The true key to survival is your health. If you are prone to allergies, specifically carbon-pollutants and molds, be fore-warned: Houston has countless oil refineries and the Holiday Inn is damp. All the refineries are probably not operating but I am sure the hotel is still damp. I felt the effects starting the second day. I left training with a week to go because I could no longer function from being sick. I spent most of my time off going home to the doctor. If you are sensitive to allergies go to Houston armed with Allegra and/or Allegra-D; both are FAA approved. Dont take this information the wrong way, Houston's environment is beautiful. Take care of yourself with nourishment, sleep and exercise. Good-Eats is not the nourishment answer. Get a fridge and buy some decent food that can be mircrowaved. If you can, drive to Houston; the shuttle bus - SUCKS at best!!! Having your own wheels gives you a lot more freedom. Otherwise you can take the shuttle to the training center, airport, Mall or for a fee, Wal-Mart; thats it! There are paths south of the hotel; use them for exercise. The workout room in the hotel has two okay-treadmills and a 1960's broken, pulley-weight machine and no ventilation. Since the shuttle doesnt go anywhere I couldn't tell you about gyms in the area. I had trouble breathing at the hotel and couldnt sleep well anyway. Otherwise; accomodations were okay. I had a good roommate which helped me but I dont think I helped him much.
Clothing; bring business-casual. Ties the first day is half expected but you will be enlightened to dress casual from there. If this is your first airline job indoc is fun and interesting. CRM is a review of several airline crashes involving poor CRM. No tests and probably the easiest part of training. In ground school, if your systems instructor is CW, "The ERJ Systems Guru", his knowledge and teaching style will amaze you. However, the last I knew, he was upgrading to captain and is no longer teaching. If he is your ground instructor consider yourself blessed! The FTD's and sims were a blur for me but if you know your flows and limitations you should be fine. Have a thick skin because few of the flight instructors have a tendency to forget what it was like being in your shoes. Although, at the end of the day ya'll are friends again.
I am preaching here: After the FTD and SIM's; wash your hands before and after going to the restroom, eating, rubbing your eyes, picking your nose, or putting your fingers in your mouth. I know this seems silly but the biggest transfer of germs occurs from objects in the cockpit. Training fact: For the duration of your training, one person, or more, in your training group will be sick with a bacterial and/or viral infection. WHAT EVER IT TAKES...DONT GET SICK!!! Also, dont sneeze or cough into your hands or open air; do it into the pit of your elbow or shirt. I will let common sense tell you why. As far as other prophylactics; you are on your own. PRACTICE HEALTHY; STAY HEALTHY!!!
Overall, your classmates are your key support system, source of entertainment, vial of information, the list goes on. Had it not been for mine, I would have left sooner. I cant tell you about Fam flights, IOE or reserve. I start medical school next fall but would trade to be in your shoes anyday. Good luck.
|
Linear Mode
