Chemtrail1

I'd love to hear how the OP is doing along the way now that he made it to the line. It's been rough for half the class at least, to say the least. I've been looking here and there for a morale boost and this thread looks like a ray of hope.

wrxpilot

Wow. That is really unusual. Is there anything in particular that people in your class struggled with?

Chemtrail1

Nothing in particular, but more of a feeling of impending doom because of perceived emphasis anomalies. EG: We spent a 45 minutes in systems on ELECTRICAL (slides mechanically read by a guy who never flew the jet), and 4 hours practicing opening emergency exits. That is one example of why we are afraid of the oral. I removed the line in my post because I want to try and get past the Oral and Sims without calling any more attention to myself lol.

JohnBurke

An airline job is one in which one is expected to help one's self: study. One cannot and should not expect to breeze through the training and pass on the strength of classroom lectures alone. Those who did the bare minimum to get through their primary training (eg, Shepherd Air and memorizing answers) may be in for a rude awakening.

Chemtrail1

Yup, we learned that lesson right away. We are learning systems 100% on our own, and find the classroom to primarily (for now at least) be negative training, as there are conflicts between the lecture materials, the instructor, and the ASM. We are relying on the AOM and ASM, and studying after hours. Unfortunately we are mandated to be in class from 9 hours a day, and therein lies the problem. I'd prefer to be given more time away from "death by monotone power point reader guy who never flew the jet" to just study the ASM etc. End rant.

wrxpilot

Well... That’s not really unusual. It sucks the guy never flew the plane, but it definitely happens. Spending 45 mins on electrical slides is definitely not bad, and could be a lot worse. I think we spent all day talking about the propeller when I was in Brasília ground school. We absolutely spent more than 45 mins talking about electrical on that plane too.

Doors training seems excessive for four hours... But I’m assuming that was also including testing emergency equipment?

I agree with the other poster that a lot of self study is required in 121. They will not spoon feed you, and that goes for the majors as well (often times the major airline training programs aren’t as good as some regionals).

wrxpilot

Conflicting material is definitely frustrating, and for that you definitely have my sympathy. You’re doing the right thing though by studying what you can. If it gets bad enough, I would consider asking for a different instructor.

JohnBurke

Study the material in advance so that when you sit through the classroom lecture, it confirms what you've already read, and have any questions ready at that time.

Study groups are your friend.

Your walls should be plastered with posters, flash cards, lists, systems, procedures, etc. They should be inside the bathroom door, so when you sit on the toilet, you're repeating memory items. On the mirror. By the bed. All over the TV, because you should be watching those cards rather than the evening news. Live it, eat it, breathe it, sleep it.

Get yourself a little airplane model and put it on the counter and stare at it while you're pacing the room rehearsing systems, bold face items, etc. Quiz your buddies, let them quiz you. Highlight the hell out of everything until Sharpie gives you stock, then put notes in the margins, and if you have electronic books, then burn up a box of stylus.

It might save your life one day.