SocialD

When 20% of my squadron gets hired within the last 6 months, I'd say the shortage is here. Almost all of them received invites within days of hitting submit. The only ones that didn't get multiple invites/CJOs were the ones that only applied to DAL. One has been at AAL for two years and got interview invites at DAL/FDX/UPS, and is now at DAL after turning down the FDX/UPS invites...that shit is bonkers. My a squadron is now 65% airline guys and I think we have 4 more who are looking to hit submit in the next few months. I suspect they'll get invites quickly after submitting. That would put us at 76% airline...less than a decade ago, we were maybe at 25%. We're living in crazy times.

The one, the only. There has always been some level of disdain toward the ARC, but it appears to be getting worse. Some of my friends in higher places say it's the worst they've ever seen in their careers. Admittedly, it was probably well deserved back in the day, but this ain't your daddies Guard. Hell, it's not even the same Guard I enlisted in 21 years ago. On the flip side, they have no problem sending us their LTs for an assignment to get them experienced. This has the possibility to be a great thing for the Guard as we grow a new generation of AD pilots who gain some understanding of the Guard. However, I'm guessing all we'll see is those guys trying to get back into the Guard as soon as their ADSC is up.

Sounds likes the 2-Star that recently told a group of pilots at Luke the quoted text below (2nd hand info). I think this dude has put his finger right on the issue at hand, expect retention numbers to turn around any day now lol. If you looking in the mirror and say, I'm a fighter pilot first and love being in the bar, then the Guard and Reserve are for you. If you say, I'm an officer first and love serving my country, then there's a place for you in my Air Force...

I don't think in-residence schools count toward the USERRA clock. Doesn't sound like much fun, but something to consider if you get desperate.

I was today years old (hit 21 YOS today) when I learned the term PMCR, which I assume is post mission crew rest? Been ACC (but ANG...probably the difference) the entire time, but if I get home at 0300, there is no way you'll see me at work anytime before 1300. I'm continually astounded at the crazy shit that goes on out there.

Having flown 6 different transport category aircraft (including the 75/76), I don't necessarily disagree that the G/A switch position is less than ideal. However, this jet has been flown free of major incidents like this for decades. Clearly the risk is easily mitigated by proper training/procedures. The bigger issue here is the complete lack of airmanship, which based on the FOs record, doesn't sound like it should be all that shocking. An inadvertent activation of the GA switches should have been a simple thing to recover from, AP/AT/FD - OFF, set known pitch/power setting, reestablish the automation at the level you want. That's basic airmanship shit right there! Linked below is an outstanding video series (might have to click through the recommended videos to get them all...I think 6 videos total). Very dated, but I feel most of his points are even more applicable today. Children of the Magenta

"Soon" as in, "our base will be getting a new OPS building very soon," which they've been saying since I enlisted in 2001 (and we still haven't started with planning)... Or is this something that we actually expect to happen? But seriously, this is the first time I've heard of such a concept. What's the idea/reasoning for such a change?

15 years and the only Q-3 I've heard of was my B-Course roommate who Q-3d his inst check in the B-Course (by a serious reserve Santa Claus...funny story)...he later became a patch. I'm sure if I dug through the squadron FEFs, I might find one or two, but probably not more than that. For the most part, we've always viewed checkrides as just another ride. I know I've had a few downgrades and probably deserved a few more, but I couldn't tell you what they were. They were likely debriefed by myself anyway. I've heard ridiculous stories from my MAF bros about how a Q-3 is used as a punishment for buffonery. This is foreign to us, we just use the ole fear, sarcasm and ridicule method. Temp groundings, blues briefings during academics...stand up in front of the bros and explain how I fucked up. Everyone learns and the point is usually driven home.

Right! It was real fun last week explaining to the loan assumptions department why I had 6 paychecks one month and 1 the next month. So now I just let my 105s stack up and sign them all at once on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Our CSS chick was like, must be nice to not need your paycheck lol.

It's still showing up via a secondary paycheck. Nothing like getting 6-9 pay stubs every month. Don't worry though...I was assured in 2018, that it would all be fixed when DFAS rolls out the new pay system in Jan of 2020...

So I'm listening to a book Accidental Super Power, which pretty much hit on this. Although I haven't finished the book yet, from a book that was written in 2014, he seems to have mostly shacked it on the current Russia vs Ukraine conflict.

The guy who taught me to fly tailwheel was a WW2 tank driver. Dude never talked about his time over there, and as much as I wanted to hear his story, I never brought it up. He did have a shadow box hanging in the hangar, dude had 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars w/V device and a Purple Heart. Most humble and unassuming dude I've ever met. I can't even imagine what he saw/experienced, what a generation!

Pretty quiet on this front, not even a peep so far in the MSM talking heads... Sounds like they hit "close by."

Legend has it that he was out of SAPR currency and had an out of regs stashe. Given that information, I'm not sure how he could have been an effective fighter pilot.

I used 31 months of MGIB-SR in the early 2000s. Talking with multiple VA folks, they say I have to find a way to burn up the remaining 5 months of MGIB, if I want to get the full 12 months of post 9/11 benefit. If I don't burn it (I can't forfeit it), then I'll only get 7 months of post 9/11 GI bill. What a jacked up system. Sooo....anyone know of any 4-5 month programs that cost about $400/month to blow some MGIB? Lol.

No no, its only treasonous to poke fun at the "enlightened" one in office right now.

In this case, I believe you can only use one or the other. If you've already used some of your MGIB, remember you're only eligible for 36 months of any one GI Bill and a total of 48 months of all GI Bill.

Having spent some time there as well, I tend to agree. The Estonians love us and wanted us there big time...though their views may not be shared across the EU.

What are we going to do, send them a letter telling them how mad we are at them?

It took me a few months on the line to feel mostly comfortable with airline flying. Occasionally you'll do something different like fly into places with closed towers, or random other crap that really isn't a big deal, just different. As far as scheduling stuff, you'll have the 90% solution within a 6-9 months. The last 10%, you'll learn as time goes on. I've been at DAL for nearly 8 years and I'm still learning stuff here and there, to include rather big one that I just learned. When some people learn a scheduling trick, they often keep it to themselves and you learn them by accident. Of course things that work on one fleet/base, might not work on another fleet/base, so there is that too. WRT bidding...I was PBS union dude for a while and I still screw myself occasional on my bidding lol. 90% of it is easy, it's just when you get super senior and you start getting picky with your bids, that you can actually screw yourself. The KISS method applies!

Johnny Harris makes great videos. This video didn't disappoint and I'm surprised the NYT endorsed this.

Ya man, you're not getting called without them. Get them done ASAP, I have a squadron mate that's been at a legacy for a few years, he's starting indoc at another airline next week and was called by both UPS and FDX within the last month. If you're ending a typical 10 yr AD stint, you're email should be blowing up. Yup, it's simply a tax. They used to be free, then somewhere around 2005, they started charging for the most worthless piece of paper I carry.

Bad assumption on my part, I just assumed they had mandatory separation date. Misapplication of how orders are done in the ANG. Most orders that I've been on (not all), will NOT be extended to take the leave, they just have a set end date. If you're just working to the date you throw down with, then they slap the leave on after that, you're absolutely right.

Unless you're starting a new job while on terminal, you'll certainly make more by selling it. I've seen it done both ways, depends on what you want, time off or more money to pad the coffers before doing 1st year pay. If you're leaving AD, then the 60 day limit (in a career) applies. But a FYI, assuming you're going into the ANG/RES, and may spend time as a part-timer. This limit does NOT apply to orders less than a year, you can sell back as much of that as you want.

After my last two interactions on an AD base, I'm not sure why anyone would want to live close enough that might require its' use. Such frustrating and painful experiences! On my last visit, it was a 2 month wait for an appointment (non-medical) and I wasn't even helped until 3 hours after my originally scheduled time. Guard base appreciation time!