BeechV35

Hello,

Headed to ground school in a few weeks. I wanted to get opinions as to whether or not I need to drive myself from FL so I have my car to get around or is it not necessary from your previous experience there. Unsure if the hotel as shuttle service in the area. I appreciate you comments.

ZeroTT

Drive. DRIVE.

Skyhawk92

^^ what he said. I drove about 12 hours to Dayton and would of done it again. Nothing beats getting in your car to go get food in the pouring rain or going back to the hotel van instead of waiting 25 minutes for the hotel to maybe show up at the training center.

BeechV35

Thanks for the quick responses. I was thinking along those lines as well and already filled out the Class Travel Request Form that I would driving and not needing flight arrangements.

Jma313

Drive. If you do not have a car you will go insane.

Swakid8

I did just fine without a car, it sucks waiting on a hotel van. It depends if you really want your car or not.

Jet757

I would've only had a 7hr drive. I really wish I drove.

Just drive

Urban achiever

My sim partner had a car, but if it weren’t for that I would’ve flown home and drove 12hrs. Def bring a car, game changer. Besides the dining options around the training center are severely limited. Limited as in zero (unless you go in the airport) and I get tired of eating every meal from a lunchbox

irrelevant

Lol. Wait until you get online. Probably 80% of the crew members eat out of lunchboxes. Nothing wrong with that, but at times it gets old working with so many slam-clickers.

chrisreedrules

Honestly who cares? If someone wants to go out and do their thing. Do it. If someone wants to stay in their room and eat our of their cooler. Do it.

Half the time if I go out I’d rather go out alone anyway. I get plenty of, “So what do you do for fun?” “So are you planning on sticking around for the flow or are you trying to get on elsewhere?” “Hey have you ever flown with (insert pilot you don’t know)?” “So what do you think about (insert current world event)?” “Do you know anything about the hotel we’re staying at? It isn’t ringing any bells for me.”... in the cockpit.

You want to know what really gets old? Hearing what seems like the same story over and over of pilots getting steam-rolled by HR because they decided to go out drinking with their crew or with their FAs and then inevitably someone says or does something stupid. All it takes is an accusation and it can ruin your career. Why risk it? I’ve heard more than several unfounded and outright fabricated stories told by FAs to try and screw over another member of the crew.

I’m good, I have friends and a family at home I’d rather socialize with. I’m sure you’re a nice person but quite frankly I don’t want/need more friends. If that hurts your feelings then I’m sorry. I’m not at work to, “go out and have fun”. I’m at work to make money. Money to pay my bills. Money for my wife and I’s retirement. Money so my daughter can go to a good school. Money so I can help take care of my disabled mom. My days off are for having fun. Work is for work. The two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive but I don’t judge anyone for their decision to what they want to do. It’s their business.