FFDO Training - Pack List
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: CA
Posts: 1,226
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.
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.
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2019
Posts: 448
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.
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2019
Posts: 448
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?
#25
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.
Fly into Roswell if you can. Otherwise it’s a 4 hour ride from ABQ.
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: CA
Posts: 1,226
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 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.
#27
New Hire
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Position: A320 FO
Posts: 3
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.
#28
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.
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.
#29
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
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 353
I wish it were a 700! When I went a few years ago it was a 44 seat EMB-140... good luck
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