RAH First day of class...
 

I got the email with the confirmation of the offer of employment. It gave me the address to Flight Safety in STL. Would I be best to just drive up there, or will they fly us to STL for class. Also, I can't get the attachments for the Training Agreement and Promissory note to open. Will they have copies to sign at Flight Safety, or do I need to get someone to resend them? Or will they even notice if I don't turn it in ;)

They will fly you to STL for class. After that, you are on your own. They will only positive space you to a base between and after training events. Its a major headache and pain. Be prepared to be hung out to dry repeatedly by the company during your transition. That's how we've all been treated. It sucks, but the only consolation I can offer is that it gets better once you are on the line.

WRT to the car, if you live less than a few hundred miles away, I'd highly recommend take it. It will make your experience much more enjoyable. There is some decent stuff to do in STL if you have a car.
The area around FSI is a crap hole. If they put you up in the Comfort Inn Westport, you have no execuse for not having a good time. PM me if you have any questions about STL or the training process.

You will sign all the paperwork the first day of class when HR shows up and trys to get out of there as quickly as possible. If you have enough questions and make them miss their flight back to IND, you get bonus points.

Any commuting home over the weekend like Xjet guys do, or are you there the entire time?

you'll most likely have weekends off, but you'll be on your own to make it home. as long as you get your company ID, you can jumpseat...however you will not be entered into CASS until after training, so you will not be able to jumpseat in the cockpit.

some airlines and/or stations better than others about helping you out when you tell them you have not yet been entered into CASS. for me, southwest was, by far, the easiest and most helpful with jumpseating.

alot of folks in my class made it home every weekend without any problems. however, i am with CHQ and that was in HOU...so i can't tell you too much about how easy it is from STL.

congrats and welcome!

I made it home almost every weekend during systems training. Our FSI guy had us "start early" on Friday and "work through lunch" so that we could leave around 2-3pm to make flights home. If SWA serves the city you are trying to get to outta STL, you're made in the shade. If there are more than enough seats in the cabin, they won't even check CASS. If they do and you come back denied, they will barely even flinch and give you a seat in the cabin if one is available. I tried using American while in training ONCE and while I made it on, it was a huge headache as the gate agent had no idea what to do with someone who was CASS denied and did not possess American benefits. The gate agent WAS extremely helpful though and eventually "worked something out" and told us to get on and keep our mouths shut.

Would you recommend mini*fridge or electric-grill? How much clothing to bring *any time for laundry?

The hotel in STL will "rent" you a mini-fridge for the length of your stay for $10. We got one, barely used it. It all depends on the person though. There is a laundry mat down the street...but go there with a friend or 12. Sunday was usually laundry day and a group of us would head down there to study and get our stuff clean. Try to pack as lightly as possible. A couple polo shirts, some khaki pants, and maybe a pair of jeans/tshirt and gym shorts is really all you need. It's not like you can't rewear that stuff once since you're just sitting in an air conditioned building all day. Bring a chartcase as it will make it easier to cart around all the manuals you'll get on the first day.

Heads up, we don't stay at the Slumfort Inn anymore. They moved the trainee's out of that hotel due to the poor service and potential liability from the criminal nature of the surroundings. Hotels have been a crap shoot, but I was at the Holiday Inn Express in Riverport and lots of guys have been staying at the Comfort Inn Westport. Both are in nice areas. Westport has a bunch of restaurants and bars about a half mile away.

they have us starting Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Airport, in Earth City.....

That's the nicer Holiday Inn across the highway from the Express. It has a full service restaurant and bar downstairs. There is a gas station and Jack in the Box next door, indoor go cart place down the street. There is also a small line of shops about a 1/2 mile away with a McD's, chinese place and pizza. There are also two casinos within a 5 minute drive.