HuggyU2

Update for those at CBM interested in a potential U-2 career: We hope to arrive Thursday morning. 14th FTW should be setting up a location in one of the flying squadrons for us to answer questions and talk about the U-2... probably Thursday afternoon. Maybe Friday morning also. Happy to talk 1-on-1 anytime during the weekend. Just track us down. And if you want to see why the T-38A is way more awesome than the T-38C, come take a look.

It was about five pages in because of limited recent activity. Here you go...

If you are a member of AOPA, you may be able to get free advice from their medical staff. Not positive... but give them a call if you're a member.

I'm a Paul Harvey fan.

12-15 months for me.

First flight will depart Palmdale late this year.

Lord Ratner is right. Simply look at the Railway Labor Act and how it is used to prevent airline strikes.

Attention Columbus AFB IP's and student pilots... Beale will be bringing a T-38A to the Columbus AFB Airshow next month. The plan is to get there Thursday, and have an informal meeting Friday for anyone interested in learning more about the U-2 Program. No rent-a-crowd... the only people that will be there should be pilots interested in learning more about a U-2 career. Myself and Lt Col "Ghost" will be there. Ghost is the U-2 FTU DO, and will become the 99 RS/CC around June. He was a former T-38 IP at CBM 18 months ago and flew the U-2 previous to that. If you won't be available Friday morning, you simply need to let me know and I can arrange for us to meet at the airshow on Saturday and chat. As mentioned, happy to talk to student pilots also. We can't get you for at least 4 years, but knowledge is power. Drop me a pm if interested.

The pilot flying the first flight of the X-59 is a friend and former U-2 pilot. I plan to go down there for that first flight. "First flights" are pretty rare these days, compared to 70 years ago. From what he can tell me about the aircraft and the research leading up to it, it's very interesting. NASA also used a YO-3A and TG-14 for a lot of the data gathering. It's neat stuff.

LOL wut? Is there no one in your squadron that you know that is getting out or has gotten out? Are any of them your friends? If so, you should speak to them.

Butters! It is good to see you back! I have not seen a post from you in a very long time.

True, but have you tried playing the audio backwards and listening?

Frontier and Spirit pilots are both represented by ALPA... so the seniority integration should go silky smooth.

Follow the science.

Haha... Hacker, it is good to see you doing what you were always meant to do. And finish your damn book!!!

Thread creep, but we had a U-2 guy that said if he was in a plane going down and knew he couldn't get out, he would unstrap... and right before impact he would shove his pencil right up his ass. Why? To give the AF accident board something to think about.

Good info. Thanks.

The claim is has come from some former VFA skippers, one of whom claims to have heard the PLAT audio. A Navy skipper who is a friend of mine vouches for him. But until that audio is released, it won't get much traction.

Y'all should drop him a note. https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-rhatigan-1814b622

Disgruntled, I have no idea if you're accurate. All I know is my QOL at UAL is great. My goal is "time off" and "schedule", not "money" or "premium pay". I will never be the guy that get's $100,000 in a month. All I want to do is fly to Hawaii and back. When I retire at 28 years with the company, I'll likely not be able to hold wide body captain. And I'm good with that. I was hired at the end of the wave. I jumpseated with a 51 year old 777 Captain last month, and when I ran "the calculator", I discovered he will retire as the #3 pilot at UAL. Timing is everything, I suppose. I can't speak to the SWA schedule or QOL. My buds there love it. When you turn 65 years old, let us know how it turns out for you. 🥃

My guess is he is referring to a U-2 cockpit environment. My understanding is those dork-suits were one-time use, throw them away. Despite the sarcasm of my post (yes, I know you're shocked), realize that I will go speak to the pressure suit specialists at Beale, and try to reply here with a factual answer. Don't hold your breath. I'm a part-timer.

Which would you choose?

Where is this Rhat guy now?

Recommend you never say the phrase "sleep apnea" around anyone. Ever.

Please please tell me you had a great reply to his question that nearly gave him an aneurism.