Thanks NZLeardriver. I should have mentioned that my ICAO licence is not FAA. Your understanding of the TSA position is the same as mine, regardless of whether the prior licence is FAA, but not, apparently, that of the two schools mentioned. That does lead me to question whether my fairly detailed research on the net has come up with the right answer.
I am not sure that AllATPs are expecting me to read between the lines..... Their website states that a requirement for their ATP 'course' is a
valid, unexpired United States passport . Through a weblink they state:
Non-U.S. Citizens must contact ATP to begin the TSA-required background check process prior to training. Please call ATP at 800-ALL-ATPS (800-255-2877) or +1 904-273-3018. Unfortunately, calling the second, international number, produced someone who was able to tell me that 'many' foreign students come to the USA to do the ATP 'course' but was only able to direct me to the TSA website. On pressing, and the 'scheduler' going to check, it was 'suggested' that AllATPs only do category 1 and 3 training, ie a TAS check IS required. He had very, very limited knowledge on the whole thing. I believe I knew more than he did. As AllATPs state that, on that number,
All schedulers are qualified CFI/II/MEIs, I am surprised ... I thought the TSA requires security training?
As far as AllATPs is concerned, then, their 'ATP' course is flight training. I find it surprising that they then expect people to visit them on a visa waiver. The potential problems make it a complete non starter. As far as I am aware the ONLY way to get an M-1 visa is to get an I-20 from the school. As AllATPs don't issue these, perhaps there ARE people who go through the whole TSA process and then pitch up at immigration saying they are there on holiday!
There must a Ppruner out there who has gone out to do their ATP written, light twin refamiliarisation and ATP check ride with AllATPs, or anyone else for that matter, who has been through this, been as confused as me, and now knows the ins and outs. And I am guessing that different people have done it in different ways.
Actual experiences, preferable recent, particularly since the TSA clarified the meaning of 'flight training' earlier this year, would be very welcome.
Help! And thanks!
PS I have to say I really not interested in trying to go in on a visa waiver UNLESS I can get something DEFINITIVE on it being a valid route .... the results of failing at immigration or, worse, later on in the USA, are too grizzly from a career point of view to contemplate. Add to that, the several stamps in Arabic in my passport from countries the USA is none too friendly with, coupled with the words 'aircrew' on several visas, is likely to get the mildest immigration official going...
