Airline First Officer without ATPL passes?

Question

Here in Australia, I noticed invariably all airlines expect ATPL theory passes before applying for a F/O's position.

However - legally speaking the ATPLs aren't needed until Captain's positions - and also I met an F/O from an Asian airline who's only sitting his exams now.

Curious to know - worldwide, what airlines take First Officers prior to ATPL passes?

If you are involved or went through this way - do you think it's a good idea? Or a better idea to have passes first?

(By the way I'm in the final stages of mine at the moment...)

Thanks!

Answer 1

The EU require all operating crew to have an ATPL so any international airline who flys there require the FO's to have a minimum of a frozen ATPL. The may be one of the reasons why.

Answer 2

Good idea, bad idea. Doesn't matter. You do it or you don't get hired. Ane what's a frozen ATPL? h**l, what's a ATPL? Do you mean ATP? When did all these terms come into play?

Answer 3

They basically want you to have it done so that when it comes time to pass your ATP, you already have that part taken care of and its one less thing that can hold you up during upgrade training.

Most airlines require it to be passed prior to being hired, simply for that reason.  Some regionals do not require it though.  In the US, Mesa for example does not require it.  I'm also not positive that SkyWest requires it.  However at every airline, it is required to have it passed prior to beginning training when one upgrades from FO to CA.

John:  A frozen ATPL is one where the student has demonstrated practical ability but does not yet have the time.  It allows one to pass their ATP checkride prior to actually earning the certificate...it is in effect "frozen" until that student logs the requisite flight time.  Basically it allows flight schools to charge student more for an absolutely meaningless rating.  "Commercial Single/Multi- Frozen ATPL" program sounds better I guess...and is no doubt significantly more expensive.

and the ATPL is simply an ATP with the word "license" attached to the end of it :)