<dons world weary expression of resigned despair>
WHY oh why do you suppose that having trained at OATS you will have an advantage in the job market?
Thats just plain wrong my friend. Though I doff my cap to the marketing department at OATS for the great work they have done over the years.
Nobody on the interview panel gives a stuff if you trained at Kiddlington, Bournemouth, Cranfield, Jerez, Leeds or Compton bleedin Abbas! Its not their place to have a clue as to whether or not school A is better than school B. They just trust that the CAA inspects and approves schools and that subsequently they are happy to issue you with a little blue licence.
There are many reasons why OATS have high prices. Not least amongst them the very high operating cost of Kiddlington and employing a staff from the Oxfordshire area. Not a cheap place to live.
They certainly don't pay their instructors more than other large FTO's. Its easier if anything to get hired to instruct at OATS than at other large FTO's. The aircraft are a rag-bag mix of conditions and fits as well.
Is it - perhaps - the fact that BA sends its cadets there that imbues the place with a certain kudos?
Hmm?
Well remember that BA have sent their cadets in the last decade to West Michigan, CABAIR and BAe Prestwick. Not just OATS. And that contract was won by the lowest bidder.
Oh and bear in mind that when BA cadets finish their flying training they are currently being sent over to BAE Jerez for Jet Orientation Courses.
It should be apparent then that BA pick and mix training providers on a regular basis so please, there is NO kudos to OATS training. Those ex-OATS students who persist in thinking that there is are viewed with a mixture of pity and derision by the rest of the flying training community.
And now for the balance.
OATS have a long and well established business and provide good training to the industry norm.
Safe flying,
WWW