brabus

And don’t compare the Army to the AF - things are done much differently.

I had a blast in my 11 years of AD, but I had a lot of good timing and luck with assignments and commanders. The guard has been phenomenal and much better than AD, even considering my admittedly good run in the AD. There is so much less BS in the guard, you know what you’re flying (vs. hoping it works out and you don’t have poor luck on assignment night), and it’s probably in a location you enjoy living. My opinion is go guard until your age puts you at a disadvantage (late 20s), then go AD. 1) You’re correct, it’s going to be harder to do non-standard things in the ARC, but a common misconception is you’re “stuck” for a full career at one squadron doing the same thing. There are absolutely opportunities to go do test, live in Europe, go back to UPT, change airframes/units, do a staff job, go to Weapons School, teach at Weapons School, etc. There’s a reserve B-2 squadron and I think there’s at least one or two U-2 reservist (someone correct me if I’m wrong on that). Point is a hell of a lot more “change it up” opportunity in the ARC than people think. 2) That’s not the mold, just some people. Tons of dudes fly their ass off in the guard and don’t work for an airline. At least in the fighter world, you will be expected to give 5-7 days a month as a part timer. Most guys live local, so I’ve seen many part timers flying 10+ sorties a month. I can’t speak for other communities, but we are very far from the “one weekend a month” side of the guard. There’s also plenty of opportunity to stay full time if you don’t want another civ job - you can’t plan on it of course, but I’ve never seen a guy who wanted to be full time not be kept full time through one of many avenues.

Aside from the two guys who sued DAL, and a host of 10% true stories, I’d say this is inaccurate, at least in the last several years. DAL doesn’t give a shit about MLOA stuff just as much as the next guy. Anyone who does catch actual flak from any of the big companies is likely doing egregiously shady shit. I think literally every “non-friendly to MLOA” story I’ve heard about any airline is complete bullshit. Job-hunting guys out there should factor this subject exactly 0% in their decision-making process.

That sounds incredibly awful. Why is that relevant (future capes is not a rational answer).

Probably should copy that to the bonus thread, just in case someone is still considering shooting themselves in the foot.

I think another big reason for the wave in FL is all the people who have moved there in the past couple years fleeing dumpster fire states ran by Dems. They know how bad it is to live in a state with shit policies, so they voted accordingly. I really hope Desantis runs and Trump exits stage right (forced if required). The biggest problem besides his ego preventing a clean exit is the 60+ crowd in the GOP who keep feeding his ego. They are equally responsible for continuing to push the “Trump 2024” mantra.

Fair assessment. My statement on age comes from my own experiences in two states (in the recent years where I’ve become far more active in the community). The GOP groups are predominantly 60+ year old people who fit the description of “angry old white man” or “granny with a shotgun.” They simply cannot relate, nor communicate, with generations younger than them. A lot of it is not even due to a disagreement in values or cultural views (some of it is, don’t get me wrong), it’s their inability to prioritize things and accept cultural shifts. “Old man yelling at cloud” doesn’t sell to the 35 yr old with 3 kids. The older generation also seems to have a difficult time separating personal morality with law. Lots of things I completely disagree with morals-wise, but should my moral opinion dictate law in all cases? The answer in my conservative mind is no, but the answer is a resounding yes in many of the 60+ minds. The younger batshit crazy ones are those who think the “old way” is still THE way. They’ve been brainwashed enough, but many of us have not. It’s up to us to get this train back on the tracks.

As a conservative, I 100% agree with Pooter. The quality GOP candidates handed ass. The low quality candidates lost embarrassingly. Quality matters, even McConnell said it, of all people. The GOP is run by old people who appeal to…old people. It’s time for conservatives under 50 (hell I’ll take under 60), to take control of this shitshow (especially at local levels) and actually bring policies and plans to the people that they care about/want. There are millions of conservatives out there who I believe offer substantially better ideas than their Dem counterparts, but those individuals need to step up and lead - time for Grandpa and Grandma to step back and let those of us who don’t live in 1950 take a swing at the plate.

All these years later, my wife still reminds me about the stupid money/time suck of my younger self’s obsession with classic muscle cars (she’s not wrong). Somehow she hasn’t correlated this to airplanes - better lucky than good as they say. Just adding some levity to the fact you should follow the advice above…at least for a few years.

Your orders will say training on them. Sounds like your prospective company’s policy only “pays out” for named operations. So I would not count on any pay until the point you’re taking part in a named operation (including ONE).

It’s a trend item for me, why would you drive anything else!?

I only drink the finest when on OC layovers!

Wow a whole 1 day pass to inject something into my body that I don’t need, sign me up!

Sounds like he’s perfectly qualified to be an American politician.

Sorry man, that was a generic “your,” not an actual comment on FourFans’ v1 cut performance. But I see how it came off that way. My bad. “Don’t piss off the union” - absolutely, and that’s common sense. Airlines are a union job, so regardless of one’s opinions on unions in general, just accept you’re going to be part of one and ask your indoc bros (who came from another 121 job) questions about all the things you don’t understand. All of this can easily be accomplished without delving into RLA-specific knowledge. And if someone actually steps on their dick in indoc with the union (never once have heard of that), then they’re one of those ultra low SA types who were going to make life hard for themselves regardless.

Zero impact for not knowing a single bit of the RLA when I started flying the line. This is like arguing B-Course studs should have a working knowledge of the NDS prior to TR-1. But the great part is this is all subjective and people can feel free to study whatever they want. I’m sure the sim IPs will be impressed with your RLA knowledge after your multiple failed attempts at V1 cuts.

Local level is where you get the most bang for your buck. The public school system is a disaster - but it’s a good example of something local that regular people need to step up and run for. We have to rid our local boards, councils, etc. of all the shitty people. If we don’t, we get exactly what we deserve.

Deciding if you want the industry, talk to bros currently doing it and get multiple perspectives. The best learning on company stuff, contract, schedule/QOL/pay management, etc. is in cruise or a few beers deep at the bar. But, learn the RLA before getting hired? GTFO.

And it’s Panton blue, how unsurprising!

Generally agree with Prozac above. Though currently the dem party is way further off the rails than the GOP; they’re actions, policies, and words are not defensible in any rational way. But to Prozac’s point, in no way does that mean it couldn’t be the GOP way off the rails in X years. The zero sum game ideology is crushing us.

I know it’ll never happen, but all it would take is the pilot groups to not pickup premium trips for probably a few days - it would be a systemic meltdown of epic proportions. Management would capitulate immediately. But they know that’ll never happen, so they don’t worry about it. Not a spear at those taking premium, as it’s illogical not to, considering those individuals also know the mass “don’t do it” won’t ever happen.

There’s been several statements recently from those on the wrong side of history that go something like, “let’s just all move on and let bygones be bygones, we only did/said things based on our understanding at the time. Let’s just forget about it all!” Yeah, fuck you. I will not forget, and I hope everyone else doesn’t either. If you demonized others via words (or worse, actions) who called it correctly, but weren’t in line with your thinking at the time - you don’t get a pass because you are still a huge POS. This does not apply to those who remained respectful and maintained human decency despite differing viewpoints.

I’ll just say it - a lot of people had these same thoughts when younger, but they won’t admit it out loud while simultaneously throwing out “officer first.” They’re correct in that statement, but it’s not so black and white, and that’s OK. I understand where you’re at/coming from. I won’t rehash in detail, as Oface is correct about a lot of info in the “archives,” but big pic… AD - If looking at OTS route, you can decline any “offer,” so you’re not stuck. There’s a lot more details on that you’ll have to go read yourself. ROTC/USAFA is not a guarantee, but ultimately my opinion is those who should get a pilot slot typically do, with minor exceptions. ANG/AFRC - “Guaranteed,” but you have to get hired. That is a very competitive process and definitely risk of not making it. Go read about it. My opinion - Try for ANG, AFRC, AD in that order. Once you’re getting “old” on the interview circuit, consider putting your hat into the AD ring. Regardless of which component you may go to, be good with being a non-flying officer for at least 4 years, as there’s lots of hurdles to stumble over on your way to being a MR wingman or co-pilot.

For every useless “chief” there’s an equally useless O-6+. I don’t get the feeling MAJCOM, CAF vs. MAF, etc. really changes that in any appreciable way. Generally it seems when dudes go E-8/O-6+, many get that fabled “lobotomy,” and only a few remain mission-oriented bros. The guard is far better than AD with this subject.