11 years ago at XJT (CoEx back then) They only had 60 EMB-145's at that time. There was no RJ prep schools or cool digital FTD's. After sims me and my training partner went to Savanah GA and met our instructor. For 5 nights we'd go to the airport and gas up an empty RJ and go fly around in the dark doing all the manuvers we did in the sim. Gas was cheap back then. The biggest thing I had flown was a Cessna 414. The first take off is definately memorable, had a blast the whole time. My check ride was a windy bumby night in LEX.

On IOE, same as everyone has stated. The plane was at cruise and I was still back at the gate in IAH. To top it off, first flight was an international flight IAH-CUU, so experienced dealing with Mexican controllers for the first time. I flew the return to IAH. Don't remember the take off or anything enroute. But I landed well and just remember my IOE captain being releived saying "Ok, I don't have to worry about you, you can land this thing".

It's been a crazy up and down road since. But I still love the job. Went to America West in 04' and had the same great feeling when I first took off in the A320 the first time too.