Hey man I went through initial back in September. I'm currently in sim training down in CVG. (You'll get to sims much quicker I had a medical issue to deal with before sims). The first week is basic indoc, honestly all you have to do is just pay attention in class and try not to fall asleep. This is my first airline job. The program is geared for us new guys, so as long as you keep the pace you'll be fine. During the first week make sure you just read the FOM chapters that are assigned every night and get all your memory items and limitations down cold. You will need to know all the limitations later in training and if you have to memorize them at that time you'll be behind the curve. After indoc, you move on to systems training. Half the day will be spent with the CBT's and the other half with an instructor. Once again, as long as you keep the pace and gain a basic understanding of the systems and switchology you should be just fine. If you want to get prepared for the upcoming IPT sessions go ahead and familiarize yourself with the flows. They are all found in chapter 4 of the FOM. There is a systems test after a week or so if systems. As long as you took notes when the instructors teaching you should be fine. After that, you go into IPT training. IPT's were very helpful for me as a first time airline guy to get my flows down and to get used to the crew environment. At the completion of two weeks of IPT training is your EOC. My EOC was thorough, but very fair. If you can pass the EOC you will pass your oral. After your EOC, you have one week left in DAY for there more IPT sessions and some oral prep called CSI. It's pretty easy. Gives you a chance to brush up your knowledge and work with other crew members in the IPT. The ground school is a pretty straightforward program, just make sure you keep up with what's being taught and don't worry about what's to come and you'll be fine.
As far as hotels, you'll either be staying at the Fairfield closer to town or the Clarion in the middle of nowhere lol. The Fairfield's nice because you're within walking distance of all kinds of restaurants and a grocery store. I stayed at the Clarion. It's not too bad. Internets kinda slow, but they have a restaurant/bar in the lobby. The also make you a sack lunch everyday. The offer shuttle service as needed. You can even get the shuttle driver to take you to the Meiers across the road (kinda like a publix for us southerner that are unfamiliar). The shuttle driver will also take you to restaurants close by if they're not too busy. There a BWW, Mexican restaurant, skyline chili, steak and shake, and a few other places close by. As far as the weekends go, you can get a rental car for the weekend pretty cheap. Id recommend hitting up the Air Force museum, presidential hangar, huffman's praire (home of the wright brothers first hangar), and there are also some cooler museums downtown. Try to take sometime to relax on the weekend. Just take it as it comes and don't worry about comparing yourself to the other guys in your class. There are a lot of previous airline guys through here currently and they already know all about the airplane, atleast that's what they say. So don't worry about them. Just make sure you feel comfortable with your progress and learning the information and you'll be fine. PM me if you have anymore questions. Hopefully his helped.
