SocialD

Old recycle, but always a good one.

I have nothing to add on the military side, other than to say best of luck to @Bode on a tough decision. However, the bolded above may not be the case. I think FDX/UPS are both hiring and there are strong rumors (potentially to be announced this week) that DAL will need to hire a large number of pilots for summer 2022 flying. Both UAL and DAL are projecting summer 2022 flying to be at 85-95% capacity of 2019 numbers. If Bode has the time before making a decision, I think the next few weeks/months may be illuminating wrt the airlines. I can't disagree with you on the CARES stuff.

We have quite a few part timers on base that are full time LEO'S. In the last 5 years or so, quite a few of them have left their LEO gigs for full time spots at the base. Almost every one of them says the same thing...you're one edited cell phone clip away from fired or worse. None of them felt like their bosses had their backs if anything hit the media. They all seem to think it's just not worth the risk anymore. I respect the hell out of them, but I don't envy the ones that remain.

Well true, there are hustles to be had everywhere...but I'm speaking strictly QOL without having to "hustle," especially for commuters. There is a reason guys get on a WB and don't upgrade until they can move to the left seat. Same reason we see guys bid off NB Capt back to WB FO. It's truly like working for an entirely different airline, and it's also a great place for commuters. Even reserve (at DAL anyway), is a great deal...so much so that often times even the plug gets (sometimes forced into) a line because so many senior guys bid reserve. Even on short call on a WB, I'd go fly my cub around...can still get cell signal at 500 ft lol. But since you brought it up, on months I bid a line, I'd do the same thing. I'd drop my entire schedule to zero, then pick up more efficient trips. Generally for me that meant a 4-day trip that was actually 3 days of work due to being able to deviate DH on the front or back end. Most months I'd just do 9 days of actual work, while being paid for an additional 4 days (~63 hours total). I'm more of a days off type of guy...63 hours is more than enough for me. At DAL, due to staffing, it's generally MUCH harder to drop your entire schedule on a NB fleet.

I'm sure you've heard this before, but if you choose to go to the airlines, you'll want to get to a wide body ASAP. It's about as close to retirement as you can get while still gainfully employed.

Just got the first shot and that night I slept for a solid 12 hours. Next day I had some body aches, 800mg motrin solved that. A squadron mate was down for the count for a day or two. Hoping shot two doesn't take me down long since I'll be in the midst of airline training.

I wasn't NQ, just a Guard fighter guy not getting enough hours and ended up at regional. I actually had a good time, but then again I was home based, flew with Captains my age (mid-late 20s) and the FAs were mostly in the early 20s....good times. Pay sucked, but I had lots of fun and learned a lot about the airline world. That airline (Compass) is now no more...if you have to go to a regional, Skywest is probably your best bet. It's the most important part of the contract. To add to the thread, there seems to be more and more traction on bringing people back (and maybe hiring later this year), but we (DAL) may get more information later this week from a town hall. Basically the airlines are expecting to be ~90% of pre-covid capacity by summer of 2022. As Hacker eluded to early, the early outs will be a big help to get hiring kicked off as we recover. In many (domestic) categories at Delta, there are TONS of overtime trips going out every day. Some of that is because guys are NQ due to landings, part of it is because we have too many people out on UNA. Either way, after your apps are put in at FDX/UPS, update your other apps...barring any major resurgence/pandemic part deux, hiring could happen fast and furious.

It wasn't an AGR spot, but it was promised orders (from a previous boss) for 3 years. Dude literally broke the news to me while I was in-processing from said deployment. Pulls me aside and says, "we're changing things up a bit, but you can apply for the tech (GS-12 Step 1) that we'll be opening up soon...Oh, and thanks for volunteering for that deployment." This was a watershed moment in my career, where I went from "maybe airlines after mil," to 100% airlines. So much so that I said fuck you and went regional to get hours. In hindsight, I probably owe that guy a beer because I firmly believe I was hired so early in the wave because of my regional time, on top of my mil time. In the end, it all worked out as I love my airline gig more than I enjoyed being full time. But I definitely keep that in the back of my mind any time I make decisions wrt the military, and why I'll never be full time again.

Having spent a few months in Tallinn, Estonia, I can attest to the above post! Just be carful not to catch the High-Five!

Highly dependent upon leadership within your unit. Does your squadron leadership have a hard-on that all drills are mandatory? Are your currencies monthly or quarterly? As Chida said, when you chat with the Bob's, be sure to have a solid plan to how you'll meet all your currencies. There is really no legal/enforceable requirement to live within X miles of a squadron, so the world is your oyster. That said, it sure does make life ridiculously easier wrt Guard duties/time at home. If you have a dream location that will keep the family happy, then consider looking at squadrons closer to that location. If they hire you, most leaders don't have a problem letting guys go. Switching units is not all that uncommon and often works better for everyone. One thing to keep in mind is that, just because the current boss allows it, doesn't mean the next boss will. I once volunteered to deploy with another unit and was told my full time job would be there when I got back. When I got back, we had a new OG (from outside the unit) and I suddenly didn't have that job anymore. This was the day my views on the military drastically changed, and why I'm now and airline guy/DSG. Noone cares about you, more than you...remember that as you make life decisions throughout your career. Goodluck!

Inside, ok...but walking by yourself in an open area? Like I said, we've lost our minds.

Recently witnessed a SMSgt yelling at a people who weren't wearing a mask while walking BY THEMSELVES. I guess he was just ahead of his time. We've lost our fucking minds.

But we all spent 14 days in Q-town quarantine, so we should all be good to go, right? Or were we just wasting our lives sitting in that mold infested, shithole?

I was enlisted for 5 years and I only knew the CMSAF that I was required to memorize during basic training. After that, I never knew (nor did I care) who the CMSAF was...still don't. For that matter, I honestly couldn't care less who is the current CSAF. Everyone has high hopes/they talk a big game...then nothing really changes. I take that back, there have been plenty of changes, mostly requiring I do more and more work that others should be doing.

Oh good, another down day, that will make a difference... I guess we'll just throw this in the "do something visible," column.

If you're not on instagram, do yourself a favor and set up an account and follow bob_thoughts_69. Dude is on a meme rampage against a B2 idiot who loves making tittok videos of himself. It's down right hilarious. I honestly joined last year just to follow a few mil pilot meme streams as these guys are funny! They're all on a rampage against the Chief as well. Another upside to the gram is that there are hot chicks everywhere who love nothing more than to show you how hot they are.

Awesome writeup Clearedhot! Quick question, did the Columbia (300/350/400) come up in your search? If so, do you glean any insight for/against it? Thanks!

His "chance to talk," was a random, unannounced FB post. None of this impacts me, I'm just calling like I've seen it go down so many times over my career. His post reads like he knows (or thinks) it's not going to be well received and is trying to get ahead of it. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised. Patton would be fired 10x over in todays overly PC military, likely after he told his bosses we're fighting this war like a bunch of idiots. If we're paying our generals to win wars, we should probably take some of that money back.

Meh, 10 years ago SocialD might have agreed with you. After your initial commitment, it can all be boiled down to compensation, either the money they're paying is worth putting up with the BS, or it's not. He would have been better off just saying, the bonus is coming out soon, whether you decide to stay or leave, thank you for your service...the end. No need for the Dad talk.

"You're probably not going to like the new bonus, so do it for god and country...because gosh darn it, we care for you..."

You're not missing much, standard people there. Ones that want nothing to change because "that's the way it's always been." Those that are genuinely trying to convey what's going on (if you read these, it actually seems like it has potential). Then the ones that buckle and turn all their posts into a sir sandwich when a General posts on the thread.

Sooooo....the rumors are true then?

Please do. I was hoping you'd be around to give your two cents. I'm so checked out from news/SM I didn't know about this until this afternoon.

That's not a known right now and I'd expect to see a few of them hiring next year, possibly later this year, though I'm skeptical on that. Either way, here's hoping they keep the shorter bonuses for the ARC, as many can not commit 5+ year bonuses.

But seriously, glad things word themselves out Duck!