionals, or who were hiring into those regionals, advised you that your comments were not correct, so you may be a bit out of step with what's actually going on. That said, there are a lot more places to go than just the regionals. Or the airlines, for that matter.

OscarRomeo

Why not do it at your next recurrent? Easier and cheaper than doing it on the side.

121noob

Current employer won't pay for it and I can't get a straight answer out of Flight Safety on how to do it and what they would charge me.

QRH Bingo

In the end, all you need/want is the ATP. Stop worring about how your choice to achieve that goal might affect a potential future interview/job offer. As of now, it is assumed you have zero offers so it is wasted energy to worry about what route might be best. If you are still concerned, what does your counciling service say? We already know that has not gone perfectly.

How you go about it comes down to more about how you prefer to accomplish the task. How long has it been since you've flown GA? If it's been a few years, you're already starting behind the curve as it might take a few flights just to get back into the swing of things.

Doing it in conjunction with the A320 type (such as ATP Jets program) potentially provides a more structered program, no weather delays, likely better maintenance record (yes, sims break but much less than a GA training aircraft), climate controlled, ability to pause/reset during training, etc. During emergency ops, you have a second pilot to either fly the plane or run the checklists.

Doing it in a seminole would likely be cheaper but without the benefits mentioned above. You are at the mercy of the weather or the previous student slamming in the plane sending it to maintenance when your flight is scheduled next. More difficult to pause & reset a seminole in flight and the AC is likely not installed. You will be the pilot flying as well as the one running checklists during emergency ops.

If you got the cash, look more to which style of training you feel more comfortable with and which you believe would be more successful.

captjns

Simple... take the cheapest route. You have to pay for the. ATP-CTP course. Then you acquire either an Initial ATP Certificate, or an ATP Certificate with an added Type rating. Research the ATP-CTP vendors for a total cost for the course and initial type rating. Research the chepest vendor for the ATP-CTP course, and a flight school offering an initial ATP Certificate in, say a Seminole, Seneca, or other multi engine aircraft. Bottom line... and added type rating with zero time in type let along very low multi time is not going to make or break getting a job with a 135 or 121 operator.

rickair7777

Generally, I'd say lowest cost in terms of time and money. Bear in mind that there will be significant study time for a complex transport time, and you typically have to do a lot of that before you show up for a type course (unless it's a spoon-feed course of soem sort, and that will cost more).

If you don't have any turbine/jet experience, the 320 type might enhance your resume just a bit. But then it's also going to be that much more challenging to learn. You don't want to bust your ATP ride at this level.