The basics of API

Just a quick question...is API like another boot camp?

Do you live offbase? Do you still have free time, or are you in class all day and all evening?

Yes API is exactly like bootcamp. You wake up and have a hygiene inspection, then you count off and scream your way to aero class.

Nothing at all like bootcamp; it is a classroom evolution, with a few swim events thrown in (and some classroom survival stuff at the end). I never knew anyone who lived on base when I was in Pcola, just like I know very few fellow officers in any location I have been who live on base. Plenty of free time, assuming you manage your study time well. I remember class running from approx. 7 am until about 2-3 pm.

So if API is only 6 weeks long, then how can anyone get an apartment off-base for that short of time?

You're usually in Pensacola for a wee bit more than six weeks, considering the wait to start API and the fact that many get follow on orders to primary flight training at NAS Pensacola or Whiting Field.

Plus, two words: Military Clause.

That's like The Santa Clause, right?

I get there in late August. They told me I probably won't begin actual API until May 2011. That's like a 12 month lease right there.

That's crazy...

That's reality. API and A-pool is used by CNATRA as the slap tank for the whole Program. I know it sucks and doesn't seem like it now, but it's better to have one long wait before you start than go through flight training in fits and starts. Ask the T-Notch guys.

The real problem is the whole idle hands, devil's workshop thing.

What's T-Notch?

http://armedservices.house.gov/comdocs/testimony/106thcongress/99-03-04oliver.htm

Enjoy the read.

API was a very good experience. Fail 3 Test and your done. On one of the first days of the program one Lt told me that you should study 4-5 hours on the weekday and 8 hrs on the weekend. It was good advice. If you follow this guidance passing is not a problem. You will be a contender for top gun.

I remember this spiel...if you half those hours or even do a third of that, you should get through no problem.
I also remember them saying..."jet guys don't get in the 80s on their exams!"

I listened to their horror stories and studied my ass off for the first aero test, then crushed it. I missed one question that was a stupid question IMO that wound up getting changed later. After that much more slacking off occurred. However, a night of drinking and 20 mins of studying led to an 82 on FRR. Almost an embarrassing mistake.

I was the same way, except it had an opposite effect..I psyched myself out into an 80 on Aero-1 and then figured out the game and did very well on the rest. However, my breast stroke was an abortion so that earned me an extra 2 week stay in API. I side-stroked and "American crawled" my way through the mile swim. I was exhausted.

I can't get over the fact that the name of the user that started this API post is "Crowbar". The irony.

Huh...I just noticed that too for the first time.

First off, relax. No one called you a tool. And that cut about my username being my college graduation year, no that's not what my username is, but good try. I just said I noticed it and it was ironic, you're the one who got defensive about it. No one called you a tool, but some how through my one line post, you implied me calling you a tool and trying to be funny.

I apologize if thats how it came across.....its not like I went home and did a mini investigation about your username and what happened at NASC. I made my post and went on about my day not giving it another thought....much like i'm getting ready to do now with this one.

Ever since Al and Tipper announced their separation, lots of Internet people are distressed...

Some deal with it better than others.

You implied, he inferred.

English people!!

Ha sorry about that. I'm an engineer....i'm not good with the words.

Okay...I get it, a thread about getting through API was started by a guy whose name is crowbar and API tests were recently rewritten due to someone breaking into a safe (presumably with something crowbar-like).

HA HA...HA HA...HA HA