El-Fist

Unbelievable. Three teens "bored" so they randomly shoot and kill a guy. The youngest was 15. That's plenty old enough to know right from wrong. If there is any justice, these three little bastards will spend the rest of their lives being "bored" with daily ass raping in big boy prison. Wait, people frown at that? Even when concealed under one of those red blankets?

I'm speculating? Your kind of painting all cops with a broad brush, aren't you? You don't know a thing about those cops. Because there are a few videos on Youtube of cops beating he hell out of someone, doesn't make them all bad. Are there bad ones? Of course. There are some damn good ones too. Were you there? Standard media twist. There is only a small clip of video. I'm sure that small clip doesn't show the whole situation. Agree for the most part. This is up for the courts to decide. Bottom line, cops told them to move and they didn't and won a free trip to county. Let a judge decide if this was a lawful move by the police, or not. Just because some know-it-all curbside lawyer is shouting about his first amendment rights, doesn't mean he is lawfully entitled to his actions. I guess we'll see.

I think the cops were very professional, and gave these protesters more than ample opportunity to disperse and take the demonstration elsewhere. They were disrupting the flow of traffic, infringing on the free movement of other citizens. They don't have the right to do this. Most demonstrations also require a permit. I'm not sure if they had one or not, but I doubt it. This increasing movement of "curbside lawyers" thinking they are experts on their constitutional rights gets old. Are there times when cops overstep their line? Of course, but this isn't an example of that. You seem to suggest that it is wrong when someone disobeys a lawful order from a cop to get "choke slammed." What is the alternative? (In my opinion that wasn't a "choke slam," nor an excessive use of force.) Should the cop just say "sure" and leave when someone isn't complying with lawful orders or requests? Hell no. They need to establish and maintain control of the situation. The cops don't have all day to sit around and debate with some curbside lawyer about what their rights are. That isn't their job. Their job is to maintain peace and order. Either you disperse as requested, or refuse to do so and go to jail and let the courts determine what your rights were in that particular situation. The majority of these curbside lawyers don't know shit about what their rights actually are.

Awesome idea, until somebody drops a barbell on their throat at 0300. Once that happens, like LJ said, we'll have multiple CBT's on spotting and videos on Combat Wingmen Workout Programs. Armed with nothing but pride and a rape whistle.

Certainly not a dig at you, chim but just want to expand. Sure there are "some" limitations to RPA's. For example, if the wind shifts and you need to change runways, you may as well scrap the mission because it becomes a f#$king nightmare to change the taxi plan, not to mention, shutting down the rest of the airfield, and royally pissing off ATC who is clearing the airspace for this POS. (I can't speak for all RPA's, just one particular I had the pleasure of working with...) I guess that would be a limitation. Don't forget if the WX is less than VMC, there is a chance of an icy cloud or turbulence, mission is done. That seems like a limitation. The whole permissive environment thing comes to mind but that's been beaten to death. As long as we keep our conflicts with shitheads with livestock, mopeds, and IED's, we'll do fine with more RPA's. If you call "very capable" able to stay airborne for 22 hours with broke ass sensors getting shitty (or no) imagery that costs more than the manned version with a fraction of the product quality and reliability, then yes, I guess you could call them "very capable." Just my thoughts. Not a dig at RPA drivers at all. I do get that there are certain things that the RPA brings to the table that is an awesome compliment to the manned platforms. What drives me effen nuts is that Big Blue is subscribing more and more to the idea that RPA's could be the answer to everything.. Not true... never will be.

I punched very recently. I was at the 12 year mark. It wasn't because I hated AD, leadership, or my job. In fact, I loved the job. My thing was I wanted to call my own shots, live where I wanted to live, and I had no desire to go to staff, or PCS anymore. I was ready to grow some roots. I also figured if I was going to have a bit of a pay cut for a while, now was the time to do it. (Kid's are young and I don't have much debt.) I was fortunate enough to have an ANG gig lined up in my hometown, so that will help with the $$ for a while. Plus, I didn't want to totally give up "the life" and serving in some capacity. I don't have another job quite yet, but I do believe that there will be some opportunity in the airlines coming up. Sure, it may not the "hiring boom" some are suggesting but if I am fortunate enough to land a job, I think there is a better chance to gain seniority now than there has been in quite some time... I get it, it's not a perfect industry, and I am not stupid enough to think that I'll be sitting in the right seat of a FedEx jet in a few months, but I'm pretty sure I'll find something to do... I have ZERO regrets at this point, and I'm VERY happy with the decision. I've seen my family more in the last three months than I have in the past decade. I've been hanging out at the beach, drinking, and having a hell of a summer just doing shit I like to do. Sure, there's some uncertainty ahead, but I'm confident things will be just fine without the security of AD. Hey, if the bottom completely falls out of my plan, I can just come back to AD because the manning plan is so fu%*ed up, I may even score a huge sign on bonus! Good luck to anyone else getting ready to make the decision...

The same good hands that ran a SERB, RIF, and a voluntary recall to AD within the same year? That's the problem. Have you or "P-gon" senior "in-chargers" spent any time in an ops squadron recently? I am thinking no, otherwise you wouldn't have said anything this ridiculous. This goes much further than your information based on hypothetical data you P-gon folks vomit on spreadsheets and call it gospel; and it's more than a few dudes bitching on BODN. A lot of the stuff you read on here is a pretty good representation of what you would hear on a larger scale in the squadrons. Sure, I don't really buy the mass exodus or massive airline boom either. Believe it or not, pilots look outside the airlines for jobs. There are some pretty lucrative opportunities out there if you look in the right places, or if you have the motivation and drive to work for yourself... Bottom line, there may not be a massive exodus, but I think you are going to many more high quality dudes/duddets saying "FU" and taking the 7-day opt and getting out when an RPA or exec "opportunities" come up. It will eventually turn in to a manning problem and that "senior leaders not being worried in the slightest" will turn into a knee-jerk shit storm... Like having a simultaneous SERB, RIF, and voluntary recall to active duty... Oh, and Stop Loss...

Hate to admit it but he's probably right. I see a lot of dudes stomping around saying they are done and getting out as soon as they possibly can. Once that opportunity to depart comes up, many choke and realize it's not an easy decision to let go of all the steady things that come with that AD teet. Unless people really do start talking with their feet, I think it will be business as usual. There will likely be some knee jerk incentives thrown out there, and perhaps some shuffling folks around for a bit but I think a stop loss across the 11X is highly unlikely.

Did mine 6 months ago. My examiner was very cool, but I did get a few questions on the FAR/AIM stuff. I was prepared because I took advantage of the ground training. The ground eval will very likely extend beyond the scope of the aircraft you are flying. I'm not an expert on the PTS or the process, just speaking from my own experience. Not the first time I've heard this. It's great advice.

I would use caution with that method. There is a ton of info to know for the ground eval; things like MEL's, required documents, tons of AIM/FAR, knowledge, etc. Also, I know nothing about the Beech D, but does it have a GPS box you are familiar with? I would personally use the ground school portion of any of these ATP training programs. Typically, they work with a small handful of FAA examiners and are very familiar with their flight profiles, questions they like to ask during the ground eval, pet peeves, etc. Take all of the help (gouge) you can get. Ask the dudes around your squadron what they did... I think it is well worth the 3 days of leave and the $1K you are looking to save to have some instructed prep time. You don't want to bust an FAA check ride because you were cheap, or wanted to save 3 days of leave to sit on the couch in tighty-whities watching the Golf Channel. Just my opinion. Best of luck in whatever path you choose! Cheers, E-F

"Staff Sgt. Amy Weidner, a 15-year-veteran of the Idaho Army National Guard, was released from the Active Guard and Reserve last year after officials learned she was operating a pay-per-view website." This is absolutely absurd. People actually pay for internet porn? Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/07/12/2651547/porn-site-costs-idaho-guardsman.html#storylink=cpy

Couldn't agree more. Apply everywhere, and often. I also see those guys who don't want to work anywhere except FedEx, UPS, etc. That's crazy. That mentality will likely result in an extremely frustrating job search with a high probability of being unemployed. FWIW I have seen some very HIGH QUALITY dudes get told "thanks but no thanks" after an interview. (I have also seen complete tools get hired on their first shot at legacy/package haulers.) You never know. Be willing to accept anything if you are trying to break your way into this industry. I know I am...

If SWA is your way high at the top of your list places you want to work, you have $10K and two weeks to kill, get the type. You will absolutely need it for SWA. I've heard nothing but great things about HPA. I don't know that it would hurt too much to have the type rating since most of the legacy carriers have 73s somewhere in their fleet. As far as the "first choice" issue at the interview, have a reasonable explanation of why you chose to get a 73 type if interviewing with other than SWA. I personally didn't choose the type rating because SWA isn't on the top of my list. I also wanted the quickest and easiest way to be able to check the ATP box... I'm cheap and didn't want to burn two weeks of leave. And I'm lazy. Box.

I used Arizona Flight Training Center in Glendale about 6 months ago. I stayed at Luke which worked out very well. It was pretty much one day of ground school, one prep flight, then check. Very straight forward, done in 3 days. Nothing more than an instrument check with some single engine work. They prepped you very well for the ground eval. No surprises on the ground or check. I think it set me back about $2995. Obviously no type rating, but fast and economical. I would use them again. Good luck, don't wait!

Good indefinitely for military seems like a bit of a stretch. There's a little more to it. It also seems like the type of equipment you operate could be a factor too. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, an applicant for an airline transport pilot certificate or an additional rating to an airline transport certificate may take the practical test for that certificate or rating with an expired knowledge test report, provided that the applicant: (1) Is employed as a flight crewmember by a certificate holder under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter at the time of the practical test and has satisfactorily accomplished that operator's approved-- (i) Pilot in command aircraft qualification training program that is appropriate to the certificate and rating sought; and (ii) Qualification training requirements appropriate to the certificate and rating sought; or [(2) Is employed by the U.S. Armed Forces as a flight crewmember in U.S. military air transport operations at the time of the practical test and has completed the pilot in command aircraft qualification training program that is appropriate to the pilot certificate and rating sought.]

I know this is my second post however, this thread is absolutely miserable. We went from airmen in uniform prancing around in nail polish and finely groomed goatees, to Indian, Mexican, French constitution amendments and Star Trek gifs, . These are probably the top things that I could give the least amount of shits over. Seriously, in that order. (Minus the nail polish and finely groomed goatees in uniform. That shit still pisses me off that it's even up for discussion.) For the love of sweet baby Japanese Jesus please make it stop!

Not sure why I chose this thread as my first post, but here it goes: The problem isn't sexual orientation. It's military bearing. If male SrA Sugarpants feels comfortable rolling into work sporting a finely trimmed goatee and nail polish, we have failed. The fact that this kid wasn't sent home by the first NCO in his chain is a foul. Frankly, I don't give a shit if this kid can simultaneously process a travel claim, un###### DTS, and play Freebird on the piccolo flute through his anus, he needs to uphold basic uniform standards. He's in the military for shit's sake. You represent much more than yourself when you wear the uniform. We all know this. If you want to roller skate through the Castro district armed with a battle Prius and a fannypack full of dicks, that's awesome... Just not in uniform. We need to maintain the image of the US military as a force to be respected and instill the confidence in the general public that we are ready to fight defend at all cost. I can't see where man nail polish fits into that image. I was going tie in the whole argument how really fat people in uniform is basically the same thing, but I've lost the desire to fight. AFA ladies, you can keep your mustaches. That shit is scary and commands respect.