FFDO Training - Pack List
 

So there is an old thread in this forum that I found on search where the last post was 2016. Since you can't bump old threads anymore, I had no choice to create a new one.

I am heading to FFDO training soon and because the old thread (located here https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/m...pack-list.html) seemed outdated as the training and what is issued has changed, I am creating a new thread.

Has anybody who has been there recently have any tips or tricks for people going?

I am trying to pack everything in my roller board and flight bag so I can keep my commute there and back flexible, so that doesn't leave much room to pack for a week. Was thinking of taking some sturdy boots, but they would take up most of my bag. So I think I am just going to bring my tennis shoes, is that okay to get by for the week? Seems like the other big theme of the old thread was to bring Band-Aids and sheepskin.

Roll aboard

I brought boots and yes they took up a large amount of space. I would recommend tennis shoes for a footwear option. Bring a reloader if you have one...your fingers will thank you!

Don't have a reloader but I know what you mean. Is it worth getting one? Is it just a generic handgun loader that you can get?

What's a roller board

Bring one if you want to get ragged on. You don’t need one. Tennis shoes are perfect, a good belt, everything else is provided

The reloader is called an Uplula, and it's well worth the 29.99 cost. Takes a minute or two to get the hang of it, but then you can reload without punishing your hands, which eventually affects your grip/aim. The last few bullets of any hi-cap mag are a PITA to load without an Uplula.

We used athletic tape. The kind similar to what you tape up a hockey stick with. Wrap your loading thumb in the tape to avoid cuts and other nasties from loading 300-350 rounds a day, every day, for two weeks. Nobody, and I mean nobody, brought a reloader. Don’t be the odd man.

Rattlesnake season, boots are good. A good quality belt to support the weapon and off side gear.

Haha. Is there a class bully that will pick on you?

I love the reloaded with my HK. Bullying be damned

Boots/shoes
Sleeping clothes
Toiletries


That’s literally all you need. They give you everything you will be wearing. The days are long, and if you want to go to the gym after you’ll have to wear the provided issued pt gear. So you literally need to bring nothing.

Don’t bring a reloader.

Here is an exhaustive list of things to bring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPwW7RaPO_g

Training is down to 5 full days now, with a travel day before and after. I am not sure what they cut out from what you guys used to have to do.

Reloader? Oh don’t be “that guy”?

An Uplula reloader weighs about 2 ounces and is less than 3 inches tall. Fits in the palm of your hand. Won't take up much space. In fact, it takes up less space than, say, a roll of hockey tape...Maybe we're talking about different reloaders?
As a CCW instructor, every student that has borrowed my Uplula (strange name, I agree) has asked where to get them and how much.

I've never seen guys on the gun range with hockey tape on the fingers. That's just weird.

When I went back in 2004, they banned reloaders from the range.

How's the living situation when you are there? I am going to class in August!

If your hands can’t handle the reloading don’t show up...or on the Redondo long go shove your hands in the sand and wiggle for a few hours.

You’ll be sharing a bathroom with the guy in the next room over, and the bathroom probably has a bunch of hair on the floor.

They’re putting new guys out as FFDO’s with only 5 days of actual training?

We did classroom in the AM. Legal liability, use of force, and associated con law.
Afternoons were the rubber room trying to kill each other. Firing range, FATS like firing simulator and the other stuff I’m sure they still do.

Don’t bring a speed loader. Your range instructors are a bunch of salt of the earth retired police officers. Bring underwear, t shirts and some good tennis shoes. Every thing else is provided and I mean everything.

Fly into Roswell if you can. Otherwise it’s a 4 hour ride from ABQ.

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

I heard there was a process in which you can trade monetary currency for a confirmed seat to and from Roswell for training.

I believe it’s referred to as “bought a ticket to save my time and stress,” in the real world. I guess this is a new idea to many pilots

When I went through it had already been cut down to 6 days and the FAM instructors claimed that they'd quit if the higher ups cut it down any further. Not sure what they could cut more. We were already running solid from the moment we woke up until practically it was time to get some sleep.

My buddies wife told me you don’t need anything besides your short sleeve uniform for day 1, toiletries, underwear, socks, sturdy belt, and boots or sport shoes... you wear issued clothing and use their backpack and water bottle daily. Don’t bring a reloaded (won’t let you use it). Food is good, WiFi works, and you have a shared bathroom between rooms to use. They run a shuttle bus to/from ABQ... most use this or rent a car. No real free time so rental car is a waste.

Mods please shut this down. Discussing details needs to stop.

Haha.

“Packing white t shirts”

SSI alert! Terrorists will use that against us.

We're watching it carefully. No operational details whatsoever are allowed, but training admin and logistics is OK to discuss.

Hey General Hayden, nothing more is discussed then what is available in many public articles such as this https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43377461.

Someone deleted their post I was referring to. They were asking about what bags to use at work. Thats why I posted what I did. I dont give a **** about the packing list.

Report post button is your best bet in future instances.

Anything wrong with it?