I got my ATP years ago in a Bell 47 when I had about 2000hrs. I'm civilian trained and had the desire to get all my ratings out of the way at a young age. Actually I expected the majority of my co-workers would have ATP's as my carreer progressed, but it's the opposite. The ATP has helped me land a job or two and I seem to get a little more respect going into checkrides. I don't claim to be any smarter than the average pilot but I did learn things that I would not have had I had stopped at the commercial rating. I wish I had the training some of my military co-workers have had, unfortunately I did not qualify for military service. 

The thing I don't understand is that even though companies often say ATP preffered on job postings, it seems very few companies push to get pilots to take ATP test in conjunction with the annual part 135 ride. In fact I don't think I have ever heard of the suggestion from any of the companies I worked for, (to includes Metro, AMC, Med Trans and PHI). In the fixed wing world pilots consider it a must have, why is it not the same for us? With more military pilots going to the airlines there is a shortage or instrument helicopter experience from civilian job applicants. When are the companies going to wake up to the fact that they need to become part of the solution, and offer training for civilian pilots with no actual IMC time? European companies have co-pilot slots for newbies to build on the job training, not so much in the USA.

What has your experience been regarding this?

didn't really advertise it but if you wanted an ATP, they would arrange it for annual recurrent for IFR pilots. All of the companies you mention will transition you to IFR, even with no IFR background, let alone IMC time. 

All offshore, EMS and 135 charter companies that operate IFR train pilots with no IFR experince as SIC's. You think every IFR pilot came out of the military? You don't know this?

Most companies will help you get the ATP but you have to ask and be somebody they feel it's worth investing in.

Yes, in the fixed wing world, the ATP is manditory. It is all IFR flying. You usually show up with one you got on your own dime though. This has changed recently due to pilot shortage.

The reason there are not that many helicopter ATP's is because there isn't a lot of helicopter IFR done. If you go that route, you will probably eventually acquire it. 

The "solution" to more IFR pilots is companies make them, as they have been doing so for decades.

If you think having an ATP makes you a better aviator, you ARE the problem....

The company that puts you in the captain seat of a two crew IFR aircraft. You'll never get there without it. Why did you put commercial in all caps, because you just have a commercial cert, I imagine. BTW, they're all commercial jobs. lol

there isn't much to an r-22

ah Yes they ole do just enough to get by!! You must be a great employee 😂

When AMC was a single pilot IFR company, they encouraged the ATP ratiing and I in fact did get it on one of my annual check rides.

The industry is now pretty much VFR.  Those that are IFR, with a few exceptions, really use IFR.  So is there really a need for an ATP?

If you're already having trouble getting enough PICs, where do you go for a bunch of SICs?  

Grab all the folks with wet commercial certificates?

would you rather be an IFR SIC or a VFR PIC for the same money? IFR SIC is an upgrade and skips a step to the big money. You may notice they don't advertise for IFR SIC's. That's because they don't have to. There is no shortage of IFR PIC's. Yes, a 500 hour ranger would work but when the bid comes up for IFR SIC's, lots and lots of VFR pilots bidding inhouse.

already doing that in HEMS

have your finger on what is true.

Only place the ATP is worthwhile is corporate application for insurance purposes or actually operating as a helicopter airline pilot on scheduled service, sure there are other caveats.

The ATP add on is easy, do the written and just nail your maneuvers, voila.  

Corporate aviation can be very very rewarding!  Not as a awkward as one might think.

what is different about scheduled vs on demand as it applies to the which certificate you hold since there are no scheduled helicopter operations in the US.And why would I think corporate as "awkward".

I can't speak for the Army or air force or reserves, but every Navy, Marine Corps and Coastie helic pilot has a very solid IFR background. 

a significant Number of pilot trainees are washed out of the aviation pipeline during IFR primary (Pre wings) training. 

The certificate doesn't determine the medical class required. Standard commercial operations require second class, no matter which certificate you carry.

there's somebody out there that thinks you have to get a first class medical if you have an ATP. holy crap.

theres actually a pilot out there that thinks he needs a first class if you have an ATP and would rather not know if he has heart problems and that's just great

theres actually a pilot out there that thinks he needs a first class if you have an ATP and would rather not know if he has heart problems and that's just great

I'd just rather be surprised one day with the 'big one'.

...because there aren't any helicopter airlines?

if they didn't prefer you had an ATP, they wouldn't have the bonus. I swear this place has some of the dumbest mother f**kers on the planet

but you usually have to ask. companies don't have a DPE on staff. it's usually arranged through flight safety and done in the sim.

bucks to you and more off their insurance - get it?

in cost to insure you, but it takes a good number of years to cover the cost of the aircraft utilization.  Get what you can, when you can.

We have 40+ pilots and every swinging richard has an ATP(H) rating.  That being said, we file and fly IFR on a daily basis.

I can't say I learned anything from my ATP, it was just another rating and checkride amoung hundreds.   In the Helicopter world, the regs don't require it like some fixed wing ops.   Most clients do in the other hand for the PIC in O&G.   Don't think it matters much in EMS and certainly not in utility.