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Wang Wei

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Posts posted by Wang Wei

    Runaway Toyotas

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    I agree with you to an extent but I'm seeing very different estimates of exactly how many cars have been recalled. The OP's news story claims 8.5 million worldwide recalls with over 6 million in the US. If that's true, it would at least be in the top 4 of the top 10 list you posted. Where'd you get your number of 2.3 million cars number M2? Just wondering.

    On a related note, my pops is in the market for a replacement to his '01 Camry and is debating whether to pay a lil extra for the peace of mind and roll over to Honda for the new Accord or pick up the 2010 Camry. Opinions?

    I also called the insurance company to check the rates on the new Camrys and they haven't changed any of their charges since the Toyota recalls went public.

    I have heard that the newer 4 cyl's are not as reliable as the older models. I'm not too sure about the V6's. I would have no reservations buying a new Camry safety wise, but I feel that the fit and finish of the Accord is better then the Camry at this point (especially the interior).

    I have a '98 Camrey with a V-6 that will probably outlive me.

    T-38 Instructors at Beale and Whiteman

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Thanx for the info, Does any one know if its mostly contact and x coutries or do the 38's at beale also do form

    Here's an old post of Huggy's from Flight Info (circa 2005):

    Everyone gets a basic checkout before they start U-2 training. It consists of instrument training and contact (VFR patterns, emergency patterns/landings, aerobatics, flight characteristics, traffic pattern stalls, etc...). Once checked out, you can go on cross-countries to improve skills, work on various nav events, etc... The cross-countries leave on Friday and return Monday. We can go to most any airfield that has a gov't contract, tower, and 8000 feet. Most pilots get a basic low-level checkout, which allows you to fly VFR point-to-point at 1000', or to fly on a Military Training Route at up to 420 KIAS at 500' (actually, we have restricted ourselves to 1000' AGL).

    Finally, you can get a formation checkout. This is difficult, since the average line pilot is only home for 2-3 months, and there is a lot to do during that time. Finding the time to work hard on the formation training can be tough. If you have formation time from a previous aircraft, that helps a lot.

    About half the pilots here didn't fly the T-38 in UPT, so when they come back from a 70 day TDY, they just like to focus on getting their single-ship skills honed back to the way they were before they left.

    As a T-38 IP, it's a great deal. I get to fly the full spectrum, and a great deal of two- and four-ship formations. Our depot is at Holloman AFB, so we go back and forth to there to pick up jets that have been overhauled or painted.

    Does that cover your ??? If not, drop me a follow up.

    Vicodin and drug-screen

    in Aviation Medicine

    Posted

    I have my FC1 in 1 week. Last week, I had my wisdom teeth pulled and was prescribed Vicodin for pain and Amoxicilin for antibiotics. I was under general anesthesia, so I was also given Valium and some IV sedatives (Demerol, Midazolam) on the morning of the surgery.

    I know that Vicodin is a narcotic...will this cause a problem on the drug-screen? I don't know much about drugs...what about the other drugs like the Valium or Midazolam?

    I stopped taking Vicodin the morning after the surgery b/c Advil worked better. It'll be 2 weeks exactly between my last dose of Vicodin and the morning of my FC1. I have a letter from my dentist that explains the procedure and lists all of the medications and dosages administered....I'm worried about this being a big PITA. Should I be worried? Should I do anything else besides bring this letter with me?

    It is not likely that the drug screen will detect the Vicodin, as Hydrocodone (the synthetic opioid in Vicodin), is typically below detectible levels in 1 to 6 days. The Valium, on the other hand, likely WILL be detectable.

    It is in your best interest to disclose everything - with documentation. In addition to the letter, I would recommend you bring copies of any official documentation (medical coding claims forms, your medical records that your dentist keeps, etc.) I don't know if they have a means of accepting them at the FC1, but it sure won't hurt if you have them.

    Military Retirement Pay / Pension

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    C-21,

    I was doing my calculations based on the 26 yr MSgt example, assuming he started his career at 29, and lives to 75.

    We're all doing apples to oranges comparisons. What it all comes down to is this - the longer you live, the more valuable a pension becomes, expressed in today's dollars. So don't go out and get yourself killed.

    The military is probably the last place where a blue collar guy (enlisted) can put in his 20 years enjoy a guaranteed pension.

    The one better deal I know of is big city police and fire department pensions. Typically, they retire at a % of base pay that is a function of the years they have in (ie - 30 years = 100%, 25 years = 80%, and so on). The trick they use is to PILE ON THE OVERTIME your last year, as the pension is based on what they earn the last year they work!

    Military Retirement Pay / Pension

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Originally posted by pcola:

    I don't buy it.

    I agree that a military pension is very valuable - but not that valuable. The author is conveniently neglecting interest accrual in their calculations. I'm too lazy to do the actual math right now to come up with an actual number about how much you would need to sustain a $30K income, but a quick calculation tells me that its not a million bucks. If you had $1,000,000, you could split that up into several different federally insured savings account and earn 5% and be 100% safe. That would bring in $50k/year. With a bit more risk you could leave it invested in mutual funds and expect to earn around 10% which would bring in $100,000/year (duh) without ever touching the principle.

    I'm not knocking the value of the military pension, I plan on having one. But $30K per year is not the same as having a million bucks in the bank.

    Don't forget to add the military pension cost of living adjustments into the equation.

    EDIT:

    Turns out your right - I ran the numbers - $30K a year (year 1) payout over 30 years, with 2.5% per year cost of living increase per year, assumming 5% return, is worth about $600,000 in todays dollars.

    [ 01. February 2007, 18:26: Message edited by: Wang Wei ]

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