TRAINING

Entering week 5, the heat is up and the pace is high. Training consists of 4 phases. The first week was basic indoc.....blah. After you take and pass the indoc exam, you start systems for the aircraft. Everything from powerplant, to landing gear, to pnematics and electrics....you are expected to know about by the end. There is no spoonfeeding here. You are expected to read the manuals they give you, and use the slides in class as a guide for what to study. I would estimate a 70/30 self taught to classroom ratio of information. It has been intense. At the end of systems another test is taken. This is a much harder test than indoc. Anything in the manuals is fair game.

There has been a strong initiative in the training department here to up the bar for systems knowledge by new hires. Our class was the first to receive a new and improved version of the test. Half the class didnt pass(with an 80). Most were within a point or two so they retrained the guys and they all passed on the second try.(diff test). Well, we warned the guys in the class after us to study hard, yet they still managed to fail 6 guys. Alot of guys are being hired in the regionals with low times and dont realize what it takes to get through training. The mindest isnt there to study hard and not go out, etc. Guys come here expecting a vacation of sorts. That is about the furthest thing from what its like.
Anyways, After systems you get into the FTD. Its a real cockpit with working avionics and flight controls. It doesnt move and there are no visuals so its a good way to learn procedures and how to fly the autopilot. After the FTD, you go into the full motion sim. Thats where you learn to fly the airplane for real. I am just a few ftd sessions from getting into the sim. I cant wait.

My advice for anyone going to airline training for the first time:
1) expect to work hard
2)dont even think about going out partying...you have plenty to do with that free time
3)do not get involved in politics between staff and students. Take care of yourself and you will be better off
4)get to know your classmates. We have a tight knit class and its proved invaluable for study groups, moral support, sanity.
5)read whatever they give you to read. What you need to know is in there.
6)Keep the focus and pressure on for the duration you are there....Its hard to do and some lose focus towards the end and bust.....training is an endurance event....like a marathon.

Just some advice from someone in week 5 of a 6 week training course. Hope this helps someone.