Riverside

I was told that they were going to add a couple more days of CBT in the areas where guys are failing at. But I'm not sure if they did this yet, since I only interviewed a few weeks ago and haven't started training yet.

portfo

They have added 3 more cbt sessions after you finish systems and before your oral. The May class was the first to have it. The problem I think lies in the fact the training is very technically oriented as opposed to operationally oriented. They overload you with info and numbers and I think some of the guys having issues just don't know what to prioritize and how to decider what they truly need to know.

Riverside

Looks like I'm going to have fun in August. Any good before training tips?

Thunderpig

I asked about this issue specifically at my interview and they addressed it as a problem with the product coming in, particularly people who were unprepared for the onslaught of information requiring memorization and the added weight of accomplishing an ATP check out at the same time. Mike seemed to believe that the completion rate should pick up a bit with the new changes. As to tips, I suggest flash cards...LOTS of flash cards. 6 weeks until class start and I am starting now...the checklists are as numerous as the Navy had in T-34 training and you have to regurgitate it verbatim per AF standards...

Riverside

Yeah Mike seem very optimistic that these new changes will help the washout rate. I've been studying the flashcards but with 27 memory items and so many other limitations. I keep on getting numbers and items mixed up.

FlyingKat

The key to passing to ATP oral, and the oral in general are the Limitations and Memory items. If you waste your strikes on those, its kinda like missing a free throw. The APDs will get you in the systems somewhere, it happens. The Limitations and Memory items are the first thing the APDs go over in the oral, and they pretty much know if you are passing or not by the end of them.

Also beware of the trap of getting to know them early, and failing to continue to practice them. That hangs a lot of folks up. You have to keep practicing them often until the oral. They are arcane and a pain in the rear. But you gotta know them all cold. It is what it is.

I passed my ATP oral the first time, and didn't miss one. I remain convinced that is why I passed and some struggled.

Best of luck to you guys. If I made it through the TSA schoolhouse, anybody can. It is just a matter of preparation, positive attitude, and effort.

flynavyj

You hit the nail on the head...

Flash cards, flash cards, and more flash cards. I was given a small stack by a former TSA pilot when I started with them, but quickly replaced many of them with updated memory items. Studied those DAILY and put hours on them...last thing I'd look at before going to bed, 1st thing I'd look at when I woke up, and went over them time and time again until I could recite them, verbatim, without question. Each checkride starts the same way, "We're going to cover a few memory items" and they're not looking for your interpretation of "what to do" they want to know the words that are written next to the word for every single one. If you're having trouble with that, double down on your efforts and keep at it, it's the only way through. Also, be sure to know the little nuances, differences between "Takeoff Reject" and "Aborted Takeoff Procedure Accomplish" (unless they finally cleared up that little mix up...which they might have since I've been gone).

Every checkride I also had a "fairly" easy time during the systems portion, but I attribute that to never going in unprepared...I'm not God's gift to aviation, but I would study my butt off to the fullest extent possible before every checkride, read the systems manual cover to cover, and memorize responses to 6" worth of flash cards covering every system in detail, including the limitations of each system, etc...in fact, i'm getting a headache just thinking about it...and if you're going through training, you should too! You can relax a bit once you get on the line, until they, you're they're to SUFFER Enjoy!

Slim11

I agree with all the above and will add this...

Copy the memory items and limitations sent to you into a word document, then blank out the numbers and items you are required to know. Use this "document" to give yourself a self-test. Writing is an active learning process. I used this method in addition to flash cards and it worked well.

TBucket

I'll eliminate about 9 of them for ya. If the item has the word "engine" in it, the answer is "Rejected takeoff procedure - Accomplish".

Worked here for six freaking years before someone told me that.

FlyingKat

Yep. If you look there are a few patterns you can use on the memory items to help you out. Also I had a Check Airman give me the tip to record them on your phone and recite them as the recording plays. Helps you get used to reciting them orally under pressure.