Thanks for the info. So how long is the course in Seattle? 7 days or so? $8,000 isn't bad if it includes room and board and I think they take GI Bill for Mil folks. Nonetheless its nice to have another option out there...

 

Yeah about 7 or 8 days, something like that.

And by room and board I mean a hotel they have a rate negotiated with right across the street from the sim center.

 

OK, I got the $10,000 hat. Many of the comments were accurate, but some things have recently changed with HPA. First, they moved - make sure you know where they are located. Second, our class was large (14), so some went to sim in MSP (Sun Country), some to AAL in DFW (nights), and a couple to MIA (days). Make sure you get a strip map to the AAL facility, and to the sims within the correct building or you will get lost. Third, there were interruptions for administration and Socials - but they were not a factor for the Oral. Fourth, I would not recommend Holiday Inn nearby until the new management gets it together. Fifth, it has only been a couple of weeks and I just received a letter from the VA telling me they sent the payment to HPA. Sixth, SWA opened up application process the day my class finished...I don't have the TPIC for them, which is what I think I will have to tell a pilot recruiter when he asks: "Why don't you have a job with SWA?".

 

Reverted, good review, thanks. It sounds like you did the NG course? With the off site sim training at the various bases, was transportation to and from on your own dime, same with hotels? If so that sounds like additional cost and inconvenience, or was it not? Are they still running the classic sim? Good to hear the VA paid relatively quick, hope you get a call soon. I'm on the fence with the type, and don't want to burn extra months on the post 9-11 if I don't have to so I'm leaning towards the classic type if they still offer it.

If you have a sec, can you provide a breakout of the two week schedule?

 

I actually just signed up for the 737NG type rating course at HPA. For the ones who are about to say it....I have no kids and no desires to get a Masters. I have used the Post 9/11 GI Bill to pay for my ATP and MEI so this is next on the list! And yes I know I could have done the ATP and type at the same time.

So with all that out of the way, where do you recommend I stay? I was told that I can count on staying in the DFW area since I was the first one to sign up for the class date. Do you recommend renting a car?

Thanks in advance.

 

Hey, great plan! You might need a car though if you stay at the Holiday Inn - small menu. They did have a reliable shuttle and cost $59. Remember to tip - the driver was a 30 year employee at AAL OPS. My issues were with one bonehead on the restaurant staff, and the crowded parking lot - got my truck dinged by trailer hitch. Other stayed at the Embassy (?) Suites - see the list they provided. They have free breakfast and free beer. Good news: Whataburger nearby is open all night!

 

Thanks for the info and advice! I'll let you know if I have any more questions!

 

Jetnfast: No prob. Yep, did NG 48 hour course. They have courses that go for longer periods. I have 3K hours, mostly 135/121 time with some RJ & BE20 EFIS/FMS experience and the sim was a challenge for me. Getting the airborne calls down earlier would have been key to happier sims # 2 and # 4 for me. They had low time (foreign) students taking the longer courses.

Day one of ground/systems school was a Tuesday at 0800. They have free coffee, and provided free pizza on day one for everybody - and did this when new classes began the next week. Daily classes went until 1700. Day three we all were treated to a "Power Lunch" at a local restaurant. Some brought their lunch, some rode together to the local barbeque, some walked to Subway. Some guys did their orals on day 7 - and Higher Power gave them free tickets on SWA to fly to their sims in MSP and MIA. They had to cover their own hotels though. I might have felt sorry for the guys going to pay Hotel rates in Miami during Spring Break - but they had day sims!

I had my Oral on day 8 - and straight to the simulator at AAL that night: 2330 show, and 0030 - 0430 sim. I went to HPA each day to rehearse calls on the cockpit trainer, and to practice loading the FMS on the computer simulator. After a nap, I went to AAL early to review - and also to meet other pilots. My check ride was on the 6th sim - No surprises. Great instructors, cool evaluators - every one of them are all about the learning, and passing the Oral and check ride. Hope this answered the questions.

As for the VA benefit balance - I think they do provide a classic course. Good luck!

RR

 

Forgot to add to my answer: I had a vehicle - and drove to the classes and to the sim. I did take the shuttle a couple of times to the classes. My hotel was planning to add an all night shuttle to the sims (10 minute drive). I would recommend renting a car, if not only for the sim week if you are in DFW. I don't know about MSP or MIA.

RR

 

sitting in MSP now. Cost of rental car is HUGE!! most expensive I have ever paid.