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Bergman

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Posts posted by Bergman

    What's wrong with the Air Force?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Bergman

    1 hour ago, moosepileit said:
    3 hours ago, HarleyQuinn said:
    Made me think of the "Balad Light Show" the tower used to put on for upon request after landing at night. Definitely boosted my morale.

    Always a light moment when taxiing in near view of the tower and announcing that we had our tickets...

    They were still doing the Gun Show at Al Udeid in December.

     

    FWIW I've seen the TN adjutant general in action for quite a number of years and this didn't really come as a surprise.  A tragedy, for sure.  But he doesn't like the Air component one bit to begin with, and has a very low tolerance for "flyboy shenanigans".  It's interesting to note that he is one of the most old-school relics I've ever run across (and I'm pretty damned crusty myself).  The stuff I personally have heard him say about women and minorities, out loud, and in public, made me and several others literally wince.  Rule #3: There is no justice!  How he has made it this far is somewhat of a mystery to me, although admittedly I don't know much of his career prior to being a two star.

    (Rule 1 being Timing is everything, Rule 2 Life isn't fair. The three rules of an Air Force career)

    I already thought the guy who runs the snco/nco Facebook page was a complete Nonner tool, and this whole episode confirms it.  This shitbag literally ruined these people's careers, and in the case of the MSgt who tried re-enlisting, perhaps her entire life (she is a single mom whose only job was full-time ANG) and now tries to backtrack for fear of losing his precious clicks and Likes.  You, sir, can eat a bowl of dicks.  I'll never read or comment on anything he posts again.

    • Like 1

    Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    11 hours ago, MooseAg03 said:


    We had the same conversation about how much we could do with an extra $4k per month after taxes. However, is it worth screwing up our plans to separate and have some stability in our lives knowing I would just wind up getting out in 2 years when I get the 365 notification? Absolutely not.

    Agreed.  Maybe I’m just getting old, but the idea of more money to spend...in a place I didn’t choose to live, and getting deposited while I’m away from home for months on end AGAIN, all the while working for narrow minded leadership that doesn’t value my effort, just isn’t worth it.

    The fact the airlines offer significantly better stability and also the same, or possibly much higher, salary makes this a no-brainer.

    I will say I remember leaving AD and the fear of the unknown.  It took a couple years to realize that yes, I can say NO to things, I can live wherever I want, and my life can be about things other than work.

    Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    16 minutes ago, ColoradoAviator said:

    This kind of additional pay is game changing. I had a conversation with my wife along the lines of, "I know we talked about airlines but what if I stayed in and earned $192K/year?"  Granted that conversation ended with "Haha - it'll never happen!"

    That is equivalent to 3rd year pay at the airline, assuming you work 15 days a month.  And you’d still have no control over your life (179s, 365s, PCS, RPA, etc).

     

    Sanity check - Should we buy our dream home?

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    27 minutes ago, SPAWNmaster said:

    We are familiar with the area and have lived there before. Originally we said we’d come back when we retire but why wait? Finding out life is short with all these friends of mine going in so may just end up pulling the trigger if we can make it work. Question now is if VA loan permits us to be away or if we have to move in immediately. 

    This might be a good opportunity to not tell the VA your plans wrt not living there.  None of their business and if you don't offer it up, doubt they'll ask.

    I'd probably pull the trigger as well, assuming you know what you're getting in to.  It's only money after all! haha.  Honestly, you'll be paying the principle down for an extra year or more and also gain the interest deduction (not sure how that changes with the new Trump plan).

    Leadership at the 'Deid

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    2 hours ago, spaceman said:

    Failure to meet cleaning standards will not be tolerated!  Thanks volunteers!!

    Oh the irony, eh?  We seriously can't even make this shit up anymore.  I'd say it's impossible to get any more out of touch than this statement, but the douchebags running the USAF these days would take it as a challenge.  

    I weep for our service.

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    16 hours ago, di1630 said:

    Airline dudes/dudettes:

    What type of standby or pass benefits do your airlines offer you for family and what’s your good/bad experience with using them?

    IMHO this is an almost unbelievable perk.  My parents are able to come visit as often as they want.  I fly literally all over the place on a whim.  Booking non-rev on other airlines is easy and free if you’re traveling by yourself.

    You learn the ropes pretty quick.  Take the earliest flight possible, as once the first operational hiccup occurs, you could be SOL all day.  Keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly.  Obviously some places are easier to get to than others but if you’ve got time and plan ahead, you’ll love it.

    • Like 1

    Leadership at the 'Deid

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Bergman

    36 minutes ago, Duck said:

    Does JohnQ know about this extortion? I don’t mean to complain, I know there are places where people would have paid anything to be able to skype home and there was no internet available. I just don’t get where free internet turned into $100/month.

    It’s Al Udeid...”Always different, never better”

     

    FWIW I got the $60/mo plan in Oct-Dec and it worked great for my laptop and phone.  It is a PITA to log in every time you switch buildings/routers but at least it works well once you’re logged in.

    What's wrong with the Air Force?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 3/14/2018 at 5:15 PM, SocialD said:

    Reading this makes my nugget hurt and makes me thankful I'm on a stand alone Guard base.  Knowing almost every SP by name is great...especially when you leave your ID in the computer.  In 17 years on the same base, I have never seen/heard of cars being searched on the way out of base.  Hell they cant even write tickets.   

    This just made me all the more pissed off during a recent visit to an AD base. One particular night after a long debrief, I ended up having to play their mickey mouse game of a car search while trying to leave base.  They didn't seem impressed with all the red solo cups of jack n' cokes in the van, but didn't fuck with us for them...so that was nice.  

    Same here.  16 years between two ANG bases and never been searched leaving the base.

    I have, however, been searched getting on the base several times.  The guards say, "Just go ahead and unload your handguns and put them on the front seat.  We won't take them" 

    Gotta love the Guard.  Sometimes.

    • Like 1

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    On 2/27/2018 at 5:33 PM, brickhistory said:

    Digression over.

     

    Back to you guys telling us how much money you make for sitting at home or in a crashpad.

    Okay!  

    I made $130k at the airline and worked an average of 11 days a month last year. Many of those were half days, as I had zero report times before noon.  At least 2 of those 11 per month were “off days” on 30 hour layovers.  Oh hey, I’m on one right now.  Drinking Guinness for $2.35/hour per diem and $1000/ day pay.  Meh.

     

    i mention this not as a brag (that’s chump change for airline guys) but as a data point.  Run! Fucking run!  You’re treated better and well compensated.  The Air Force no longer deserves the sacrifice so many good people endure to serve.  The O-6s and above just don’t care about anyone but themselves.   I can’t stand their bottom-shelf management (leadership nowhere to be found) and the self-serving buffoons in charge constantly crushing what little morale and QOL we have left.

    Calling it a career (AD/ANG) later this year.

    • Like 2
    • Upvote 1

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    23 minutes ago, Toro said:

    'm told it's even better sitting reserve on widebodies.

    I think that's my next adventure when I can hold widebody in Atlanta.  Talked with a 777 FO who flew 6 4-day trips IN A YEAR sitting reserve.  At $232/hour.  The trips were all one leg out, 48 hour layover, 1 leg back.  Oh, with two crews...so in crew rest half of the two flights also.

    Although I have to say, my regular schedule has been pretty awesome lately.  A full 81 hour schedule for March has 3 4-days and a 3-day, and all but one of those trips has a 33+ hour layover (entire day off) so not really working that hard.  I bid specific layovers and usually have enough going on they don't even feel like work.

     

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    Saw this on an airline FB page this morning and thought it was oh so true and worth sharing as it captures the difference perfectly.  Shared without consent so hope he’s not pissed.

    “I just got my new Delta ID. (It's been nearly 2 years already!?)

    It reminded me of the process required to get a new military ID. Block yourself off for at least a couple hours so you can sign in at MPF and then wait for 30-45 minutes for your turn to see a "technician." Then, sit in a chair and watch an overweight civilian with 13" acrylic fingernails or an 18-year-old scared of his own shadow peck away at an archaic computer for 45-60 minutes, waiting for that golden moment when you finally get to enter your new (not new) pin into the keyboard twice (and then twice again when the tech pushes the wrong button and needs you a do-over.)

    These two processes contrasted so sharply I can't help myself:

    I got a pop-up a few days ago when I signed in to the company system to trade the trip I was scheduled to fly for one that better fit my personal whims at the time. (No requirement to as Top 3...or any other human being...for permission on the schedule change.) The system said the ID would be delivered to my Chief Pilot's Office this month. (I hadn't even realized that it was going to expire.) "Good deal," I thought, "I'll have to look for that in a few weeks." As I was walking past the CPO to start work today I figured I might as well stop on by...on the off chance it's already there. Sure enough! Hand the secretary my old card, put the new one on my lanyard. Done.

    Wait! No forms to sign? No new picture required? No waiting? And this gets me into some of the most strictly secured infrastructure in the world?

    Yep, have a good day! (Big smile.)

    Pay: far better
    Flying: far more
    Time at work: far less
    Overall life stress and frustration: lower, beyond compare

    This job doesn't suck.”

    • Like 1
    • Upvote 2

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    9 hours ago, Tank said:

    currently 5 from the bottom and can only hold reserve (I’m in year 3 currently).  The company is supposed to ramp up hiring and I’m hoping they start growing my base so that I can be a line holder.

    Was this self-inflicted based on your aircraft selection?  If you bid the 787 at the earliest opportunity, I don't have a lot of sympathy for your plight.

    "For your information, you stuck it in your own ass!"

    Image result for me myself and irene you put it in your own ass meme

    • Haha 1
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