Headed to Laughlin

[Huggyu2]

If you can drop everything and go early, tell AFPC that you want to be put on the "moments notice" list. Then, when someone breaks a leg 1 week prior to UPT, they'll call those folks, and see who can fill the slot at the last minute.

 

[jstock]

Dude, they are giving you the date and location a year out? That sucks.

I'm ROTC commisioning here in early May. Going down early would be pretty sweet, but my calssmate and I got the exact same orders(casual and UPT) so well probably try to keep those together. Plus I haven't flown at all recently so I'll try to spend some time in the T-34 out here before I head down.

 

[prozac]

Alright man, here's the skinny: Del Rio sucks. Anyone who tells you different is either lying, or just hasn't lived. BUT....the friends you make at pilot training will be the best ones you ever make. Just remember one thing....STICK TOGETHER!!!! Help your bros out. Don't worry about the competition thing--the cream usually rises to the top anyways. You'll be glad you helped your buddy out of a tough time when he lends you a hand to pull you out of a rut. More good advice: If you aren't an Academy guy, learn how to study from one. They're used to the Air Force's jacked up method of educating and can teach you a lot! I failed my first EPQ (emergency procedures quiz) miserably, studied with the zoomies the next time around, and never failed another one. Final piece of advice and then I promise I'll get off my soapbox: Enjoy it!!! It's the only time in your career you'll be expected to concentrate on flying and nothing else. I promise you'll think it sucks most of the time, but then you'll look back and realized that it was TRULY the best 13 months of your life.

Take care and good luck!

 

[Huggyu2]

Alright man, here's the skinny: Del Rio sucks. Anyone who tells you different is either lying, or just hasn't lived.

Prozac is wrong on both accounts (I don't lie, and I've lived pretty well). Chances are he's from "the big city", and didn't figure out how to have fun in a small town area. Or he was too busy. Understandable, seeing as a UPT student can be a full time job. Also, he didn't have the advantage I had of getting 4 years to learn the area.
Want to meet gals? Can be done. How about rich ones, or hammers from Sweden? Been there. Lots of tour groups with young Europeans used to come through Del Rio and do Lake Amistad.
Want to water ski? Easy. Bird or small game hunting? Yep. Major sports? San Antonio is 2 hours away. Austin is 4. We'd go hit the UT games. A&M is a bit further, but a great road trip, none the less. Mexico? Great time. A bud and I decided to go there for the day and have all three meals (including Margaritas). We got there in the morning, and got back home late, after dinner, meeting friends, and dancing with a bunch of gals from Uvalde (daughters of some large land owners/ranchers). And, yes, they spoke English.
Rafting down the Rio, GA flying, motorcycles and lots more.

It's all dependant on your attitude.

 

[KCPilot]

I can agree with the posts from prozac and huggyu2. I loved and hated Del Rio! I had my good and bad times like everyone else. Sometimes I wish for the simple UPT times but then I'm real glad it's over!

But one thing that got me through was to party on Fri and Sat night, recoup on Sun. Also when they say chair fly, use Mirosoft Flight Sim and you will have no suprises on your flights especially in instrument procedures!

Enjoy, becasue it will be the worst of times and the best of times!


In A Van By The Rio! 02-05!!

 

[prozac]

With regards to flight sim, check out this site: www.t37sim.com. Great product....wish it was available when I went through. KC, I hear the van is still alive and kickin'....that true?

btw 02-08 if anyone cares (patch was a pilot trying to go in the out--far side spoof)

 

[jstock]

Whats up with the van guys?

Does anyone know if there is a detailed T-6 sim patch available like the one for the t-37?

Also, what were the living arrangements like there?


Thanks again,
js

 

[CobraKai]

Del Rio is not the end of the world but you can see it from here. To say that Del Rio is a great place is a lie but to say it is absolutey the worst is wrong too (Think Clovis, NM). In the 4 years I spent there I was able to see the Spurs, the Rampage (SA AHL Hockey club), the NCAA final 4 (Ok that was a one time deal), and meet plenty of people. Most of the locals are great and there is really none of the baser/townie BS I have seen at other bases. Of the 30,000+ people in the area 10-15 thousand work for the Feds (base, boarder patrol, customs, DEA, FBI, etc.). There is enough to keep you busy when you are there for the weekend, and SA and Austin are an easy drive away. Dallas and Houston are good long weekend trips.

KC pilot check your PMs

 

[CobraKai]

living arangements

If you are single you will be placed in the dorms. They are 1 room with a small kitchen and a bathroom. If you have a bud you are getting to dlf with get on the waiting list for the duplexes, otherwise known as the crackhouses. They have 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchen, dinning room and living room, and a yard. They are great places for the class to hang out at on base too. The offbase policy varies with the commander and how full the dorms/duplexes are. Married students can usually get on base housing.

 

[Vandal]

P.S. Watch out for enlisted chicks. If you see a good looking white chick 18-25 chances are that's what she is...You don't want to spend your last night on base in the enlisted dorms like some people on this forum did...animals.

 

[HangerRat]

Ma Crosby's. . . .Corona Club!!

 

[KCPilot]

I think the van is still around in Las Vegas now. Great party/drunk wagon and good for those ditty moves!

 

[jstock]

I think my buddie and I will have to get a new van going. I've been a professional audio installer for the past 10 yrs so I'll definatly pimpimp: that ride and pass it on.

 

[FastCargo]

No, but we flew together as PIT IP's until he left the USAF. He helped me get involved with Warbirds. Great guy. We stay in touch, and I saw him at Oshkosh in August.

Cool! What's Buck doing now? (Besides being at Oshkosh?) Still with UAL?

FastCargo

 

[FastCargo]

If you can drop everything and go early, tell AFPC that you want to be put on the "moments notice" list. Then, when someone breaks a leg 1 week prior to UPT, they'll call those folks, and see who can fill the slot at the last minute.

This little bit of info let me start UPT at LAFB about 2 months early! Was glad I did too!

Definitely use Fri and Sat to blow off steam. Nothing helps studying more than just taking a real break!

Enjoy the hell out of the lake. When I was an instructor there (after going through PIT having HuggyU2 kicking my a$$) I was at the lake every weekend (sometimes weekdays) boating or jetskiing. REALLY made Del Rio a lot easier to live in (I was a city boy at one time).

Good luck!

FastCargo