Jan 2, 2012, I headed up to Las Vegas NV, to start my training activity. I had been told a little what to expect, which was a lot of class, notes, studying, and stress. We had a test every 5-6 days or so, and the tests got progressively longer, and 90% and above was passing, anything less was a FAIL. Tests were cumulative, with a few questions from past tests on each new one. We were allowed 2 retakes total the whole time, but only one per test. So if you fail one, you could retake it, but if you fail the retake, your out. When out instructor, Todd, would hand out tests, I literally culd not feel my arms and legs. It was the highest anxiety I had ever felt in my life.
But rewind to day one.....I had emailed with my roomate, and we really hit it off, love her. We met up at the hotel, I saw a couple of people I recognized from the interviews, and I was pretty excited because they seemed great.
We had been emailed a list 180 airport codes (phoenix is PHX, for instance) buuuut, some made no sense, for example Kalispell, MT is GPI. So right off the bat, we had been already studying, knowing that the test on that, and military time was in the first couple days. The first 4 day we were there were a little bit chill, not too crazy, but then it got pretty intense!
Practicing on the bus to UtahWell the first test everyone passed, some retakes, but it was so hard when I just wasn't sure what to expect. I had no idea if my brain even still worked! I wasn't exactly a brainiac in High school. Then...the power points and notes started. OH my gosh, we had several DAYS of 8 hours a day just straight up taking notes. And almost all of it was going to be tested. So I kept making note cards, memorizing charts, studying, rewriting notes, making more note cards, and trying not to stress. One or 2 times we got 2 days off, but usually worked 6 days a week. CPR, first aid, self defense, service carts, customer service, emergencies, emergency landings on land, emergency landings on water, other emergencies, every detail of the plane, then everything all over for a different kind of plane, etc etc. We went up to Utah to train on a different plane, on a bus, and came back to Vegas the next day. On a bus. And tests all throughout. My awesome roomate didn't pass her retake on the second test, and I was super bummed to see her go, but my new roomate was cool too. Needless to say, we really pulled together as a group, and helped each other as much as we could. There were people from Florida bases, AZ, and Vegas, about 47 started and 42 finished, which is awesome considering the size of our group.
Our instructors, I have to say, were pretty amazing. One of the most annoying parts of class, even moreso than notetaking, was.....the questions. It took alllll my patience some days to just sit there while people asked questions. REally dumb questions. And it was always the same 5 or 6 people. But our instructors totally handled it, and keep in mind, that they have classes one ofter the other to answer stupid questions from. And when people asked pertinent and important questions, they gave very good answers. They did such an amazing job, being clear, concise, and consistent.
Food: We were provided breakfast at the hotel. It was a pretty good one, with variety. Which was great for about a week. I eventually had to start bringing my own cereal and instant oatmeal. We were able to take extra stuff from breakfast for lunch or up to our rooms (we had mini fridges and microwaves) but when you are sick of the breakfat, the last thing you want is the same stuff for lunch too. LOL We had to pack lunch every day, and that gave me a new appreciation for my kids taking lunch for school every day. Jello cups, pudding cups, nuts, and microwave soup were my usual choices. It dosen't take long to get sick of processed food, thats for sure. I had brought my crock pot, which TOTally saved me at dinner! I made Dr Pepper ribs a couple times, lemon chicken, baked potatoes, stuff like that. There was a really good Thai restaurant next door, and a really good Tapas restaurant too. I didn't go too much but it was nice to have options, because my crockpot was great, but doing the dishes in the bathroom sink, not so much.
It was VERY hard to sit for soooooo long every day! I could feel my legs losing what little muscle tone I had left. Still working on getting that back. We did have some fun times though. I met some really fun and great people that I will be friends forever with. You just get close with people in that situation, and people are pretty on the ball for the most part. I have been able to work with people already, and it was really great.
I made it through the whole thing without getting sick like most people.....until the 2nd to last day. Day before the finals (written 100 questions, emergency evac drills, verbal final including 2 pages that had to be memorized and almost word for word) & safety demo....I sat there in class for 8 hours with my face on fire with fever, my throat horribly sore and a throbbing headache taking notes. I had to go to urgent care after class, I had an ear infection, strep and a horrible horrible chest cold. Nice. Timing. I loaded up on meds and crashed. Next morning was the final, I did everything fine except.....changed 6 answers on my written test, 4 had been right originally and paired with some other mistakes.... which was enough to give me an 87%. EPIC FAIL. It was awful. There were 5 of us, most of us had passed every other stinkin test! So I had to study the night before graduation, still sick as a dog, while everyone else went out to dinner to celebrate. Boo ME! the next morning I got dressed up in my uniform for graduation, and went in early for my retake, which if I didn't pass I was going home with no job and a waste of 6 weeks. I tried not to overthink it, and I passed my retake thank goodness but what an adrenaline rollercoaster!!!
Study Study Study!!!!
BUT...bottom line, I DID IT!! It was certainly the hardest thing I can ever think of doing! SO worth it though, so far. Mark did such an AMAZING job with the kids the whole time I was gone, he totally ran the show, worked, got them to all of their stuff, kept the house super clean, cook actual meals, read scriptures, the whole nine yards. I am so proud of him! And the kids! It has been really good since I've been back, too because everyone has been helping out so much more and pitching in. I had a couple days off, then last week I flew 5 days, and I'm on all call this coming week, then March will be a little crazy. I do have a schedule, though so its good to have a set thing. After March it will taper off and not so crazy busy. Then in the fall I will hardly have to work but still get paid. WOO hoo! :D
Ahhhhh The relief on my face!!! LOL
Allie, Shane, me and Joanna!! We did it! WHEW!
SO glad I did it, I could never do it again!! LOL With great sacrifice comes great rewards!
