I trained last year and there were a few guys with reloaders. I was jealous. I did bring white surgical tape, put it on your thumbs before you need it! If you’re already bleeding it’s too late.

Otherwise I traveled with just the very basics. Underwear, socks , toiletries. Steal some shampoo from your next layover. Sneakers were fine.

They’ll give you the rest including a water bottle.

There is minimal free time, I don’t think I worked out at all in their gym.

Food was great. All you can eat, good variety and some healthy options as well.

Rooms are very basic. The AC worked as did the TV. The rest is bottom of the barrel government issue furniture. If you need the ritz Carleton you might be trouble. If you just enjoy some peace and quiet away from the wife and kids this is perfect lol. Share a common bathroom. Was fine.

Enjoy! It was a great week.

It's American so of course everything is packed. Also talked to a fellow pilot who missed training because he was bumped by more senior pilots going into ROW for the same FFDO training. Unfortunately ABQ and that horrible sounding bus ride is my only viable option.

They say to show up to the first day of class in your pilot uniform, but I think they mean only your top not the bottom right? Wording is a little confusing in the LOI. I assume that is for purposes of taking your ID head shot?

I was reading the LOI and it does not really explain who or how you will get picked up out of ROW it only gives you information about ABQ and what to do? Can anyone help with that!

One FAM instructor was a former Mass Trooper and national pistol competition champion. Great guy.

The bus ride from ABQ isn’t any worse than flying a transcon.

I actually enjoyed it. Again quiet time is nice when you have a packed house. The scenery is also pretty unique for those of us coming from the East Coast. Wasn’t so bad.

I would not recommend jumpseating into or out of ROW (unless you’re purchasing a ticket). You’ll be competing with 30 other fellow pilots also trying to jump out of Roswell a CRJ-700. The bus ride from ABQ sucks but it’s a for sure way to make it to and from training.

When I was there I got first class to Dallas out of Roswell. It’s for what is it worth.


Also don’t get the steak on the “armadillo steak night” for dinner. Beyond that the food is just like being at a college cafeteria again. I ate like a king.


If you must take the bus from Abq, they make a few stops along the way, one of which is a decent truck stop, so it’s not bad. On the last day, If you finish early enough you can maybe catch a flight out of Roswell. I flew into Abq and flew out of Roswell. It can be done.


There’s also a bar where you hold up for training. Treat the 100 year old lady bartender good, she’s actually got a good sense of humor.

Pilot shirt, epaulets and wings with police pants day one. They let you change out of it after photos taken.



Bring some surgical tape if you really want. At the end of the week, my hands were a little tired but didn’t need any bandages.

A decent gun belt is all I would recommend in purchasing. Saddlback leather has a lifetime guarantee. Their motto is “they’ll fight over it after you’re dead”. I use it now as my day to day black leather belt. It is a quality product. 10/10

I wish it were a 700! When I went a few years ago it was a 44 seat EMB-140... good luck