mugenfan_98
Well-Known Member
I just thought I would take some time to fill some of you folks in on what to expect when you start your basics classes. These classes are universal for enroute and terminal people.
When your welcome letter says come at least 30 minutes early they aren't lying. The front gate gets backed up to the street and you need time to hit up the front security office and get parking passes (if you drove or plan to drive) and temp badges. Expect your first day to be nothing but presentations from everything about EOE, racism, inappropriate behavior, FAA based Credit union. Basically a lot of "them talking, you listening". You get sworn in as Federal employees, which, despite the negative stigma, was a very proud moment for myself. You also learn that day that you will not get your first per diem check until up to 2 weeks later on top of having to wait until day fifteen to turn in said per diem paperwork.
On your second day, DONT BE LATE. The gate will still be backed up and if you get stuck out front, TS. I highly recommend taking the bus even if you drove for two reasons: It saves on gas and If it's late so are 12 or so other people so it's not your fault. Kind of a nice insurance policy.
As far as actual class schedules, expect a break (10-15 min) every hour, as well as a forty minute lunch. There is a small cafeteria in the basics building called "Ted's". It has cheese burgers, hot dogs, nachos, salads, etc, etc. Cash only in this one. There is a larger cafeteria across from the basics building in the HQ building. More choices and more busy. They take debit cards and credit cards.
The curriculum is chunked down very well. You learn in lessons (ATB 1, ATB 2 and so on and so forth). At the end of each lesson you take a test between 8 and 20 questions long. It does not count for or against you. It is simply a review. You get to keep the answers as well as your scan-tron sheets with your score and any possible corrections you needed. At the end of a few lessons you take a block test on all the lessons. You have to get a 90%. If you don't get a 90 you take it over. If you don't get it after a few times it gets filed away. After it's all said and done you will take a 100 question final. You must get a 70% to move on.
Things I would reccomend purchasing/bringing include a lanyard (for your badge) and a binder with at least one folder. We did not get a copy of our books instead we got a cd with everything in pdf form. If you have any questions I'll try to answer them.
I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ACTUAL TEST CONTENT.
When your welcome letter says come at least 30 minutes early they aren't lying. The front gate gets backed up to the street and you need time to hit up the front security office and get parking passes (if you drove or plan to drive) and temp badges. Expect your first day to be nothing but presentations from everything about EOE, racism, inappropriate behavior, FAA based Credit union. Basically a lot of "them talking, you listening". You get sworn in as Federal employees, which, despite the negative stigma, was a very proud moment for myself. You also learn that day that you will not get your first per diem check until up to 2 weeks later on top of having to wait until day fifteen to turn in said per diem paperwork.
On your second day, DONT BE LATE. The gate will still be backed up and if you get stuck out front, TS. I highly recommend taking the bus even if you drove for two reasons: It saves on gas and If it's late so are 12 or so other people so it's not your fault. Kind of a nice insurance policy.
As far as actual class schedules, expect a break (10-15 min) every hour, as well as a forty minute lunch. There is a small cafeteria in the basics building called "Ted's". It has cheese burgers, hot dogs, nachos, salads, etc, etc. Cash only in this one. There is a larger cafeteria across from the basics building in the HQ building. More choices and more busy. They take debit cards and credit cards.
The curriculum is chunked down very well. You learn in lessons (ATB 1, ATB 2 and so on and so forth). At the end of each lesson you take a test between 8 and 20 questions long. It does not count for or against you. It is simply a review. You get to keep the answers as well as your scan-tron sheets with your score and any possible corrections you needed. At the end of a few lessons you take a block test on all the lessons. You have to get a 90%. If you don't get a 90 you take it over. If you don't get it after a few times it gets filed away. After it's all said and done you will take a 100 question final. You must get a 70% to move on.
Things I would reccomend purchasing/bringing include a lanyard (for your badge) and a binder with at least one folder. We did not get a copy of our books instead we got a cd with everything in pdf form. If you have any questions I'll try to answer them.
I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ACTUAL TEST CONTENT.