AirGuardianC141747

Commanders normally have contacts/friends at various units, get advice from your unit CC (don’t cross streams). Some places have separate interviews - Non-rated vs Rated boards. They’re interviewing you and you need to understand your interviewing them as well to ensure a good fit. Our unit hosted several of these rated boards and were very successful with folks like yourself. Once hired/accepted, it’s just a matter of scheduling you for your initial airframe course. Units can pressure their HQ’s for extra slots or openings which haven’t been filled during the end of the fiscal year fallouts. (Or just plane no-shows due to life circumstances.)

It’s sad to have seen the foundation of this process being laid out around 2013-15 time frame. AD pressuring the the Guard with a full court press in so many areas we couldn’t keep up (we’re undermanned in staff on so many programs vs Big Blue) and our higher leadership distracted with so many events to let the whole enchilada slip by. Gov shutdowns, Sequestration, limiting flying slots to the ARC as barter material, C-130H units left to hang out in the wind fighting for mission sets, niche missions being pressured, overtaken or dissolved, Long term Caribbean/South America missions being shared/dispersed to the AD, Afghan flight training, mixing of ANG assets from keeper jets to in the pool, etc, etc, etc, it’s “divide and conquer” even though we had the edge politically on many fronts which has been eroded significantly every year. States with more than two or even one unit were and still are under attack. ANG leadership did pushback, we workerbees concurred and promised that a max exodus would ensue at some point if we could not plug the dam. Too many holes, not enough plugs, let alone anything useful to turn the tide as I can see now. Anthrax was one thing, this is another where feet will do the talking unfortunately... I went to an AOC in 2015 and as I was leaving in 2017 the deployment billets which they had always been protected from started to come down. Foundation of wood and rebar constructed 2013-15, cement churned and laid down over units periodically 2015-2017 (backshops) and now the cement is beginning to cover and harden as the new normal 2017-2019. Typical 5 year plan. Sorry we were unable to change hearts and minds of our Leaders which leads to voting by feet. Concur: 20 years and over will split, those with 10-15 years or less depart if they can and 15-19years have the hardest decision to make.

Good info, totally get it SocialD - Thanks! I do very well, but not like Purple or Brown shoes by any means to include the Big 3 and others. Really enjoy the crews and the flying, but compensation most definitely could be better. While there is plenty of money in Cargo, our folks aren’t really seeing it until a new contract is ever finalized - no real target on that. 🤔 I really am that guy flying rubber dog 💩out of Hong Kong 🥴😆😜 who I guess screwed up just that much 👌🏼 ... It’s good to have thick skin in our business and I actually do enjoy going to work if you can really call it that and it’s been all my choice. That’s a good effort at a run on sentence. Every place has its hiccups, Military included. Priorities change and the repercussions are felt all the way down the line and magnified as well. It’s just unfortunate that these “repercussions” are not necessarily unintended/unknown when executed these days. Perception is reality it seems and $$$ drives the train.

On the average units interview candidates twice a year/approximately 6 month intervals. Sometimes only once a year due to budgetary issues/bad years. As mentioned before it’s dependent upon unit manning requirements and how many slots are allocated per fiscal year. Sometimes 1 slot is only available sometimes 2 or 3, etc. Guard Bureau/ANGRC requests a certain amount and may or may not receive all of these slots. These requests are based upon Fighter/Heavy flow requirements/unit inputs. I suspect Reserves or AFRC HQ does the same as we have worked together on such budgetary concerns. Wishing ya’ll the best on your endeavors!

Run into the Widget Pilots on a routine basis overseas on their WB’s and the NWA Capt’s will always let you know how DAL screwed them over left/right/up/down over dinner, a drink or 2 or 3 whatever.... But at the end of the night/AM, they do pay more than their fair share and then some comparatively speaking (my observation is in the Far East predominantly) But then again, I am one of those no money in Cargo ops so maybe it’s cuz they feel sorry for us. Got it, makes sense now!!! More Food and Drink, Make it happen NWA Capt’n - Nearly lost my ramen reading those lyrics, so perfect... Either way, “Delta Moderate is Cargo smooth,” and a free meal is a free meal, gotta love the job. Sorry, I do concur that 120 days or more is Balls... This idea may crumble hopefully and just fail miserably for those Commanders without a pulse. Come on over to the dark side and save or create your lifestyle. At least you are compensated when misery arrives.

Fly what you want to fly. Go slay your dragons early while your younger and full of gusto. Either go fast and furious doing the fighter thang and truly enjoy it, worry about that airline gig later, or $$$ wise - Fly Fast jets, go regionals to accumulate not only quicker, but Part 121 time which undeniably helps secure an airline gig (seniority number earlier perhaps/friends help as well), but is not required. The mobility side runs 90% or greater real world missions on a weekly basis and trains 10% or less of their time. Fighter gurus do their kick butt flying most of the time but maybe 10% real world (meaning actual engagements, as defined by y’all) and train 90% of the time for that close encounter/real world event/deployment preparing to save the world as we know it thankfully. I am definitely off base on the exact percentages, but not way off as (having been privy/leading teams at the NGB/ANGRC) to how the flying hour programs were divided among units using O&M dollars annually / POM cycle. The differences between flight hours for training / RAP, etc and actual mission hours (different colors of $ per say) varies significantly on unit mission assignment at times. That being said, hours don’t accumulate like heavies as they drone for hours from A, B, C, D, etc. You want to fly fighters, do that work and fly fast and the rest will work itself out. You will have Fighter Pilot/Airline contacts in your unit and off the reservation. All Military pilots with good record are highly sought after and the airlines sources are dwindling...

I guess “rolling up” the flight engineer during the later half of Atlantic crossings back in the day is not good? Literally duct taping them to their chair on the flight deck while asleep and hitting the gear warning or fire test switch lights/bells to wake’m up... Seemed humorous although it teaches one to stay on the job, but then again there weren’t any safe/quiet spaces on board either... Definitely and arguably the good O’l days.

Herkbum perfectly got that right. I retired about 18 months ago when I was 48 one month prior to my required test date (proper planning) - Phew! Getting older was tough for me as you had to put up with 10 years stretches of the same run requirements, etc. (weaker as I grew older due to extreme Army/AF training during my early years - my fault for overdoing it). Overall assessment: Introduction of the PC era, ever changing PT criteria, Don’t ask, don’t tell/gender complexities, and the introduction of Face Book to Govt computers are more avenues for them to cancel your employment. My conspiracy theory = Amazing weed out programs! And of course the latest use of “lack of confidence” when folks just can’t Command or dare I say can’t get along... Commanders being removed/fired quite a bit these past few years.(Besides the ones who deserve it/or do we suck more?) Easy answer: Don’t Suck! Glad I didn’t have to do my that next PT Test, I would have sucked - perfect timing.

Great post Loach. I did pretty much the same. Pure AD, GS-13(on long term MPA until 1095/1440 waivers quit) ADOS, MPA, AGR, STAT TOURs... As mentioned before, it is not an easy endeavor to attain a full AD retirement within AFRC or the ANG Reserve Components but possible with some “ STRATEGERY “ - Bush II. Attaining an AGR position is one of the best methods, but if you can do the pain - Statutory Tours are very amiable but may require a move plus Staff work. Plenty of pain, but well worth the gain now facing forward looking back from the airline world. A true blessing during the transition from blue to gray.

My apologies, I am also honored and proud of those who are below 20 years or planning to serve... Thank You for your relentless efforts.

Airline hiring projected to continue at maximum effort as retirements are through the roof at most. Always good to have a PT Guard/Reserve gig just in case your near the bottom of the seniority list. It was also fun for awhile having the Military hero work with your friends flying your keeper jets and then back to the other world. AGR gigs were scarce after 911. Always a cyclic event. Those who continue after 20, I thank you for your servitude/patriotism-nationalism. Ya’ll make us proud!

Definitely, but our airline gig is not so savvy in this area as all the others. No trip trades or give aways unfortunately. Burn vacation, get sick or fly the trips awarded. Or just go somewhere else. Doh...

While there are many units that will not consider a twice passed over individual, there have been cases of at least one unit (probably a few more) that have. Circumstances during ones career may impede an individuals ability to promote. Size of unit/competition, RIF, unit mission, OPRs not having been properly filled/routed/or even a buttdart Commander, but perhaps timing maybe the culprit. We heavily scrutinized an individual and despite the pass overs (he even was given an end date/leave the military in 6 months) we hired him having fully vetted the historical data. We fortunately found the right person for the right niche job based upon their training, knowledge and experience which has paid dividends for our unit and continues. It is fairly obvious most of the time when an individual has failed to promote because they are not meeting or exceeding standards. Your unit must do the leg work if they are so inclined. Granted, if there are a plethora of highly qualified candidates, then timing will not be in your favor...

As matmacwc said, stick to the coastal defense / alert units for longevity sake. Regarding unit conversions (very unfortunate at times) its a very political arena and you get water boarded til you comply - Eagles to Herks (Montana). Or from Vipers to Reapers (Boys from Syracuse) - These are just examples and I am not picking on anyone so forgive me for bad memories. Despite being a heavy lifter almost from the get go, I have worked/seen a few unit transitions from the pointy nose world to us trash haulers and they are far from smooth like Duck mentioned. And the most current mess from fighter to lift and now possibly something else to meet “the needs” of the Air Force (PRANG) - and the list will go on forever. Like real estate dictates “location, location, location” - buyer be ware - it’s longevity, longevity, longevity if your stove piped with your mindset to a particular weapon system or an actual flying gig. Good luck with all your endeavors and understand the workload, dedication and commitment like Guardian mentioned.

We = Atlas Air. So much for remaining anonymous, but good question good sir! 🤪

I was an age waiver recipient just about 20 years ago (pre 911) and 1 of 2 approved during that fiscal year so things were tough to say the least. Switched to the ANG as a 7 year AD Maintenance Officer when the age limit just changed from 27.5 to 30. I was 31 in UPT thanks to my ANG unit; just happy to have butter bars teaching me and soaking it all in. I worked on staff at the Guard Bureau/ANGRC just a few years ago and watched age waivers getting approved at an increasing rate. The rates increased due too massive airline hiring/constant unit deployment issues since 2012/13ish so things should continue as the USAF is hurting as a whole. 11F (Fighter) and 11M (Mobility) were/are disappearing at an alarming rate with the airline hiring wave and this shortage will continue as company requirements (Total Hours/PIC Time/Degrees) have decreased significantly. Military pilots are being sought after with a vengeance for the most part if you have regency of experience. We have hired 24, 25, 26 year olds to fly our 767, 747s which is a good indicator of current events... Timing is everything and the Military/commercial arena is a cyclic event. *I concur with Duck. I had sleep apnea in the USAF and regained my flight status after fulfilling the medical requirements.

That is Painful Duck, so sorry to hear about this and may your pain be brief as possible. Based upon others I have flown with: 1. Push as fast and hard to get it done and over. Get your life back straight and level. 2. House is a normal loss/buy out. Lucky no retirement to lose at this juncture. 3. I know it’s hard, but consider yourself lucky timing wise as you are at the beginning of an airline gig = lowest pay!!! Imagine being a 12-15 year 76, etc Airline Captain pulling in an avg $360K annually or more. Super unfortunate, but you may have dodged a significant financial bullet now vs later.... My friend has remained an FO for 2 years now to keep the courts from using Capt pay to calculate alimony. XWife to be has been pushing him out his apartment door to fly overtime AND also pushing him to sign up for Capt, hence she is dragging the divorce out... He lives in FL. Stay strong for your kids AND stay strong for you! Godspeed!