I am an international students which is trained in ATP Daytona Beach, Florida. I finished the training from 0 time 250 hrs CPL IR ME in 180 days. My experience is good. ATP is relatively professional compare to other school because the are actually a factory, they wanna train you in the shortest available time and get you ready for the regional airline, many people see this as a problem and regard it as bad. However, I see it no problem at all.
Pros:
-Fixed price if you are not behind the schedule and required extra training. It is fair in terms of the price, no super small fonts or invisible ink are used in their contracts.
-Good maintenance of their training fleet, I encountered flight cancel due to
technical problem only once of all 250 hrs.
-Because time is short, so it give pressure on their students to study hard and you seldom see holiday mood instructor or students, those in holiday mood will be out of the program long ago.
Cons:
- Very tough program, this program is not for anyone, a lot of guys dropped out of the program because they are not well prepared and cannot keep out with the pace of the training schedule. That is also one of the reason you see a lot of complaints with ATP flight school.
- Don't expect to be spoon fed. I suggest you read the whole FAA PHAK (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge) and Instrument Flying Handook and Airplane Flying Handbook at least once before joining the program. If you do what I just said you will have a happier experience during the training.
- Everyday is flying day. If you can fly you go fly so that means there is no weekend.