Nov 14!!!

[Nellie]

Congratulations RQP!

I'm all set. I've gone through all my paperwork and found like 4 different lists of what to bring. Each list is similar, but with some variations. I've got everything in the suitcase, still packaged up. I need to get new tires and brakes put on my car this Friday: I have 96K miles on that Hyundai and the original tires (still no bald spots) and brakes are still holding in there.

The list of items says to bring an overcoat. There is no asterisk next to the item, indicating it can't be bought in the PX. Is there a certain kind of overcoat I need, or will my cold-weather jacket be fine?

Any suggestions on a watch? I have a basic KMART cheapie brand Coleman watch that my cousin gave me a few years ago that still works. I've been using that.

The list also said to bring "warn inderwear." I'm assuming they mean "warm" not "warn." Am I assuming right, or am I missing something?

The documentation warned NOT to show up before 7AM, but would it be OK to park in the lot before then?

[ResQ]

Like I was warned about ...I got a late notice acceptance call yesterday. Gettting the "packet" today and quittin the ol' job on Thursday afternoon. Academy here I come... I can't beleive the way this has all played out! Amazing.

Anyway, one more hack at this. I got to chat with another guy going to the academy next week and I think we both learned something from the conversations. Cadet Hiring said they were going to be busy yesterday calling folks...SO... Anyone else heard anything yet? drop some messages here and let's stay in touch.

Thanks again to the old heads around here that have assisted in calming and/or motivating as necessary. Can we get one more story before we go...? ;) maybe the one about when patrol cars only had 3 wheels and you had to plan your turns...or the one about when revolvers only held 4 rounds and you had to apprehend 5 suspects... ;) Seriously...DW, Tom, Mentor, et al...the first round o' beverages is on me when this is all over. Thanks guys

[Tom]

Congrats and good luck. You'll kick butt, I'm sure. I would like to tell you about how we had to run uphill all day, both ways, but I'll let you find out for yourself.:shock:ops:

Tom

[Hammer]

Hey Nellie,
I bought a nice Timex Ironman watch from Mervyn's for $27.00. It has 24 hour time, Indiglo, 100 M waterproof, etc.
My last Ironman ran for 16 years, went through three bands and three batteries. As they say, just make sure it doesn't beep in class. I got new tires for a decent price at Walmart, they also installed new windshield wipers for $7.00. I'm hoping to get an answer to the jacket and parking question as well.

[redhead]

I have to ask....what is the deal with the tires?

Or, I guess I can find out in Feb (hopefully) :biggrin:

[Hammer]

Some of the academy staff inspect the cadet's personal vehicles to make sure that they all comply with the vehicle code. If not, you get to be an example (and not the good kind). I bought new tires just to be safe, a friend of mine went all out and bought a NEW car. Better safe than sorry I guess.

[redhead]

Some of the academy staff inspect the cadet's personal vehicles to make sure that they all comply with the vehicle code. If not, you get to be an example (and not the good kind). I bought new tires just to be safe, a friend of mine went all out and bought a NEW car. Better safe than sorry I guess.

Figured as much. Thanks for the reply.

[Nellie]

Wow! I was just getting new tires because mine are showing cracks. I didn't know the cars were inspected.

[SB 405]

Some of the academy staff inspect the cadet's personal vehicles to make sure that they all comply with the vehicle code. If not, you get to be an example (and not the good kind). I bought new tires just to be safe, a friend of mine went all out and bought a NEW car. Better safe than sorry I guess. Sounds to me someone has too much time to waste if they have time to go through 90 or so vehicles. Or do they just pick out those "special looking" vehicles in the lot?

[Hammer]

It makes sense to me that if we are going to become CHP officers and enforce these laws then we must hold ourselves to the same standard. Since, we are going to be there for six months, that's plenty of time to observe all of our vehicles. I heard that they may lead a group of cadets out to the parking lot to observe. I'm under the impression that they will be looking for illegal exhausts, front window tint, broken or burned out lights, cracked windshields, bald tires, etc. These are all things that would give you cause to stop someone and possibly discover worse violations inside the vehicle (e.g., DUI, drugs, weapons). I would fix any of these issues ASAP.

[Tom]

I seem to recall doing something like that to our junior class when we were seniors. (Looking for VC violations) The cadets normally parked in seperate lots since the academy is, as far as dorms go, divided in half. I would say it would be wise to have your "ducks in a row." Waste of time?, probably, but it's all part of THE GAME. Play it, get it over with, move on and get out to the field so I can have Christmas off!!!!!:cool:

OBTW ResQ below is my family during the floods...you sure you want to buy the drinks??

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/2097/myfamily2aa.png

[Mac]

Sounds to me someone has too much time to waste if they have time to go through 90 or so vehicles. Or do they just pick out those "special looking" vehicles in the lot?
It's done as part of the Vehicle Code class. We all had to park our cars in one part of the lot, and then the entire company went out there and inspected the vehicles looking for VC violations. It's part of the "practical applications" of the class.

Funny story out of that episode - one of the guys in our company didn't have his front plate attached to his pickup truck, so when he went out there and parked it, he just kind of hung the front license plate and bracket into the holes in the bumper by the bolts. He was kind of a practical joker, and messed with my roommate a lot.....so right as the instructor got to his vehicle, my roommate casually walked across the front of his truck and kicked the bumper, causing the license plate to fall off right before the instructor's eyes. :badgrin:

BTW - Congrats and good luck, ResQ Pilot!

[ResQ]

your family? Tom...I thought that was outside of the dorms after-hours at the academy...TV, Mp3 players, good Scotch, bald tires, bald men...

[dw]

Congratulations, Res-Q. The fun is just about to begin :!: (Really, looking back, you remember the good times.)

I'm sure you'll keep us up-to-date on the weekends, but don't spoil the surprises for anyone else. ;)

[Your Mentor]

SUPER!!!

Well I'd tell you about how we had to feed the horses for the horse drawn buggies but that's another story . . .

Hey dooder, I just worked a 19 hour shift because of a snow storm; 5 spin outs, two crashes (the three other RP officers took two a piece as well), and 6 hours of chain control. And 11 hours of it was OVERTIME!!! I can handle all the cold mother nature can dish out for that kind of OTIS. That's what kind of fun you have to look forward to my man.

Okay, NOW GO GRADUATE!!! (and have fun)

[ResQ]

Mentor...OTIS...?! Over Time something something...? What does your wife say about days like this? Does she smile and count the money, or wish you were home?

[Your Mentor]

No longer married. Overtime by any other name is still . . . Sometimes called 'Oats.' It's part of being an RP officer; sometimes you pull long days when the weather gets snooty. Or we get called out in the middle of the night to work a crash or take a DUI turnover from an allied agency. We don't get to sign up for overtime details as they do in large Areas so we take it when we can. Pros and cons.

[redhead]

Hope you guys have a great weekend and good luck come Monday. Keep your heads up and remember all the work will pay off. Looking forward to (hopefully) meeting you guys in Feb/Mar.

Enjoy your new home (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=3500+Reed+St,+West+Sacramento,+CA&ll=38.596715,-121.560245&spn=0.007759,0.013739&t=k&cid=38580556,-121529167,16418497223426380790&hl=en)