FAA SCHOOL

Here is a picture of the classroom. Class starts at 7:00 am. I've been trying to get up at 4:30 so I can ride the bike before class. Needless to say, I've started drinking coffee again. There are 16 people in the class. Can you guess where I sit? Hmmm? Kyle. Alpha personality. I was the first one in the door on the first day. Where would I choose to sit? Thats right - Front row center. Second from the right on the inside row. It's good and bad. I can see all of the overheads and presentations better than everyone else. But, I also can't exactly fall asleep (as I've been close to doing) in front of everyone.

The "campus" is the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. Mike Monroney was apparently a state senator that was very influental in the aviation industry. No one really talks about him around campus. The campus really feels like a military base, without the military. I tried to take some pictures of some buildings outside, but, they are so plain and boxy (just like on base), that I didn't bother. Plus, I felt kind of akward walking around taking pictures of the buildings. In the post-911 world, that kind of stuff gets you pulled aside and questioned really quick.

Anyway, on the first day, they made everyone stand up and raise their right hands and take an oath to protect the constitution, uphold the values of federal employees, blah blah blah. It was kind of cheesy, but, at the same time, it was kind of cool. The instructors really played it up that we were all joining a very exclusive club, and our oath is a rite of passage.

This is a radar outside the classroom. The round portion is actually a primary radar (it reflects anything back), while the straight bar on top is secondary radar (it sends/receives a signal from a specific target). Its huge, and it spins constantly. As you can see, the buildings are classic 70's military deco. Its kind of odd, because there are no MPs around, as it's not a military base, but, you still have the feeling like you need to be very careful. They have the posted speeds like 15 mph like on a base. They have local security guards that are contractors. I'm not sure what kind of trouble you get in if you break any laws on campus. I'm not really trying to find out anyway.

Here is what we do on break. These are some of my classmates. We sit on a bench. Trust me, it's just as much fun as it sounds. We get a 10-15 minute break every hour. Yes, every hour. Sweet! How did I score this deal? Its really funny. I see so many parallels between FAA and BIA now. Really just "government" work in general. You should see when we don't get our breaks on the hour. People start getting bitchy! "Oh HELL no! I better gets my break!" "What is this shit?!" Some people are smokers, and they start jonesing for a hit like clockwork. Usually I try to get to the bathroom and splash some water on my face to wake up.

The worst are end of the week tests. Everyone comes out in the morning and starts comparing what the correct answers were. Then you just have to sit in misery while they grade the test. The funniest thing is taking the end of lesson tests (Each weekly test is comprised of 5-6 lessons). When you take an end-of-lesson test, you use the old green bubble scantron sheets that you used in grade school. However, when you are done, you actually go up to the grading machine in the front of class and run your test through and it is graded right there. The funny part is that if you miss an answer, it stamps the answer on your test, with a loud CLACK! Sometimes, when someone has done really bad on a test, it sounds like a machine gun. CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK. It's like the "walk of shame" to and from the grading machine. No one wants to go first, either. They don't want to grade their test in quiet room. Usually, I'm first to grade, because, I don't give a shit.

This is the first time it really hit me the seriousness of the tornadoes around here. These signs are posted everywhere. I'm not sure if there is any food or anything down there, but, essentially, when they tell you to, you grab your stuff, head down to the basement, and pray.

This is the sign on the second floor. If you are in a wheelchair during a hurricane, you are shit-outta-luck. You park your ass in a little nook in the stairwell. And according to the sign, if there is a major fire raging in the building, DO NOT BLOCK THE STAIRS, the able-bodied need to get through, you crippled son of a bitch!

Finally, the Aeronautical center is connected to the Will Rogers Airport. It's just to the southwest, and it buts right up agains the airport. I drive in from the south entrance, and every day before and after work, I would drive by this building. It's pretty heavily guarded, with thick black gates. It says, "Federal Transfer Service." I asked what it is. You know what they said? It's CON AIR! That's right. When the Federal Marshals fly convicts across the country, they stop here and fuel up! Where is Cyrus the Virus and Johnny 12? I was REALLY nervous about snapping this picture. It actually came out good, seeing as how I was driving and shooting at the same time. I kept waiting for U.S. Marshals to come tear-ass down the road to pull me over and confiscate my camera.

That's where I work...