Typical day at OKC?

codwell · March 29th, 2008, 23:02

Can anyone at OKC explain how there typical day goes. Also how the weekends are? Thank you!

ATC RET 2003 · March 30th, 2008, 07:57

A typical day in OKC goes like this:

The wind will blow incessantly.

Weekends are the same.

Sorry... I couldn't resist.

There are some folks on this forum that have been recently and some out there now. I'm sure someone will give you a real answer to your question soon.

queeno · March 30th, 2008, 08:03

you forgot about the RED durt that rains out of the sky,thats lovely,oh and the GODLESS TORNADOs also.

Fox Xray · March 30th, 2008, 10:53

I was just talking about OKC with one of the new hires, asking what places are still there (Red Dog) ... LOL.

The wind ! There seemed to be a permanent 35 mph wind in OKC.

I was there during the winter so it was long, cold, and boring... the weekends were long. You make friends fast so we would pass the weekends by catching movies, playing cards... drinking. During the week class takes up the majority of the day, I remember class covering a lot of ground each day and when we were running problems you were pretty shot by the end of each day.

OKC was unlike anything I remember, it was like the game sim city had gone terribly wrong. Roads crossed all over the place, there were railroad tracks that seemed to go nowhere, buildings in weird spots.

I remember the people were very friendly, they all knew why you were there and were happy to have you spend your per diem at their shops.

whysoserial · March 30th, 2008, 12:24

I'm here right now.

Class days are what you would expect. 7:00am - 3:30pm or 3:30pm - 12:00am (as of now, 3rd shift coming soon for tower training). Breaks every 45-60 minutes. Enough time for lunch. Nothing special about going to class. You get off, usually go back to your 5 star establishment and waste the day away so you can do it again tomorrow knowing that you are one day closer to getting the frick out of there.

Bring 3 different wardrobes wherever you go. When it's 70 degrees outside and you are sporting a short sleeve shirt, 10 minutes later it'll be 20 with freezing rain. I'm only 30% kidding. When the wind is under 40kt, it's considered calm. Walk between two buildings and you just found an 80kt wind tunnel, enjoy.

Weekends can be fun. If you got a cool class, you'll go out and bond. When you go out and see half of the people that you see everyday at the academy, you know just how many options there really are out there to go.

Every Saturday at 12pm there will be a tornado

For me, it's been an experience. I'll always remember my time here and the people I've met. I'll especially remember it when I have to come back for radar training sometime in the future

ajcowing · March 30th, 2008, 12:32

I'm a female, and am currently waiting for my final offer. Are there currently quite a few other women, in OKC, going through the academy? Or are women the minority there? I'm hoping that there will be at least a couple of others, when I go, so that we could possibly share an apartment, and save as much of our per diem, as possible. Thanks.

JKoffler44 · March 30th, 2008, 12:37

Is it recommended to get a roommate, and is it recommended to stay at one of the hotels, or an apartment?

whysoserial · March 30th, 2008, 12:52

There are quite a few women out here. There's 5 in my class and they tend to stick together if ya know what I mean. Outside of class, you can't really tell the difference, it all seems even.

If you are into the roommate thing, go for it. You'll save some money for sure. I would get a 2 bedroom apartment that is relatively cheap. Haven't dealt with the hotels.

SoonerATC · March 30th, 2008, 13:02

This is making me laugh. I've lived in Oklahoma for almost 20 years, with the exception of 2 years spent overseas in the military. One of the toughest jobs here has to be the local tv meteorologist.

I love it though and wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

whysoserial · March 30th, 2008, 13:35

Heh, yeah...I enjoy weather so while it sucks coming from California, I get a kick out of it. When we had a tornado warning 3 weeks ago or so I was impressed with the coverage on tv. Street by street tracking, good stuff.

SQuirell88 · April 7th, 2008, 12:00

Can anyone that has been through OKC tell me if you are allowed a weekend to go home? I heard you work on weekends while in the academy correct? If so can a person reserve a weekend to be off? Or is it the mentality at the academy that it takes an act of God to get away from there?

I have a buddy that wants me to be his best man for his wedding in October, but I'm projecting that I could be in OKC around that time (at least I hope I will be). I have no idea what to tell him. He needs to know soon if I can commit to it.

Also, my only sister gets married on Dec. 13th so I'm really hoping to get an aswer to this question in case I'm stuck in this holding pattern even longer.

whysoserial · April 7th, 2008, 17:27

Weekends are off days. You can travel wherever you want at your expense. Just make sure you get yourself back for Monday.

There are plenty of people in my class that go home on the weekends.

Redz245 · April 7th, 2008, 19:19

Hey -
To whysoserious or anyone else who can answer:

When did you apply, take the AT-SAT, do your PEPC, receive an offer and report to training? Just trying to get some perspective on the timeline. You are in Oklahoma now, do you know where you're going to be permanately (after you finish training)?

whysoserial · April 7th, 2008, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redz245

Hey -
To whysoserious or anyone else who can answer:

When did you apply, take the AT-SAT, do your PEPC, receive an offer and report to training? Just trying to get some perspective on the timeline. You are in Oklahoma now, do you know where you're going to be permanately (after you finish training)?

I applied April '07. Took ATSAT in September. Didn't do PEPC. Did it the old fashioned way. Got tentative in December, got firm in January. Started OKC in February. You get your facility with your tentative offer so you will know where you are going.

ATLTRACON · April 7th, 2008, 20:11

I remember the day I got my "diploma" after 16 weeks, lots of washouts and two deaths like it was yesterday.

It was the most proud (in individual achievement terms) that I have ever been. 'Course nowadays it's not pass fail anymore and there isn't the pressure that we had.

You will always remember these days.

Redz245 · April 7th, 2008, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by whysoserial

I applied April '07. Took ATSAT in September. Didn't do PEPC. Did it the old fashioned way. Got tentative in December, got firm in January. Started OKC in February. You get your facility with your tentative offer so you will know where you are going.

This may be a stupid question, but what do you mean by, "did it the old fashion way?" Does that mean you went to school for this or have a military background? And did you get assigned to the facility that you wanted/requested?

whysoserial · April 7th, 2008, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redz245

This may be a stupid question, but what do you mean by, "did it the old fashion way?" Does that mean you went to school for this or have a military background? And did you get assigned to the facility that you wanted/requested?

Well, nothing old fashioned about it, just the non-pepc way.

I had to schedule everything on my own and complete each step on my own. There wasn't an option to do it all in one shot (PEPC). It only took a week to finish everything but ya know.

I applied for a bunch of facilities in my state...I didn't get the one I would have chosen if I had a choice but I'm more than happy with the one I got.

Redz245 · April 7th, 2008, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by whysoserial

Well, nothing old fashioned about it, just the non-pepc way.

I had to schedule everything on my own and complete each step on my own. There wasn't an option to do it all in one shot (PEPC). It only took a week to finish everything but ya know.

I applied for a bunch of facilities in my state...I didn't get the one I would have chosen if I had a choice but I'm more than happy with the one I got.

Thanks for being patient with all my questions. I know I don't take the AT-SAT until this Thursday, and then, I'll most likely have to wait another few months if i pass, but, i'm excited!

whysoserial · April 7th, 2008, 21:15

Good luck.

JKoffler44 · April 7th, 2008, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLTRACON

'Course nowadays it's not pass fail anymore.

What do you mean by this? Is it set up in a letter grade format now?

kenie311 · April 8th, 2008, 09:16

Its not pass or fail anymore.

queeno · April 8th, 2008, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenie311

Its not pass or fail anymore.

well they say its pass fail but 95% seem to be passing, 24 years ago when i went through 50 to 60 % failed, and you folke are no smarter than we were this is tha FFAs scam to make it look good, most will wash out in the field.the FFA is using the field facilites to screen people now and its plain wrong.the OKC may not have been fair but it did weed out the weaklings.use to be passing OKC was somthing to be proud of, not any more.thay are just moving wigets.

queeno · April 8th, 2008, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLTRACON

I remember the day I got my "diploma" after 16 weeks, lots of washouts and two deaths like it was yesterday.

It was the most proud (in individual achievement terms) that I have ever been. 'Course nowadays it's not pass fail anymore and there isn't the pressure that we had.

You will always remember these days.

agreed ,that was the proudest day of my life when i got MY diploma. my class started with 155, only 57 made it.

ajcowing · April 8th, 2008, 11:27

Any recommendations for lodging in OKC? I'm debating on rather or not to stay in a hotel (so that I don't have to mess with paying utilities, and breakfast is included in the price), to stay in a furnished apartment, or to find a home for rent (off of craigslist.com) and rent some furniture. I'm going to be driving my car there, so the FAA transportation won't be a factor in my decision. Also, is it more economical to stay in a town outside of OKC or should I stick to the area immediately around the airport. I would ideally like to find someplace to stay that's clean, economically priced, has a pool, and has fitness equipment. Does anyone have any recommendations?

whysoserial · April 8th, 2008, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcowing

Any recommendations for lodging in OKC? I'm debating on rather or not to stay in a hotel (so that I don't have to mess with paying utilities, and breakfast is included in the price), to stay in a furnished apartment, or to find a home for rent (off of craigslist.com) and rent some furniture. I'm going to be driving my car there, so the FAA transportation won't be a factor in my decision. Also, is it more economical to stay in a town outside of OKC or should I stick to the area immediately around the airport. I would ideally like to find someplace to stay that's clean, economically priced, has a pool, and has fitness equipment. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Why not just stay in one of the FAA places? You pay anywhere from 20 something to 40 something a day depending on if you have a roommate or just how nice the place is. Sure, when you figure you are paying a grand for a place in Oklahoma, it makes you want to cry but it's just temporary and it's nice to come back from class and not be miserable. I'm in a decent place...I wouldn't want to live here but for the time being it's fine. Has everything you need besides crap you get from the super mega duper walmart. The ones that rented a room from a stranger have moved out due to personal reasons, not the best situation but I guess it is cheaper. Just depends on what you like.