Back when we had real ground schools and real ground school instructors, I sat in a 727 systems recurrent from 8-5 on the Fourth of July.

Even though we got done about 4, and the locals wanted to split for their barbeques, the instructor made us all stay there until 5pm!

He said, "I'd like to let you guys go home and start cooking, but you don't know who might be watching, so in case the FAA is around, we have to stay here until 5..."

I said, "Do you really think that ANYONE who works for the Government is WORKING ON THE FOURTH OF JULY??"

The rest of the class agreed with me, but we sat there until 5.

I was based in BOS at the time so when we were released I went back to the Holiday Inn on Va. Ave, where of course, nothing was open in the motel or on the street. Not a beer to be had, nor any food in sight.