If you're going the route A4s is talking about (type rating with ATP) I would suggest Higher Power Aviation in Dallas or KS Aviation in Phoenix. I did my 727 type (Oct 2005) at the first and my 737 type (Feb 2002) at the second. (However K&S has changed owners since I went there so my recommendation may be dated.) I used GI Bill at both.
As far as I know, Southwest is the only major airline that requires the type rating prior to employment. There are some "niche" airlines that require types too, such are Casino Express. None of the regional airlines require types.
To use your GI Bill for flight training, the training center must be either FAR part 141 or 142 and approved by the VA. GI Bill will pay 60% of the approved charges. At Higher Power, that equates to a straight 60% of the bill. K&S used to do creative stuff like including your hotel room in the price so it was not a straight 60% of the bill.
The ATP ride is the same thing as a type rating ride. So it's a 2fer. You will have to have the ATP written test completed before attending. Plan on either place taking 2 weeks. After you get your GI Bill reimbursement (1 to 2 months after finishing - you pay up front), it will cost you about $3000 to $3500 best guess. All flight training is done in a simulator and uses airline procedures.
Another way many military pilots go about getting their ATP is through Airline Transport Professionals . They are NOT GI Bill but have the advantage of being a 3 day course that includes the written for about $2000. The course is in a Piper Seminole (twin piston) with no ground school. It's all single piloted and they have longer courses (for more $) for those who may not have flown lately or who have never flown a light civil twin. I did my ATP at ATPs Phoenix in May 1999.
If I was you, I'd probably bite the bullet, pay the extra $ and go the 737 type rating route. Southwest actually sends People Department pilot hiring reps to Higher Power for a briefing during each course. The two companies are very tight and most HPA trainees end up getting a SWA interview. Plus, SWA is one of the few that will interview & hire you prior to your release from active duty. You will save money in the long run this way if SWA is your goal. However, be warned that currently SWA is only hiring about 35% of those that interview. The good news is that they are hring a lot for the next few years (500+ per year).
If you have no desire to go to SWA, just get the ATP at ATPs as it is the cheapest and easiest option.
A note of caution - in most cases, type ratings are usually worthless without time in the aircraft (I know this from experience). They may be a tie breaker between 2 applicants but that is about it. SWA is the major airline exception. That is why I would recommend a 737 type with the ATP and that is it unless you have a job offer contingent upon obtaining a specific type (and that is a whole different can of worms). As A4s said. type ratings can be an expensive waste of money. I have 3 and used GI Bill to cover part of the cost on all of them. I was able to obtain either employer funds (727) or unemployment funds (737 and CE500 - thanks to my 2 Hawaiian furloughs) to cover the remaining costs. I would not have any (except maybe the 737 type for SWA) if I had to pay for them with my money. I applied to at least 50 Citation pilot jobs and everyone wanted at least 100 hours in the aircraft plus the type (I had 20 hours).
As far as I know, Southwest is the only major airline that requires the type rating prior to employment. There are some "niche" airlines that require types too, such are Casino Express. None of the regional airlines require types.
To use your GI Bill for flight training, the training center must be either FAR part 141 or 142 and approved by the VA. GI Bill will pay 60% of the approved charges. At Higher Power, that equates to a straight 60% of the bill. K&S used to do creative stuff like including your hotel room in the price so it was not a straight 60% of the bill.
The ATP ride is the same thing as a type rating ride. So it's a 2fer. You will have to have the ATP written test completed before attending. Plan on either place taking 2 weeks. After you get your GI Bill reimbursement (1 to 2 months after finishing - you pay up front), it will cost you about $3000 to $3500 best guess. All flight training is done in a simulator and uses airline procedures.
Another way many military pilots go about getting their ATP is through Airline Transport Professionals . They are NOT GI Bill but have the advantage of being a 3 day course that includes the written for about $2000. The course is in a Piper Seminole (twin piston) with no ground school. It's all single piloted and they have longer courses (for more $) for those who may not have flown lately or who have never flown a light civil twin. I did my ATP at ATPs Phoenix in May 1999.
If I was you, I'd probably bite the bullet, pay the extra $ and go the 737 type rating route. Southwest actually sends People Department pilot hiring reps to Higher Power for a briefing during each course. The two companies are very tight and most HPA trainees end up getting a SWA interview. Plus, SWA is one of the few that will interview & hire you prior to your release from active duty. You will save money in the long run this way if SWA is your goal. However, be warned that currently SWA is only hiring about 35% of those that interview. The good news is that they are hring a lot for the next few years (500+ per year).
If you have no desire to go to SWA, just get the ATP at ATPs as it is the cheapest and easiest option.
A note of caution - in most cases, type ratings are usually worthless without time in the aircraft (I know this from experience). They may be a tie breaker between 2 applicants but that is about it. SWA is the major airline exception. That is why I would recommend a 737 type with the ATP and that is it unless you have a job offer contingent upon obtaining a specific type (and that is a whole different can of worms). As A4s said. type ratings can be an expensive waste of money. I have 3 and used GI Bill to cover part of the cost on all of them. I was able to obtain either employer funds (727) or unemployment funds (737 and CE500 - thanks to my 2 Hawaiian furloughs) to cover the remaining costs. I would not have any (except maybe the 737 type for SWA) if I had to pay for them with my money. I applied to at least 50 Citation pilot jobs and everyone wanted at least 100 hours in the aircraft plus the type (I had 20 hours).
