Do you have a CA upgrade for a partner? That makes a world of difference. You sit in your seat the whole time and do your job the whole time. I'll just echo what the other guys have said.....climb into the sim on day 1 with your calls and flows down...saves a lot of time. Learn the ins and outs of the MSP early as it will decrease your workload dramatically. Get ready for some single engine full NDB approaches to minimums !!

 

Yes my partner is a upgrading CA. Can't wait for those NDB approaches.

 

David Clark X10's work great for me on the Saab. They fit nicely on top of my binders in my flight case. I also wear earplugs for preflight although MSP is quieter than DTW I have noticed.

As for the sim--the best suggestion I have heard (and one I used) is to sit in on other people. You can see the whole picture and even see what you are needing work on. Relax, think ahead and have some fun!

 

I have to do my first 4 sim sessions down in St. Louis, then back to minneapolis for the rest. Anyone know how it is down in St. Louis?

 

Anyone going to Denver for CRJ sims yet?

Or are they still doing them at YUL? Any word on when the switch will, or has happened?

 

I just got back from STL last week, I did my first 4 lessons down there as well. The C simulator kinda sucks and has some quirks but it does the job. It's just really old and out dated. The hotel they put you up in down there is awesome...you'll like it. Restaurant and bar inside...big discounts on drinks and food, free starbucks coffee downstairs in the morning, and make sure you get some of those fresh cookies at the front desk.

 

It's always good to hear about a truly decent Saab hotel.

 

Well, back in the summer it wasn't as good... no discounts that we were made aware of, and the only other place to eat nearby was Bandana's up the hill. As far as the room, the only one I've had that was better was MSL, which is actually quite the compliment.

I also assume that the 10-family-reunions-per-weekend thing is over by now. (that was one of the worst parts... overcrowded and SUPER loud)

 

I've been holed up in the TownePlace Suites (Marriott) for the two weeks, now going on three. The only thing that might make it better is an indoor pool and/or a in-house restaurant. There is a Chili's within about 50 steps, gas stations, Walmart, and a Rainbow Foods grocery store within 5 minutes driving distance.

I could not be happier with the setup. Thank god I have Verizon National Broadband. The free "high-speed" internet rarely crawls over 1mb/sec...which is a far cry from my 3mb/sec at home. Other than that, the fridge, kitchen, dish washer, utensils, toaster, microwave, and oven have been more than sufficient. My advice, though, is to not try and cook bacon in the hotel room...I set the fire alarm off during my first Saturday morning and I ticked off alot of people. Then the fire department showed up. Dude, this oven defies the laws of physics....I literally have the power of the sun available to me in my kitchen. Ramen noodles are supposed to take 3 minutes....they take 1.5 minutes on my oven.

My group just passed the second week of General Subjects and we're onto Systems starting tomorrow until the 15th. This is a great company...great training.......great people. I'm grateful for the opportunity.

 

What about the "social group" that ocupied a couple of floors above you for the weekend ? Did they detract from crew rest and study ?