Jump to content

sputnik

Supreme User
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    517

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    3

 Content Type 

Posts posted by sputnik

    Gun Talk

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    I'm a hobbiest, and my current old fashioned ARs work just fine.  I'll spend my gun $ in other directions (MPX).

     

    That said, if I made my living with it, I'd get a piston every day and twice on Sunday.

    It only took the Army 50-60 years to accept what every E1 grunt has said about gas since the M14 (piston) went away 

    Gun Talk

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    20 hours ago, brabus said:

    @Smokin I’m always curious about a piston AR, but the pros over DI I’ve read are cleaner, cooler, less jams - things I’ve not really had much issue with shooting lots of DI. My curiosity is still there, but my gut says it’s not a significant difference/impact won’t be noticeable, so why go down the piston road?

    I mean, they're cool.

    As a former 11B (in a prior century) who spent hours upon hours cleaning every fng speck of carbon out of my A1 then A2, pistons are black magic

    Granted we were shooting a lot of blanks, which are filthy.

    Was at range with a bud recently when same topic came up.  We compared bolts and the point was instantly made 

    Plus whenever I was deployed all the (non-US) cool guys had pistons.  Figured they knew better than I.

    I could be wrong, but don't some pistons still use buffers?  The MCX is the first one I saw with the internal springs that allow real folding stocks.  

     

    Gun Talk

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, M2 said:

    Great entry-to-mid level stuff, more than capable for 90% of people who aren't trying to be SEAL Team Six!

    The also have a reputation for excellent customer service.

    As for KelTec, I'd steer clear based on past experience.  


    Thanks guys.  It’s for plinking, and I’m more Meal Team Six these days.

    Always been curious about keltec, they make weird looking shit and it’s always very cheap.

    • Upvote 1

    Elon Musk & Tesla EVs

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    On 11/26/2024 at 8:19 PM, BashiChuni said:

    getting a new car anyways. commuting <75 nm to a reserve gig and wanna also use it as an airport car. live in the south.

    I have a model Y and love that thing.  I was driving 2k a month between commute to work and two kids in travel sports and the nearly zero Mx costs was nice. 

    It’s odd how some people loathe Teslas, and feel the need to tell me (uninvited) how awful they are.

    Objectively I think the 3 is better than the Y, but I just liked sitting in the Y more.

    Gun Talk

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    I’ve been impressed with PSA prices and services.  Any thoughts on quality of their own branded stuff?  Prices are kinda amazing.

     

    On the subject of quality, keltec?

     

    Thanks

    • Like 1

    USAA

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 3/13/2022 at 7:48 PM, JQuintana said:

    Long range or performance? Thinking about getting a Y myself after driving one.

    I got the long range.  I loved driving the performance, but didn't want the stuff that came with it (wheels,.etc).  The LR is fast enough for me.

     

     

    USAA

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 3/12/2022 at 12:34 PM, Sua Sponte said:

    Anyone insure an electric vehicle (e.g., Tesla Model 3) with USAA? For a clean record and being a member for 22 years the rates I'm getting compared to State Farm are insane.

    I didn't shop around when I added a Model Y.  I hit a deer (my luck in rural Georgia finally ran out).  Getting a Tesla repaired is a monumental pita, I'm coming up on six weeks now.

     

    USAA has been amazing on the claim.  No issues whatsoever.  Cant speak to the rates, but they've been great when I needed them.

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Bergman said:

    I suppose it’s possible with OE buys and GSWC, but pulling that off for an entire year would be difficult.  I’ll keep my eyes out for these unicorns once I’m reinstated.

    I knew one that made just shy of 700k that year.  He showed me his profit sharing, which was impressive.

     

    My personal assessment was  dudes were adding in profit sharing.  And excess cash from when they passed the 415 limit, which they all did.

     I do know guys were hitting 100k a month at the beginning of that year, how long they kept that up I've no idea.

     

    Personally I doubt anyone made a million without including PS, and excess, if then.  But man, what a great conversation, eh?

     

    • Like 1

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    8 hours ago, di1630 said:

    Heard United is furloughing 30% starting 1 Oct. 5,000 pilots.


    Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

    That's not quite what United's bid meant.   At worst it set up about 2500 to be furloughed, starting in Oct.  Which definitely sucks, but is a hell of a lot less than 5k.

    As for Delta's news, it also tees up 2500.  Which also sucks, but is far less than 7k.

    • Like 1

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    12 hours ago, HossHarris said:

    Or at least relatively close. Atlanta sucks. The panhandle of Florida is awesome and close enough. 

    Bite your tongue, after 20+ in the Air Force actively avoiding it,  I finally live in "base housing"--and it's awesome.  As a bonus, driving to work is priceless.

    To each his own--another great facet of airline life.

    VA disability that doesn’t affect FAA/ civilian flying

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    1.  Don't lie.  There are now unemployed looking guys at prison time for lying about VA disability to FAA.

     

    2.  Just for PITA factor, I would stay away from mental health stuff.  But, take care of yourself, and refer to num 1 above.  There are plenty of pilots on SSRIs, getting counseling, etc.  After Germanwings there is a tad bit of hysteria about pilots lying about mental health.

     

    3.  Sleep apnea is no longer as big a deal as it once was with FAA.  But you will have to travel with a CPAP, and it tells on you.  If you need it for rest, by all means go for it.  Just be aware of what you're signing up for.

     

    4.  If you're able to fly in AF, you shouldn't have a problem maintaining an FAA physical.  Its kinda amazing what conditions that will still allow a class one.

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    16 hours ago, otsap said:

    In what situation, no matter how individualize or niche, would it be preferable to be at a regional instead of major?  I only know what I've read in this thread, so pardon the ignorance.  But, let's say I don't care about the money so I don't want/need to be a WB CA.  Instead, if my primary motivation is the travel benefits, and I would rather fly as seldom as possible, and when I do fly, to fly the shortest legs possible, would it make sense to go regional?  I'm thinking doing so would allow me to gain seniority quickly since most people are heading to the majors asap, allowing me to pick lines, flights, schedules, that matched the above desires that much sooner.

    That is an interesting question I've never considered.  I'm really having trouble thinking of one.  Only thing I can come up with is the  scenario is that you like where you live, don't want to commute, and there is a regional domicile you can drive to, very quickly.  That's about it.  Even with that, regional contracts are at the whim of the majors they contract with, so that domicile could disappear at a moment's notice.

    I agree with Social about travel benefits.  You'd always have higher priority on your own metal anyway, if you wanted to travel beyond where your regional goes.  If travel is your thing, there is a lot to be said for cargo, and getting miles for deadhead.  ACMI for that matter.  Or big picture, I make enough money that I can just buy the damn tickets.

    • Like 1

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    9 hours ago, GoodSplash9 said:

    Question for dudes at any Major commercial carrier....what kind of travel benefits are there for family? From what I've heard, it's easy yourself to sit jump and travel for free. Can you get discounted tickets for family members? If so, is there a quota or limit? Standby seems like it isn't really that reliable, especially for more than a few people (or is there a way to game it and make free flights work).

    Every time we have tried to non rev, it has worked out.  I'm not mentally good at it and tend to stress, especially with kids involved, but it has always worked.  On the rare occasions we had to be somewhere and couldn't take the risk, I bought (and SWA was cheaper than my own carriers discounts).  Non rev has gotten us some experiences we just wouldn't have had if buying tickets was the only way (NYC in a day, etc). 

    International seems easier than domestic.  I've ruined travel for my oldest for life with first class across the pond.

    Not here to tell anyone what to do with their money, but after a few years at the airlines the pay is enough that we can afford more than I could on active duty.  When I did "have" to buy tickets, it wasn't a big deal.  In general, we travel a lot more than we ever did when I was in the military, non rev is a big part of the reason we can do that.

    IPhone to Galaxy S9+

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    My 2 cents.  I hate Apple , for no good reason but it is what it is.  Been a samsung guy for years and have decided I am done with the brand.  Had too many problems, not happy with reliability.  Now, if you happen to be the sort that gets insurance, maybe not a big deal.  Also, the way they build phones they are very difficult to repair.  Was very surprised to see the difference in repair costs for apple vs samsung.

    My kid has a pixel and I'm very impressed.  Will probably go with one of those eventually.  Am contemplating Google Fi.  Not sure how well it'll work where I live but I'm sick of paying Verizon as much as I do.

    New AFPC commander a pilot

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 8/14/2018 at 1:01 PM, disgruntledemployee said:

    Yeah, but were they really pilots?  I sat in the back of the plane one day while McDew subjected the earth to his soul crushing landings.  I closed my eyes, braced for impact, and let out a Jesus! as I expected the gear to collapse each time.  Tr'ble, just tr'ble. 

     

    Interesting.  Not my favorite guy but flew with him once when he was an O6 and was taken aback at how good he was.  Wasn't expecting it for some reason.  Guess things atrophy

×
×
  • Create New...