Manuals, Manuals and more Manuals

With a bit of foresight I was sure on the first day at Monarch there would be a lot of documentation given to us. As I am already Type Rated, I basically get two weeks home study after an induction day (to allow the others to do the Airbus Ground School). Therefore I was going to be flying back home with all the goodies given to me!

I planned ahead and travelled very light but with lots of luggage. I had a Samsonite carry-on case (just the right size to get through security), and a large canvas holdall, both empty - waiting for binders!

We were given 4 boxes of binders, plus numerous other piles of paper on the day - regardless of all my planning there was no chance of taking it all. Thanks to one of my new colleagues, Mark, who has about a 1/3rd of my binders in the back of his car, I was able to either take or store all the stuff given to me.

Thanks to easyJet allowing any weight in the cabin, I was able to get about 20kg in my hand luggage, and the other 20kg went in the hold. It wasn't a fun walk from Monarch HQ to the airport Checkin!

I am making good progress through most of the binders now. It's amazing, both what you remember and what you are sure you've never read in your life before! Next Monday is the start of groundschool proper for both me and Mark, who is also type-rated. We continue with about 2 weeks of either lectures or fun stuff like putting out fires, jumping down escape slides, or learning all about escape slides; then move onto the simulator sessions. I'll keep you updated!