AirGuardianC141747

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Godspeed to all of you serving still and Thank You. What a crock of Crown Royal as many stations have already started spinning this into “a President who got us out of Afghanistan” while ignoring the HOW it was done and anyone who thinks otherwise knows better. As veterans of Bagram, Kabul, Kandahar, etc., we all knew well before the loss of lives that there would be losses and now it’s far from really over. Amazing that you never had to step foot in country to know this as well. Just that obvious. Be safe on whatever “assignment” you’re on as it’s apparent some higher echelons of leadership in various positions all the way to the top does not have your back aside from those right next to you. Watch your tails Cowboys.

Maybe the Taliban can ask this administration to go back to Little Rock where we first started training (2013) the Afghans on the C-130Hs… Since then several tried/may have disappeared on our soil and quite a few pilots within their “AAF” have been assassinated well before this debacle. Now the threats to them and their families will be carried out after they get what they want…. It’s inevitable. Doubtful if they were ever on any evac lists.

Anytime we engaged in United Nations debauchery so habitat for humanity has been going for along time under the guise of nation building as well. Smoke and mirrors everywhere… just me.

Makes sense as China has been in the opium game centuries before Afghanistan ever was. Another good vein of opportunity for Big Red. Free WiFi, etc for all, now get back to work and leave the product alone…or get your heads bashed in…

If not already mentioned, C17 landing gear is the last large aircraft gear I would attempt take a ride and survive on. Turn, twist, fold, retract, etc. Not good odds even for me having flown her for well over a decade out of Afghanistan alone. It’s just a mess…

Our history dictates that we have very poor exit strategies. When another snake head pops up, here we go again. It is what it is.

Thanks RJ, sounds like a perfect movie for East Coast West Coast hop on some pax carrier. Just like Quiet Place II… First Quiet Place was very quiet, too quiet too slow when I needed a mindless sockem rockem movie to get my mind off the middle seat passenger bleeding into my virus free zone. *I keep movies like Ford vs Ferrari or The Courier(haven’t seen it yet/in my stash) for our Home Screen and mindless entertainment to kill time.

Just make sure you let Taiwan know when I’m not in either country. Wu Han was nice the other day. I’m sure they didn’t want to take me on a Lab Tour. Maybe Doc Fauci could be my guide.

Cool, was wondering what that one was like. I know someone mentioned it wasn’t that great, but I’m more willing to drop 300 cents on it just for some mindless action. Us airline guys get cheap sometimes, just didn’t want to pay $20 on Direct a couple of months ago. Thanks LR! One of my airline buds said The Tomorrow War was very good. I hope it is.

Jump from 62K to 82K at the bare minimum. No extra anything… 103K perhaps, guessing on new contract. Total Guess!!! Well considering he had to endure 3-4 months of training pay around $1600 a month during his first year he will better off. He also was subjected to a 50hr guarantee on year one pay of $87 hr (only 8-9 months of actual flight pay guarantee). 2nd year pay goes to $110 at a 62 hr guarantee on current book (current contract). New contract potential is 2nd year pay $134 or above at 64 hr guarantee or a tad more if lucky above that. Nothing known until mid September but we are ever hopeful for a substantial hike overall. Wow factor probably not, but definitely a better living standard for being paid to travel globally like no one else (only if your into that)

A superb rendition of where we go and what we do. Super Car hauling, Vehicle Prototypes, Race Horse hauling, cattle and other weird animals (blah), Sports Teams, Bands (Foo Fighters back in the day), Oil rig equipment, Beans & Bullets or much Bigger, etc., etc., etc., and like the other haulers Lobster, Flowers, Mail, e-commerce, Laptops, batteries and everything else under the sun that can hurt you - that last part keeps the pucker factor going. You name it we have probably hauled it aside from the public thankfully. We support Purple/Brown during peak and are currently opening a base if you will at MEM just for this. Yes we don’t fly like any/most of us do/have in the military and we’ll never have the outstanding times among your comrades in the heat of battle or beer but who really even comes close. But FF hit the true diversity of talents, ideas and culture influx of Atlas - we cast a very wide net. No hats, no jackets, just clip on ties (mine isn’t) and very “Casual Friday” wear. Being away that long at times is not everyone’s ideal situation especially with children and other home requirements so that would totally suck no lie - gotta be home, can’t stress enough don’t even look this way. Couple of weeks off (just me) is very fulfilling. This long haul does take its toll on marriages, etc. and should be weighed heavily. But some of us don’t consider this work compared to the excerpt below from APC “Widebody FO” pg 13 on a Big 3 site posted 7/26/21. This is actual work to most who have experienced this other type of torment so LordRatner’s maximize your pay, time off and efficiency is pure Gold as your focus. SociaID and others have got this down very well. “We have to get some of that fixed. A 5 day with 4 10-11 hour layovers is exhausting. Especially at 3 & 4 legs a day.” It does go on to say with someone replying - “Call Fatigue” which is correct. This schedule is not uncommon among most PAX carriers anything less than 5 days means more commute. If you live in base and have always wanted to live there that is the best case of living the dream. Many will say it’s not the norm but they’re fairly senior at times having already dragged thru the salt mines and enjoy much better schedules several years later. Captains running really good schedules out there in 10-15 years on the guppy is great (scarebus would be much better size wise for me 6’/240lbs) and have memorized freqs, approaches, controller names and the best Latte vendors/eats within 500ft. Travel junkies wait much longer but your travel benefits can be good as some outfits, but no worries your paycheck will cover it well. STRONG marriage and/or single wanting to see things beyond the military adventure curtain FF said it best. No one does what we do, not saying that’s the smartest thing. You want 3-4 luxury homes, many sports cars and planes, have 1, 2, 3 x-wives and 5 kids. Big 3, Purple/Brown makes things much easier. Definitely a great deal. Ask any Brown Driver, it’s just a job and they fly almost twice as much as we do in a significantly less amount of time. My friend is a 1995 UPS hire still an FO (Hub stuff) says “I’m butt tired and bent over getting off the plane, BUT they make it easy cuz there’s a pile of cash at the bottom of the stairs so it’s easy to pick up!” $$$$$ He has twin girls so he’s preparing, good for him killing it.

You did, kinda… I hadn’t stayed at 5 Clowns for well over 3 years and we were told it was off the books a few months ago. End of June they booked my fellow FO at the “Tony Stark” but myself at the 5 Clowns which was weird. I could have made the changes, but was curious if anything had changed and nothing had as I checked out with several Big 3 guys and Regional guys who were very cool and not too well rested like me. Definitely Atlas Hotel Appreciation Day, won’t do that again. I am a good franchise player normally unless it involves food and this particular hotel. Next time I will spit out my pacifier make a call and they will pound sand.

I guess I wasn’t too far off at 75-100 days. Much more chill on the line. We have some great times and of course challenging moments. Welcome Aboard Herkbum, I hope it treats you right while your here and takes you wherever you desire as a career destination. Thanks SocialD, we hope for better. It’s been a long drag out so we need to get this one done so we can plug all the holes for the next one and so on. Works very well for myself, but could be better and on par with industry standards which I use loosely. Cheers to all and just have fun.

We definitely have some knucklehead schedulers and they can pound sand on most 10 hr resets. Worked with some good ones too and worked things out. Been here awhile so they don’t/haven’t messed with me but once this year. Worked 132 days/233 Off last year, no overtime and one attempted extension - not fantastic but very comfortable. Usually bid 15 day trips that are relatively few at my base. Time zone jumping is tough no doubt but speaking for myself I range from 14-24/30+ hrs off in between flights 70% on time and 30% scheduling is on fire. Despite a few back to backs, still the best if not the most interesting airline type flying out there (my perspective) vs normal shuttling up/downs and/or hub turns of any SORT. Pax moving isn’t on my bucket list, but the AMC runs, etc are unique. Most of my friends at the LCCs or multi-leg carriers state that “it makes the day go fast!” which sounds like work to me while many say 6-12+ hr legs would make them poke their eyes out - Totally get it as it has dragged a few times no doubt, but mostly to be at the next location just chilling and soaking up that environment. Long haul isn’t for everyone and has been my life for 2 decades having had the AF inoculate me since 9/11. Always enjoy going somewhere new (sometimes repetitive), not cookie cutter short haul shuttles (although the triple run out of Korea and back blows I must admit). Prefer 1 leg 12+ hour 4 person crew/dozing for a few dollars, cook, movies, doing other business for 6 hrs or more. What frustrates most is that it could be the Best places hands down but will never be. With a few more clams closer, decent retirement and other benefits we could keep our talent but I will say there are also those that need to move on. Once again your mileage may vary regarding the above, but it works well for me specifically (fairly senior) and several others. If you have any reservations on being away from the hacienda for even 10 days. DO NOT COME HERE! If you want/need to differentiate yourself for future opportunities we work well for future endeavors! Good luck to all.

Cannot agree more with FourFans130. Atlas 74 Perspective Cons up front: Lackluster contract (unable to vote on it) well behind Majors/Brown/Purple/SWA, etc., no pure soft pay per say, trip guarantee, DH Pay, international override, etc. Top issues: 17 Day lines, Pay, Retirement/Direct Contribution bottom line. 14 Days Vaca until 5th year 21 Days maximum. Standard gripes Union/Management like most airlines. Gateway travel although nice may cost you a day up front to preposition and a day after return to base which 19 days is plausible. 70-100 days initial training in MIA unless you live or enjoy MIA. *Inefficiencies throughout… Some Pros are biased which is undeniable… Pros: Gateway Travel and hotel accommodations provided; therefore, it’s never your fault or worry getting to work=live almost anywhere U.S. and many live overseas unlike anywhere else. 30 day and 60 day lines = ability to get schedule done and be off for longer periods or chop up the 17 day lines over 2 months with shorter times away and shorter times at home. Sick Leave at this time is a Big Boy program and Doctors note not required. Pay is decent and doing overtime can nab you significant gains using days off. MIA training folks and overtime hounds can pull near half a mil or more working diligently. MIA is super senior. 74 is a comfortable ride, uniform hung at cruise, no FAs, no pax shenanigans, no bathroom break requests. Casual flying around the globe on paid vacation having some good eats & beverages with friends at interesting venues/locations. Hopefully upcoming “Arbitrated” contract closes the gap to other airlines. Notice I didn’t say equals… 777 More solid scheduled runs predominantly international of course. 76 folks do more airline type schedules every other week or so. Some international but predominantly Amazon and NFL/MLB/AMC Pax charters. 73 side seems like a startup test, unsure what’s really going over there. If new contract nears $300 mark, has significantly better retirement and keeps some of the TA’d goodness most would stay. My doubts fall on retirement gains… *Inefficiencies have been a plus on most occasions based upon length of stay at great locations. A few not so great ones.

Best indicator that everything(pax carriers) is coming back at a decent pace = We are starting to hemorrhage pilots at an increased rate as the Big 3 and others start pulling in 75-150 expected newbies a month for quite awhile to curtail all the early retirements, ran back to mil jobs to ride the storm out for a few seasons and those who are sitting out for awhile on half pay, etc. I expect us to lose 35 or more this month, even before our arbitrated contract should show itself next month perhaps. Mil folks should be picked up rather quickly and if you want to bump your chances = we have consistently lost bodies to FedEx/UPS forever and the Big 3 is gaining traction. Atlas has a great reputation: “We’ll hook’em, fry’em and clean’em for their next destination.” Some stay like me cuz it’s not just a job, but an adventure - better than the Navy Ad back in the day possibly. Don’t care for pax, always flying in uniform, domestic only (Mexico/Canada doesn’t really count as international), 3-5 legs every day, 3-4AM consistent alarms, etc. But many folks do enjoy the previous and it’s all about lifestyle/$$$. Eye of beholder, make it work for you!

I’ll bite, ego sure and you don’t get things done without some or a lot your call, but he did get a lot done (needed to finish some several) seriously. So list your “damaging stuff?” I firmly believe he just brought to the surface a lot of issues that needed to be rectified. It was so fast it made people’s head spin that he could make such headway in sludge. Wrong direction or right, no one cannot deny he moved forward and accomplished more than any 3 prior in charge and with such distraction and hatred against him from day one. I pray it never happens, but in the end many have been awakened (not woke) and what lies ahead will be far from stellar amongst soft hides and lack of determination, gusto and conviction.

Country really going down the tubes amongst other things. At least nearly 50% of the country disagrees with the other so we have reached middle ground on a playing field which is not ideal. Now a *$4 Trillion package in the works. We get what we get and it’s the whole lot of them that aren’t relevant or viable and not just the one who got lucky he fell on the way up the stairs. Things keep printing under this admin and it will be like falling down the stairs = Nothing stops you all the way down right down to the bottom and as seen no one moves a muscle to help the Leader of the free world supposedly which was sad... as human nature should not be this way. Not the only President who battled the stairs repeatedly, but I do believe the only one to do it all at once. 45 more months left = We can afford to put in an escalator type air stairs in the next “rescue package.” Most recent 1.9T Package - Saving crippled criminal states with your tax money since they are not fiscally responsible and other undeserving sectors. You might not pay for it, your kids and theirs will or most likely we won’t get out of it as some of mentioned before and yes this currency must remain relevant, but that’s not what the rest world or let’s just say China wants. Especially as China has now obtained full control of their money laundering system known as Hong Kong. Thank God for Brexit, that put a huge glitch in the one currency to rule them all mission as well as the politics that goes with it. Reset is another story. There will be consequences and that’s the greatest issue of a lot of attitudes now as they have not felt any. Granted, some never will as they have never lost anything they have earned thru hard work, it’s always been someone else’s effort. Interestingly enough, “Riots” continue with a bit more resistance than last year, sounds like their needs aren’t being met; therefore, like their sponsors the tantrum continues. Thankful our state did/does not succumb to weakness such as lack of intestinal fortitude and stamps that crap down. For those who fall back to 6 Jan as a distraction which wasn’t right by any means (small percentage actually crossing the line/barriers=stupid). If just half of the entire crowd participated and really had destruction on their minds, it would have been far greater of a loss of life/property than the unforgettable/unfortunate/unforgivable loss of 5. Truth be told, the entire Capital would have fallen and there were no true weapons of significance. Not good, but it’s telling on the overall intent despite a strategic mistake during such a critical time. At least the flag of Virginia says it all if this country goes full retro, but maybe that’s what the future holds by purity of the vote so be it. There should never be a get out of jail free pass. But that really doesn’t matter anymore now does it as we all just have to “circle back to that” and never really do. That in a nutshell is what we have. We can do better on every front which is sad.

Totally on board. There are many reasons to leave the military and one cannot specifically choose one in most cases. For myself, timing was everything, planning your exit strategy is key and you must do the best you can and always remember the best laid plans rarely if ever survive first contact. Planned a minimum of 3 years ahead, financial, medical, next career alignment, next landing pad, expected home purchase/taxes/higher cost possibilities, etc. Anything and everything you can think of. Save a minimum of 30-50K, more the better. Sold 2 motorcycles; I wish I hadn’t (just my favorite one) but that’s an unknown and we were more than prepared. Your second backup is your TSP in case of an emergency bailout which could possibly be required (It’s in the small print). If possible: Go Guard or Reserve for a much easier/mental state of transition period from Blue to Gray or whatever. You can hopefully secure your next career not job and move forward or dabble in alternate dream/passions that will quell that military servitude sense of accomplishment for God and Country. I agree it wasn’t easy moving on but there are certain times my current career allows me to mingle with our great soldiers and moving them and their war fighting equipment out of the same areas I flew before. Only now they compensate for it when I still would do it anyway, but it’s a nice additive. Sure, we still do CBT’s, but we get paid for that (It’s these little victories that makes things alright). In the end I definitely could have moved up to higher rank and leadership opportunities but sometimes you must know when it’s the most opportune time to leave the party and not be low hanging fruit. Things to consider: 1. Does the 2.5% jump in retirement pay incrementally out do your next career/Chapter 2 Life potential. (Basically are you wasting time or not). Plus if paid VA benefits immediately, that may out do any rank increase or longevity you plan on. Guessing. 2. Current value of your job or the pressures you are subjected too still worth it. Life on either side has its plus and minuses. 3. Family acclimation - Good and Bad 4. Remember, Big Blue is gone when you retire and your family is for life if it didn’t disintegrate before you left. 5. Face it, are you a career soldier which is great and I want you to succeed. Just accept the noble life you have chosen. Note: None of the places my wife and I intended to retire too are the same 24 years later. We have moved 3 times in 2 years after military retirement so not much there has changed. Blessed to have work which allows this.

Great info brabus, No issues in any other areas except for normal shooter lust, just haven’t ordered any air cans as of yet. Thx.

Cargo outfits have been able to secure new business rapidly due to the 2020 debacle. Far faster than any plan any of them had in play; therefore, their acceleration of hiring has been above and beyond normal induction/attrition. More aircraft being ordered, delivered or converted to include a few pulled back out of the desert this past year just to fill unprecedented demand. Belly freight that normally Pax carriers had fell to pure cargo assets literally swamping the landscape initially. FedEx was quick to secure several long term contracts with prior belly freight customers as did a few others. Pax carriers revitalized some of their assets to move cargo however they could. Even Amazon for the first time purchased 11 used 767 aircraft from Delta and Westjet above and beyond its current leasing strategy. They are slated for freighter conversion. We carry pax but not everyday fare based options, mostly charters and AMC. Our NFL has ratcheted down on schedule and our FedEx/UPS peak support is finalizing per seasonal requirements and AMC continues for now. Atlas will continue to hire (hired hundreds upon hundreds in 2020), especially with the available resources of much higher qualified candidates while the opportunity exists. Granted it’s always been harder to keep them with FedEx/UPS/Majors poaching them consistently and who could blame them. Just too easy - We hook’m, clean’m and fry’m then serve them to higher paying customers if you will. FedEx and others hire for longevity/expansion while we get some longevity some expansion but honestly attrition beyond retirements has been the primary issue it seems. We do have more demand as Atlas Air Worldwide holdings has recently placed an order for 4 more 747-8F’s to most likely finish the production line by the end of 2022. Good place to start, stay or move on to greener pastures that meet your needs. Come on in, the water is fine. Any Pax carrier folks out there care to share their hiring plans for 2021-22? This information will be a decent measure of the recovery of our economy.

Gun Control is very tricky. Definitely could institute some sort of common sense measures whatever they may be. No expert by any means although many initiatives are a gateway drug to further action. But in the end if you believe there is absolutely no threat of gun confiscation, history has proven you wrong. To paraphrase Lloyd Christmas, I am telling you there’s a chance. However miNute, it’s the same reason you have a CCL. Buyback is gun confiscation, or you could just mandatory register your items making it easier to go door to door, granted plenty of states/counties becoming sanctuary areas as each second passes. Nothing was accomplished rapidly prior to the Trump administration. It’s the whole boiling frog routine. Now things are moving quickly and once you start chipping away like a boxer’s first eye cut, the bleeding won’t stop and it always gets worse from there. Venezuela at least offered some great appliances before tyranny set in. 2020 has proven you should have the right to protect yourself all by itself. Imagine how much greater the threat might have been if there was absolutely no fear entering certain areas. Virginias flag alone tells you why the 2nd amendment exists. Goddess of virtue with a sword/Lance and stepping on the chest King of England mind you, his crown having fallen to the wayside. "Sic semper tyrannis“ written below...

Very Great points jazzdude: Regarding the subset of voters I mentioned you are correct, maybe we trust a proven system whatever that might be which I guess I only alluded too. America as a whole has voted for a very long time centuries now without such mail in ballots as a predominant measure, it has just been a rushed measure with this current state of affairs. Standing in long lines losing pay with skin in the game, bad bosses and not getting paid for your time being American that’s nothing new if you have been voting for quite awhile now as your civic duty. I can only account for over 3 decades of voting and how it has changed significantly for the worse with the technology available for the best. With your voter accountability ideas it should be attainable. Side note - $15 an hour pay might help so many have that going for them which is nice. Not arguing whether $15 is a good/bad thing, we as the consumer will pay no matter what as it will be handed down to us. Closing the economy for voting, even if true for a few weeks it’s hardly a real deal breaker compared to 2020 as the litmus test. The American economy is still being crushed into this year with constant closings aside from the protesting/riots/1st Amendment tamp down, etc. Businesses have already burned and continue to struggle with folks hurting out there as we live among the non-government paycheck entrepreneurs, small businesses, etc. As a nation we have yet to feel and reel from the impacts going forward to include the debt accrued into $30 Trillion plus now. Your Voter ID definitely has great merit and I hope to get there beyond signatures, voter registration, ID etc. (never said just signature match, I would have included heartbeat if it mattered 🙂 Your 2 factor authentication would be the best course of action. My statement was a pure assessment that we basically have absolutely nothing so how will trust be earned again. Your way sounds good. Time to research at home definitely is more of a comfort driven statement, I like it. Being informed is paramount. I already do the same it’s just homework, but I have drilled down my notes in hand when I actually show up to vote as we do not have the premiere system that you mentioned yet. When we do, I’m there dude/just like you = good stuff. Regarding Trump and current events. At least at the bare minimum we get to see all the snakes that normally reside in the tall grass. A lot of them are out in the open and blatantly revealed themselves and their agendas within BOTH parties, Presidents current/past, Senators, Governors, Mayors, Police Chiefs, etc. Definitely an easier and safer life to blindly walk the path down the middle of the tall grass. Easier for them to strike from their comfort zone, but now the grass has been lit on fire. Free Speech / Gun Control at the forefront. It’s not coming it’s already here with the 1st Amendment being crossed rampantly and trigger control a close 2nd. Crush 1, then number 2 and so on. Parler, YouTube restrictions , Go Daddy now, granted plenty of other websites have been attacked/shutdown/restricted by the DOJ for the good of society, but these Free Speech sites seem to be at the forefront currently (not by DOJ, but Big Tech). Anyone can be on the list now. Search parties are rolling and not to save a life mind you, but to control it.

While it’s not Cherry right now, it’s still a charmed life retrospectively. Food for thought: If you were born in 1900 and lived til you were 75... You have first hand knowledge of WWI, Russian Revolution/Communism, Great Depression, WWII, Holocaust, Korean War, Cold War/Nuclear rise of Nations, Civil Rights Movement, Viet Nam, Cuban Missile Crisis, Space Race, Woodstock, Oil Crisis... etc. Many of those would tend to put a real damper on things and some uplifted/matured our nation. Definitely missed a few more notable events. What lies ahead? Especially without current plumbing, electricity, air conditioning, transportation, logistics, medical, emergency services, THE INTERNET/Worldwide Web of Truth, Lies and Deceit, etc. Can you even imagine. *Not a Boomer by the way, just raised by the greatest generation who had a late start problem = me.