Academy Tour

texflyguy · January 26th, 2005, 00:17

Has anybody here done the free tour of the academy? what do they cover and how long does it last? would I also need to buy a hotel room or is it a 1 day thing? and last can my two friends come with me on the same plane since we are all interested in going.

mavsfflife · January 26th, 2005, 01:28

i posted a reply to this under general topics..check your post in that..

flyguy · January 31st, 2005, 03:05

If they are still doing the same tour they did back when they were Comair Academy, its a day long ordeal. They fly you out the day before, put you up in a room, and provide your ground transportation, and fly you back that evening, all for $100. You have to show up for the tour to get your return ticket. Free lunch on the tour too. They show you a propganda video, show you the facilities, the sims, student housing, financial aid, and at least with our group, they show you pretty much everything but the aircraft.

montanapilot · January 31st, 2005, 03:25

you don't even get to see the planes

unbelievable

FO_SHIZZLE · January 31st, 2005, 06:58

[ QUOTE ]
If they are still doing the same tour they did back when they were Comair Academy, its a day long ordeal. They fly you out the day before, put you up in a room, and provide your ground transportation, and fly you back that evening, all for $100. You have to show up for the tour to get your return ticket. Free lunch on the tour too. They show you a propganda video, show you the facilities, the sims, student housing, financial aid, and at least with our group, they show you pretty much everything but the aircraft.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure why you didn't get to see the planes. I took a tour back then and got to see the aircraft. Well I got to see the 152's, 172's, and PA-44's anyway, the 172RG's then and the Arrow's now are not exactly close to the Ops building. I see tour groups out on the ramp all the time looking at the planes. Was it during the ramp resurfacing or was it raining or anything?

gtpilot · January 31st, 2005, 08:24

[ QUOTE ]
you don't even get to see the planes

unbelievable

[/ QUOTE ]

They're not that bad!

Last I checked, the only times no one could see the planes, a hurricane was comming.

mavsfflife · January 31st, 2005, 10:51

[ QUOTE ]
If they are still doing the same tour they did back when they were Comair Academy, its a day long ordeal. They fly you out the day before, put you up in a room, and provide your ground transportation, and fly you back that evening, all for $100. You have to show up for the tour to get your return ticket. Free lunch on the tour too. They show you a propganda video, show you the facilities, the sims, student housing, financial aid, and at least with our group, they show you pretty much everything but the aircraft.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got to check out the aircraft as well, thats really weird they didnt show you them. I'd think the aircraft are one of the main things everyone wants to see.

flyguy · January 31st, 2005, 16:08

Yeah, I don't know. They didn't seem to want to let us out on the ramp that day. The only thing I can think was that it was shortly after 9/11 and they might have been having security issues.

dpewing · February 1st, 2005, 12:24

[ QUOTE ]
If they are still doing the same tour they did back when they were Comair Academy, its a day long ordeal. They fly you out the day before, put you up in a room, and provide your ground transportation, and fly you back that evening, all for $100. You have to show up for the tour to get your return ticket. Free lunch on the tour too. They show you a propganda video, show you the facilities, the sims, student housing, financial aid, and at least with our group, they show you pretty much everything but the aircraft.

[/ QUOTE ]

The free lunch was all the hot dogs and chips you could eat at the housing office. ROFLMAO

LAX_Airport · February 8th, 2005, 03:06

I went out to DCA a few years back. I couldn't see inside the planes either. They said it was against their policy...
"What are you guys hiding?" Would you rent a car without checking it out first? Just my opinion.

H46Bubba · February 8th, 2005, 10:01

DCA isn't hiding a thing. The planes are kept in tip top shape. I got to see the aircraft both times I toured the campus in 1999 and in 2002. It really actually depends on who gives the tour and how big the tour group is. The bigger the group the less time their is to see stuff, due to having to let everyone get a turn in the sims, answering questions, and shuffling the group along. It's actually better when you come and do a one on one with you admissions person. You have more time to ask qustions and see more stuff.

flyguy · February 9th, 2005, 05:53

Well, maybe they should prioritize then. I'm sure a large group would rather see the planes than fly the sim. And heaven forbid they should forgo the propganda videos.

gtpilot · February 9th, 2005, 10:37

Personally, at zero hours, I prefered to fly the sim. A Cessna interior doesn't change too much but the sim was actually flying!

flyguy · February 9th, 2005, 16:48

You're probably going to spend about 20 times more time and about 40 times more money in the planes than in the sims and that's what you're more interrested in seeing when you tour the school? Okay, whatever floats your boat.

IndianaPilot · February 9th, 2005, 18:33

Hey Clayjpilot....my academy tour is next tuesday. When i get back i'll make sure to let you know how things went and what happens. Wish me luck !!

gtpilot · February 9th, 2005, 19:14

Dude, you've got to relax! I'm just saying that most folks with no time are going to enjoy hands on experience a little more than show and tell. Sorry for rocking the boat!

montanapilot · February 9th, 2005, 21:29

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Clayjpilot....my academy tour is next tuesday. When i get back i'll make sure to let you know how things went and what happens. Wish me luck !!

[/ QUOTE ]

prepare to be bullshatted!

dpewing · February 10th, 2005, 11:24

Go visit the Army Recruiting Office first, then you'll have a better idea of what to expect.

IndianaPilot · February 10th, 2005, 18:17

Yep I'll see what happens....I'll let you guys know all about it when i get back.

flyguy · February 10th, 2005, 20:43

[ QUOTE ]
Dude, you've got to relax! I'm just saying that most folks with no time are going to enjoy hands on experience a little more than show and tell. Sorry for rocking the boat!

[/ QUOTE ]
So, the purpose of the tour is entertainment? I thought it was for people to evaluate a potential investment. Would you go to a car dealership and be sold on a car they were selling if they didn't let you see the car, but did let you play Grand Turismo for 2 minutes?

gtpilot · February 10th, 2005, 21:56

[ QUOTE ]
So, the purpose of the tour is entertainment? I thought it was for people to evaluate a potential investment. Would you go to a car dealership and be sold on a car they were selling if they didn't let you see the car, but did let you play Grand Turismo for 2 minutes?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, really not sure why you're so intent on this so I'll respond and leave you be.

I'm not endorsing DCA, however, those FRASCA FTDs that you're compairing to a Play Station can be used for logging instrument approaches and provide a very nice (nonmotion) simulation of flight. Given the choice between looking at an aircraft and gaining flight experience (however limited), I would choose to use the FTD.

That said, in the year or so I was at DCA, I constantly saw groups looking at and into the planes on the flight line unless it was raining or hurricanes were coming. And, with all of my reservations about DCA, their maintenance program is top notch so seeing the aircraft wasn't as much a concern.

Just my 2 cents!

Regards,
Marc

flyguy · February 10th, 2005, 23:51

Like I said, whatever floats your boat. But I think you are in the minority. The planes should be the main event of the tour. You say having some fun in the sim is more important that show and tell, but the entire purpose of the tour is show and tell. All I'm saying is that their tour is a very elaborate production. When they go to the trouble of showing us all that they do, and don't even mention going out on the ramp, it kind of makes one wonder if they have something to hide. That may not be the case, but that's what it looks like to an outsider. If most tours do get to see the planes, that's great. That's the way it should be. But when I took the tour it was a bright and sunny day, and I'd hate to think the only reason I didn't get to see the planes is because there were a lot of people in my group and the admin people thought it was more important that we each got to fly a Frasca for 2 minutes. If they'd have let us each backseat on a flight, or better yet let us fly with an instructor for 20 min or so, that would have made a huge impression, and would have let me get an idea what its like to train there. But they should have at least let us see the planes, or at least given us a very good reason why they can't. They didn't even mention it.

H46Bubba · February 11th, 2005, 01:07

Hey now! Lets not get into a pissing match over seeing a bunch of airplanes! So the guy didn't get to see the airplanes on his tour. I'm sorry that whoever gave the tour didn't let him see the aircraft. Because of that it cost DCA a possible student. Water under the bridge. Flyguy is at Sierra and is happy with the choice he made The mistake is truely schools fault.

yankee_one · February 11th, 2005, 10:29

Most all of the time, we take everyone out to see the aircraft. Even on days with inclement weather, people still have the choice to go out on the ramp and see the Aircraft. Nearly all of the time, they decline the offer if its raining.
Now sometimes we are rushed due to the fact that someone on the tour has to catch an early flight and we need to move the entire tour and a faster pace to accomodate that persons flight, but still we make it a point to show that aircraft.Now sometimes I only show one or two of them vs. the whole fleet, but I also tell the tour that if they want to see any others, just ask there admissions officer who will be more than happy to take them back out to see the planes. Heck, we enjoy going out there, we get out of the office for a bit, get some fresh air (well as fresh as it can be on a ramp) and get to watch the commercial airliners coming in and out as well. I find it very hard to believe that on a "bright and sunny day" you were not permitted to see the aircraft, nor be given a reason why. Did you ask why you weren't being permitted to see the aircraft? If it was as importent to you as your making it out to be, why wouldn't you have asked such a simple question? That really baffles me to no end. Like if I went to this car dealership and was told to play Grand Turismo for two minutes in lieu of a test drive, I think, call me crazy, but I just possibly might ask why I wasn't being permitted to go on a test drive. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

flyguy · February 11th, 2005, 20:52

Well, to be perfectly honest, Comair was the first school I toured and had no idea what to expect of an academy tour. I left feeling very impressed with the school, but at the same time puzzled as to why I was not given a chance to see the planes. I assumed there was a good reason. I began to really wonder about why I could not see the planes after touring a few more schools and getting to see the planes at all of them, and even getting a chance to backseat on a student's flight at one. I also saw that Comair went way over the top with the tour. No other school put nearly that much effort into trying to convince me that I should train there, and like I said, I figured if they put that much effort into showing the place off and didn't let us see the planes they might have something to hide. I also started to wonder why they felt the need to put that much effort into getting us in the door. It was also after touring other schools that I realized how pushy Comair was.

Now this was a couple years ago, and I don't assume nothing has changed since then. If they are showing the aircraft, that's great, but I assure you it was a bright and sunny day when I went, and there was no mention of going to the ramp.

Actually yankee_one, now that you bring it up, I might have asked to see the planes if it wasn't for the fact that by the time I was done with an entire day of propoganda, I did have a flight to catch. If I'd have realized they were not going to be able to show the planes on the tour, and that there would be no time left at the end of the day, I'd have probably asked to see them instead of flying the sim and twiddling my thumbs for half and hour while everyone else took a turn. Instead what happened was I went with what they were showing us, the whole time thinking the planes were comming up later, and all of a sudden the tour's over and I'm running late for my flight. Hope that clears up your confussion a little.

January 26th, 2005, 00:17	#1
texflyguy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 100	Academy Tour Has anybody here done the free tour of the academy? what do they cover and how long does it last? would I also need to buy a hotel room or is it a 1 day thing? and last can my two friends come with me on the same plane since we are all interested in going.

January 26th, 2005, 01:28	#2
mavsfflife Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 283	Re: Academy Tour i posted a reply to this under general topics..check your post in that..

January 31st, 2005, 03:05	#3
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,094	Re: Academy Tour If they are still doing the same tour they did back when they were Comair Academy, its a day long ordeal. They fly you out the day before, put you up in a room, and provide your ground transportation, and fly you back that evening, all for $100. You have to show up for the tour to get your return ticket. Free lunch on the tour too. They show you a propganda video, show you the facilities, the sims, student housing, financial aid, and at least with our group, they show you pretty much everything but the aircraft.

January 31st, 2005, 03:25	#4
montanapilot Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Portland, Orygun Posts: 1,643	Re: Academy Tour you don't even get to see the planes unbelievable

January 31st, 2005, 06:58	#5
FO_SHIZZLE Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: CLT Posts: 198	Re: Academy Tour [ QUOTE ] If they are still doing the same tour they did back when they were Comair Academy, its a day long ordeal. They fly you out the day before, put you up in a room, and provide your ground transportation, and fly you back that evening, all for $100. You have to show up for the tour to get your return ticket. Free lunch on the tour too. They show you a propganda video, show you the facilities, the sims, student housing, financial aid, and at least with our group, they show you pretty much everything but the aircraft. [/ QUOTE ] Not sure why you didn't get to see the planes. I took a tour back then and got to see the aircraft. Well I got to see the 152's, 172's, and PA-44's anyway, the 172RG's then and the Arrow's now are not exactly close to the Ops building. I see tour groups out on the ramp all the time looking at the planes. Was it during the ramp resurfacing or was it raining or anything?

January 31st, 2005, 08:24	#6
gtpilot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: GA Posts: 482	Re: Academy Tour [ QUOTE ] you don't even get to see the planes unbelievable [/ QUOTE ] They're not that bad! Last I checked, the only times no one could see the planes, a hurricane was comming.

January 31st, 2005, 10:51	#7
mavsfflife Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 283	Re: Academy Tour [ QUOTE ] If they are still doing the same tour they did back when they were Comair Academy, its a day long ordeal. They fly you out the day before, put you up in a room, and provide your ground transportation, and fly you back that evening, all for $100. You have to show up for the tour to get your return ticket. Free lunch on the tour too. They show you a propganda video, show you the facilities, the sims, student housing, financial aid, and at least with our group, they show you pretty much everything but the aircraft. [/ QUOTE ] I got to check out the aircraft as well, thats really weird they didnt show you them. I'd think the aircraft are one of the main things everyone wants to see.

January 31st, 2005, 16:08	#8
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,094	Re: Academy Tour Yeah, I don't know. They didn't seem to want to let us out on the ramp that day. The only thing I can think was that it was shortly after 9/11 and they might have been having security issues.

February 1st, 2005, 12:24	#9
dpewing Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 31	Re: Academy Tour [ QUOTE ] If they are still doing the same tour they did back when they were Comair Academy, its a day long ordeal. They fly you out the day before, put you up in a room, and provide your ground transportation, and fly you back that evening, all for $100. You have to show up for the tour to get your return ticket. Free lunch on the tour too. They show you a propganda video, show you the facilities, the sims, student housing, financial aid, and at least with our group, they show you pretty much everything but the aircraft. [/ QUOTE ] The free lunch was all the hot dogs and chips you could eat at the housing office. ROFLMAO

February 8th, 2005, 03:06	#10
LAX_Airport Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 76	Re: Academy Tour I went out to DCA a few years back. I couldn't see inside the planes either. They said it was against their policy... "What are you guys hiding?" Would you rent a car without checking it out first? Just my opinion.

February 8th, 2005, 10:01	#11
H46Bubba Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: CVG Posts: 4,465	Re: Academy Tour DCA isn't hiding a thing. The planes are kept in tip top shape. I got to see the aircraft both times I toured the campus in 1999 and in 2002. It really actually depends on who gives the tour and how big the tour group is. The bigger the group the less time their is to see stuff, due to having to let everyone get a turn in the sims, answering questions, and shuffling the group along. It's actually better when you come and do a one on one with you admissions person. You have more time to ask qustions and see more stuff.

February 9th, 2005, 05:53	#12
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,094	Re: Academy Tour Well, maybe they should prioritize then. I'm sure a large group would rather see the planes than fly the sim. And heaven forbid they should forgo the propganda videos.

February 9th, 2005, 10:37	#13
gtpilot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: GA Posts: 482	Re: Academy Tour Personally, at zero hours, I prefered to fly the sim. A Cessna interior doesn't change too much but the sim was actually flying!

February 9th, 2005, 16:48	#14
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,094	Re: Academy Tour You're probably going to spend about 20 times more time and about 40 times more money in the planes than in the sims and that's what you're more interrested in seeing when you tour the school? Okay, whatever floats your boat.

February 9th, 2005, 18:33	#15
IndianaPilot Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 423	Re: Academy Tour Hey Clayjpilot....my academy tour is next tuesday. When i get back i'll make sure to let you know how things went and what happens. Wish me luck !!

February 9th, 2005, 19:14	#16
gtpilot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: GA Posts: 482	Re: Academy Tour Dude, you've got to relax! I'm just saying that most folks with no time are going to enjoy hands on experience a little more than show and tell. Sorry for rocking the boat!

February 9th, 2005, 21:29	#17
montanapilot Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Portland, Orygun Posts: 1,643	Re: Academy Tour [ QUOTE ] Hey Clayjpilot....my academy tour is next tuesday. When i get back i'll make sure to let you know how things went and what happens. Wish me luck !! [/ QUOTE ] prepare to be bullshatted!

February 10th, 2005, 11:24	#18
dpewing Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 31	Re: Academy Tour Go visit the Army Recruiting Office first, then you'll have a better idea of what to expect.

February 10th, 2005, 18:17	#19
IndianaPilot Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 423	Re: Academy Tour Yep I'll see what happens....I'll let you guys know all about it when i get back.

February 10th, 2005, 20:43	#20
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,094	Re: Academy Tour [ QUOTE ] Dude, you've got to relax! I'm just saying that most folks with no time are going to enjoy hands on experience a little more than show and tell. Sorry for rocking the boat! [/ QUOTE ] So, the purpose of the tour is entertainment? I thought it was for people to evaluate a potential investment. Would you go to a car dealership and be sold on a car they were selling if they didn't let you see the car, but did let you play Grand Turismo for 2 minutes?

February 10th, 2005, 21:56	#21
gtpilot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: GA Posts: 482	Re: Academy Tour [ QUOTE ] So, the purpose of the tour is entertainment? I thought it was for people to evaluate a potential investment. Would you go to a car dealership and be sold on a car they were selling if they didn't let you see the car, but did let you play Grand Turismo for 2 minutes? [/ QUOTE ] Ok, really not sure why you're so intent on this so I'll respond and leave you be. I'm not endorsing DCA, however, those FRASCA FTDs that you're compairing to a Play Station can be used for logging instrument approaches and provide a very nice (nonmotion) simulation of flight. Given the choice between looking at an aircraft and gaining flight experience (however limited), I would choose to use the FTD. That said, in the year or so I was at DCA, I constantly saw groups looking at and into the planes on the flight line unless it was raining or hurricanes were coming. And, with all of my reservations about DCA, their maintenance program is top notch so seeing the aircraft wasn't as much a concern. Just my 2 cents! Regards, Marc

February 10th, 2005, 23:51	#22
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,094	Re: Academy Tour Like I said, whatever floats your boat. But I think you are in the minority. The planes should be the main event of the tour. You say having some fun in the sim is more important that show and tell, but the entire purpose of the tour is show and tell. All I'm saying is that their tour is a very elaborate production. When they go to the trouble of showing us all that they do, and don't even mention going out on the ramp, it kind of makes one wonder if they have something to hide. That may not be the case, but that's what it looks like to an outsider. If most tours do get to see the planes, that's great. That's the way it should be. But when I took the tour it was a bright and sunny day, and I'd hate to think the only reason I didn't get to see the planes is because there were a lot of people in my group and the admin people thought it was more important that we each got to fly a Frasca for 2 minutes. If they'd have let us each backseat on a flight, or better yet let us fly with an instructor for 20 min or so, that would have made a huge impression, and would have let me get an idea what its like to train there. But they should have at least let us see the planes, or at least given us a very good reason why they can't. They didn't even mention it.

February 11th, 2005, 01:07	#23
H46Bubba Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: CVG Posts: 4,465	Re: Academy Tour Hey now! Lets not get into a pissing match over seeing a bunch of airplanes! So the guy didn't get to see the airplanes on his tour. I'm sorry that whoever gave the tour didn't let him see the aircraft. Because of that it cost DCA a possible student. Water under the bridge. Flyguy is at Sierra and is happy with the choice he made The mistake is truely schools fault.

February 11th, 2005, 10:29	#24
yankee_one Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Deltona, Florida Posts: 286	Re: Academy Tour Most all of the time, we take everyone out to see the aircraft. Even on days with inclement weather, people still have the choice to go out on the ramp and see the Aircraft. Nearly all of the time, they decline the offer if its raining. Now sometimes we are rushed due to the fact that someone on the tour has to catch an early flight and we need to move the entire tour and a faster pace to accomodate that persons flight, but still we make it a point to show that aircraft.Now sometimes I only show one or two of them vs. the whole fleet, but I also tell the tour that if they want to see any others, just ask there admissions officer who will be more than happy to take them back out to see the planes. Heck, we enjoy going out there, we get out of the office for a bit, get some fresh air (well as fresh as it can be on a ramp) and get to watch the commercial airliners coming in and out as well. I find it very hard to believe that on a "bright and sunny day" you were not permitted to see the aircraft, nor be given a reason why. Did you ask why you weren't being permitted to see the aircraft? If it was as importent to you as your making it out to be, why wouldn't you have asked such a simple question? That really baffles me to no end. Like if I went to this car dealership and was told to play Grand Turismo for two minutes in lieu of a test drive, I think, call me crazy, but I just possibly might ask why I wasn't being permitted to go on a test drive. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

February 11th, 2005, 20:52	#25
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,094	Re: Academy Tour Well, to be perfectly honest, Comair was the first school I toured and had no idea what to expect of an academy tour. I left feeling very impressed with the school, but at the same time puzzled as to why I was not given a chance to see the planes. I assumed there was a good reason. I began to really wonder about why I could not see the planes after touring a few more schools and getting to see the planes at all of them, and even getting a chance to backseat on a student's flight at one. I also saw that Comair went way over the top with the tour. No other school put nearly that much effort into trying to convince me that I should train there, and like I said, I figured if they put that much effort into showing the place off and didn't let us see the planes they might have something to hide. I also started to wonder why they felt the need to put that much effort into getting us in the door. It was also after touring other schools that I realized how pushy Comair was. Now this was a couple years ago, and I don't assume nothing has changed since then. If they are showing the aircraft, that's great, but I assure you it was a bright and sunny day when I went, and there was no mention of going to the ramp. Actually yankee_one, now that you bring it up, I might have asked to see the planes if it wasn't for the fact that by the time I was done with an entire day of propoganda, I did have a flight to catch. If I'd have realized they were not going to be able to show the planes on the tour, and that there would be no time left at the end of the day, I'd have probably asked to see them instead of flying the sim and twiddling my thumbs for half and hour while everyone else took a turn. Instead what happened was I went with what they were showing us, the whole time thinking the planes were comming up later, and all of a sudden the tour's over and I'm running late for my flight. Hope that clears up your confussion a little.

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