[The new airline thread]

Never said Face to Face will all go away. You are all definitely correct it can’t be matched on any or many terms and the face to face in discussion was actually traveling somewhere and not across the street to Finance or your local cable/satellite complaint departments. Here is the rub: When has anything like this ever happened like these 6 months now going on 7... Reprogrammed and cost cutting on extreme measures. Totally obvious why Zoom/Skype/Face Time, etc, etc, in business never took off earlier I thought = The World was FORCED into it. Just let me know if/when has it ever become a requirement like now. Has it been ever forced upon you like this? It will eventually loosened its grip and things will flow more and more back to face to face on the business side. Wouldn’t you agree the most important contracts will demand face to face, then others incrementally no doubt as mentioned before. I hope your right and even better than 90% of preCOVID levels will be attained. That would be awesome and definitely what everyone is shooting for, but once again everyone here chose technology prior to this debacle and now we were forced. There have been more losses than wins, more real estate closures than Grand Openings list goes on and on. Definitely business will thrive again no doubt, but to be at the previous levels or greater will take longer than most are willing to believe. Like nature finds a way, businesses that are surviving are finding their way. Seems easier to fall than climb for the most part.

Full Recovery by 2022, 23, 24, who knows. Here’s for having a far better 2021. At least it won’t be hard to beat for the majority.
Bottom line, it’s just a single perspective and if I am totally wrong and I want to be wrong, we all WIN BIG and I prefer it. 

 

[WTF? (**NSFW**)]

On 9/19/2020 at 11:08 AM, GrndPndr said:

From the "Minutia department"  The AK's in the poster reference the Wolverines, and their captured (from the Rooskies) weapons.

Who will dig up a poster for the Sequal?  You know, that Fat Kid's country, was the bad guy.

Actually liked M2’s choice of Fat Kids Country movie reference better than the super bad sequel attempt of Red Dawn. Horrible.
Initially the enemy was Big Red Virus Country wasn’t it, before political pressure changed the paint schemes. Correct me if I’m wrong, it’s been awhile. Maybe Red Dawn III will be Big Red this go around.... too soon...

[The new airline thread]

Some more very well laid out points. I hope your right and I too believe it will come back just not near the levels it was preCovid.

Leisure travel when the doors open, definitely a spike if people haven’t spent their extra income/resources during this virus just to stay afloat. Visiting relatives domestically will launch, international travel is totally restricted and no doubt a spike will be seen but it will take awhile and definitely plateau eventually below preCovid as unfortunately elders have decreased, a ton of business loss and now our older generations including myself (still no Facebook though) have become waaaay more savy on social media tools due to necessity and not curiosity. Medical has almost done a 180 on the normal visitation/in house patient care. Doctors forced to do eScripts(3% usage rate before shutdown, 95%+ now)) vs the human touch provided by thousands upon thousands of care workers who traveled before. My neighbor was one of the M-Fri every week travelers... Not a trip since this began...

Businesses have learned more ways to conduct sales than ever before as they were forced assimilate and not the usual fat cutting measures done by the bean counters. This was a bean counters wet dream, now the Boss has been listening definitely more so. Nothing seems to be able to replace face to face and that will get back out there but doubtful it will ever be like it was. The entire world has just been reprogrammed from out-and-about to solitary confinement including simple ideas as face coverings - Reprogrammed. I would be itching to travel as well but the economics/Boss will decide what travel is really necessary and what can be done over the net with monumental cost savings such as air fare, hotel, rental car (they are hoping to survive), per-diem, etc. Big contracts only most likely. Travelers these past few months have been the bargain basement shoppers to include traveling with garbage bags, it’s insane and can’t believe I saw it several times. These aren’t the travelers we’re looking for, but beggars can’t be choosers. Being reliable and consistent is everything in this industry. Japan specifically indicated 1 year domestic at best, 3 years internationally at best was their forecast for basic profitability/survivability without cuts and initial growth. It’s all a crap shoot really as time will tell. Loads are tight here due to consolidation/less flights as everywhere else.

Brick and mortar has and will continue to disappear. No Building costs, insurance, taxes, cleaning requirements, electricity/water bills, etc, etc, etc. Telecommute is boring for some totally agree, but many especially the younger groups seem to thrive on it. Totally makes sense if you structure your work patterns during the day and not be enslaved to a cubicle or office. Execute your day with an ear piece has been the norm so much more than before. It’s Freedom for many depending on your situation, lifestyle, mentality. 
Definitely reprogrammed in so many ways, good, bad and the ugly. It’s seems to be a long haul.

*Just my take as I travel around and scan the environment on board aircraft and in the cities with all the for rent/for sale signs, nothing more. Totally 1 cent look.

 

 

[The new airline thread]

Agree as well, very well thought out. Here’s to us hoping for the best and everyone out there feeling this pain industry wise. Stay strong.

[The new airline thread]

5 hours ago, MilitaryToFinance said:

Not to be Debbie Downer but this is so much worse than 9/11 for the industry. After 9/11 RPMs dropped ~35% and were down ~30% for the next 5 months before slowly recovering from there. 6 months in right now and things are still twice as bad as the worst of the 9/11 shock. Yes the industry will find a balance and these numbers will improve but at what level and how many planes do we need today vs. a year ago? Now that the furlough protections from the Fed bailouts are going away I think things are going to get ugly even with the airlines getting more funding.

Totally agree with you. My 9/11 statement was regarding the swing back to the air cargo worlds front doors for jobs. And I emphasized the reshaping of the industry with “quite a bit.” So now that you’re being very frank with graphs I will readjust accordingly and be more against the norm as most believe it would have clicked back by now or at least by Christmas. As your graphs indicate it’s basically still horrible. Vaccine or not it won’t snap back quickly at all. International flying is toast for 2-3 years and that’s not predicting pre-COVID levels that’s just a head above water survival rate and holding a profit and not booming. This will hurt much longer then initial thoughts.

[WTF? (**NSFW**)]

34 minutes ago, Day Man said:

bro, this is baseops...I think you're looking for www.creedthoughts.gov.www\creedthoughts

also, not a selfie.  

Excellent Advice, good stuff right there. See myself a Nick Offerman type/ Or at least Bacon obsessed. Appreciate the link. Thanks.

[WTF? (**NSFW**)]

13 hours ago, pawnman said:

So using Soviet weapons on an American political ad is "keeping your shit together" and "looking good"?

What the hell are you talking about?

2 Parts to my response. 1st -  Being sarcastic that it might be a Joint Service Ad, kidding of course, Joint Badge if you have ever seen one which was another hint. 2nd It just seemed reminiscent of the 80s MOVIE “Red Dawn” and it’s artwork/posters if you will. Americans, AK-47s, Hinds vs Mig-29s or whatever..... So THERE is where I transitioned from the stupid current ad to the somewhat Good OL Days if you will. No further connections—>  I was just recalling how much more a tense environment (Cold War, you pick whatever period) in the 80s when people looked good (suits/polos, etc. Yeah, Some flash in there as well) but no pants hanging down just above your knees @ss out, tattoos on your face, majority of women sporting tattoos (at least choose wisely) as well as on their face, etc. Look at the selfie response, while funny it definitely portrays a lot of today’s lack of living your potential unless it’s off the hard work of your parents. 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s,  kept their sh*t together despite 2 Big boys possibly going Nuke centric, they never fell to the ground, wept/cried/whined like so many during their elections back and forth Dem/Repub. Granted, I will say it’s not a generic Presidency, but it sure did knock the rust off the dormant anti-USA and those perceived as snakes are definitely out if the tall grass not hiding now and most definitely not keeping their sh*t together. Definitely not Presidential per previous definitions, but this was the work of one person and how much skin did he get under. 

Don’t be CNN, ABC or whatever and mash things together unless you just didn’t understand the reference exactly as it’s typed: “Not for the Cold War, but for the era where the majority of folks looked good and kept their sh*t together.” 
 

And I will apologize for not being crystal, ultra clear. Now you might have a better idea with some thought or timeframe experience.
I have included a much more insightful pic to what I was mentioning. No real reading required.

[WTF? (**NSFW**)]

1 hour ago, Day Man said:

Exactly, your selfie if that’s what you call it - says it all.

[WTF? (**NSFW**)]

Maybe it’s a Joint Effort. Good for Joint Badges, we don’t need no stinking badges. It’s definitely the original “Red Dawn” poster, but 29s instead of Hind’s (fake, but a very good effort at the time). AK’s raised in the air - Wolverines. Sorry, got nostalgic there. Not for the Cold War, but for the era where the majority of folks looked good and kept their sh*t together. 

[The Next President is...]

1 hour ago, Sua Sponte said:

Israel is the mouthy girlfriend who talks shit to dudes cause her huge boyfriend will back up her shit talking, and she knows that. 

I can see how many arrive at the skimming the top theory of “Having US in her pocket.” They haven’t always been fully supported by us. Historically they have done more than we have (or at least been more successful) when their country’s survival is at stake or their citizens are threatened/terrorized or Olympic athletes are murdered. Top notch War Fighters. Undeniably harder to protect yourself when your actually surrounded and not separated by large oceans. Movies portray whatever, discussing the matters at hand with actual citizens in their country is limited but interesting. Having flown C-141 missions in country many moons ago vs 747s now, political agendas come and go but the emphasis on Israel’s survival mentality has not to be sure. They didn’t execute few mentionable before cuz they were backed, they did it because it has been a life long nations struggle to do more than just survive.
 

Note - We may sell them a lot of equipment, but a-lot of it is upgraded upon arrival. Watching them cram extra avionics package (Or whatever it might have been?) into a early model F-16 was very entertaining... As a former MX Officer in a F-16 Generation Squadron in the early days, it definitely was not any hardware we gave them... Very creative/cunning people, but you must be if your survival is at stake.

[The Next President is...]

2 hours ago, Prozac said:

Happy for anyone who has found peace and happiness after serving. Truly. 

By the way, Thank YOU For Your Service!!! That goes for all veterans current, prior and to those who have departed (Godspeed).
 

Regardless of all of our various viewpoints, backgrounds, upbringing, professionalism and sense of duty/servitude. I always wish the best for everyone here and our Great country. We don’t always get along and that’s OK and that’s what makes this country Great! We are an incredibly diverse nation having most all of the worlds climates along with people from all walks of life inhabiting them under one nation. It appears the majority are all striving to get it right regardless of party, race or religion so sally forth with your convictions and your beliefs. It’s our right and we all understand it has been and always will be paid in blood.

[The Next President is...]

1 hour ago, Prozac said:

Lol. THE Commander in Chief. I’m guessing YOUR CinC. But no longer in my Chain of Command brotha. The Wife’s the only one who holds that title for me now!

Wish I could get back in and serve under Big Scary Orange Man any day and twice on Sunday. But you maybe retired (perhaps like me)  and we can just sit on the sidelines with paycheck of the month club. Not a bad deal as I don’t miss the extraneous B.S. Just gave my Wife a Trump Photo Documentary book. Pages and pages of the guy and/or couple with the troops, at memorials, military cemeteries - Yup that’s a true warfighter hater. She’s still looking thru it. Horrible book for you, but she loves it cuz she’s a take no crap kinda girl.

I bit my lip serving under several less than brilliant presidents, they were my Boss bottom line and we collectively did not hit the ground, cry, whine or make disparaging remarks. Civilian now, seeing the world personally and able to view from another lens besides camo. Military spends money, civilian sector makes money. Very fortunate and opinionated like most and able to poor mouth but don’t, at least not as much as we could. Keep those facts coming, this is a very interesting topic at times.

[The Next President is...]

9 hours ago, Sua Sponte said:

Didn’t know we had neurologists on this forum? We already have a ton of political scientists, attorneys, and national security experts.

My Father was a 1st generation Japanese immigrant mid 1950s Neurosurgeon ( teenager in Japan/war effort during WWII), which has NOTHING to do with me except for my upbringing/environment  - integrity, work ethic, Patriotism, religion, etc. (list goes on, truly fortunate).

You are totally right for me specifically, so you tell me what the Hell is going on with Biden? EVERY month, almost EVERY week now? Names, really? Already on file by the majority as the hardest thing to remember......

You and I are not Blind. Look at Warhawk Joe Pre-War, where the heck is that guy? Dems need him. Too long ago? Look up Joe 4 years ago, Judas Priest, what is going on?.?.? Please help us understand, you have access to soooo many actual videos during 2019, how about 2020 alone - not anonymous here say, but actual videos x 1, 3, 5, 10, xx, xxx...

Video evidence, indisputable... Truth which is Fact! Something is wrong, what is it?

[The Next President is...]

16 hours ago, A man for all seasons said:

Didn't Biden have TWO military sons? One of which received a direct commission at age 43? Wonder what he learned from Hunter's military experience.

Now that someone has brought up, Hunter was not only a customer but the “President” of that business and many more - super qualified or not whatever. Poor Biden lost the good one which really sucks.

[The Next President is...]

9 hours ago, Prozac said:

I think W and Laura had a pretty good reputation regarding interaction with and compassion for military members. I didn’t agree much with the foreign policy decisions that got us involved in forever wars but W and the First Lady did plenty of visits to wounded troops, their families, and troops in the field. From what I hear, they were very humble and generous with their time. I think he truly understood the gravity of the fact he was sending many Americans to their deaths. Biden had a military son and has a better understanding than most of the sacrifices we ask our service members to make on a daily basis. 

Ok, definitely retract my statement about “W” as I can personally attest to his care and compassion for the Troops he sent in harms way. Actually had him on board of one our Air Evac Missions which we dominated for years coming into Andrews AFB from the sandbox, both of them. He routinely had AF1 going into a holding pattern and let us land before he did (to include AE troops unloading during the normal shutdown). One of our crews experienced “W” coming board, shutting the doors (keeping press off) after the CCATT left to visit with our patients prior to movement to Walter Reed. Actually laid on the floor next to a double amputee in his suit. Thanks for making me think about that as I misspoke regarding “W”. Like him or not as President, he did care.
 

Obama always made us hold and rightfully so regulation wise, but no Grace whatsoever. Clinton’s era - worked first tour in D.C. and you could feel the rift. Disliked Sir Bill so much prior to meeting him. Truly impressed with his charisma and he was tough to dislike and hated myself for it -A True Politician. During their last party out of the Whitehouse, they also trashed AF1... Presidential hardware, dish ware, silverware gone, carpet stains (Wine, etc.) excessive damage for the incoming administration shows true colors. (My former Crew Chief gave a fantastic tour and mentioned all the work they had to do)
 

Won’t drag in Biden as he hasn’t had to make decisions involving War with his lone shoulders taking the brunt of it. Not like he can make his own decisions now. So where will leadership come from - Really need to focus on Harris. Biden isn’t President as of yet and we can judge him later if he is and puts flesh at risk. Undeniably Biden has experienced even greater trauma beyond his military son’s death (JAG) due to brain cancer. Even more unfortunate times for Biden during the early years losing his wife and daughter which is tragic.

Smacking Qasem Salami down sends a message. That was long overdue... If you have been coddled, are time out centric, have a 12th place trophy and rely on safe spaces you will never understand what getting spanked is really all about. Sometimes you have to show the limit when people or countries are searching for it. 

 

[The Next President is...]

NONE of the past Presidents really have a clue what these past 20 years plus have meant to the American servicemen. Some try harder than others, but don’t fool yourselves when it comes down to Brass Tacks. Good breakdown.

Regarding an earlier statement about stopping military folks on COVID support orders prior to all benefits being earned outright, you have got to be kidding me. Has anyone not been here long enough within the Reserve Component and not had this happen at least 2, 3, or more times a few years after 9/11??? Anyone recall orders for 179 Days only, over and over again. Really. I mean it’s always “pull out what fits the narrative.” No one is blind to this with experience. Unit dependent, time frame dependent, budget dependent. Plenty of like experiences to draw from over the years....

[The Next President is...]

As far as fanning the flames of violence. Antifa sympathizer shot dead by Federal Marshall’s not fake but dead. Not local State authorities as their hands are tied by their State leaders within their Blue Stronghold, but once again Federal Marshall’s sent in to apprehend, he does not give up willingly, pulls out a weapon or whatever happened - maybe he did not resist, doesn’t matter as we weren’t there = Still Dead.

More and more of this enforcement will happen as the Federal side starts to gather info on loose groups tied to no one particular state. Groups/Movements/Person crossing state lines loosely, creating havoc, violence, etc. are being categorized as menaces to society as a whole and specifically falling into the Domestic Terrorists mold. Federal Assistance/Proactive Enforcement by one side = Welcome aboard to finally hunt down those who weren’t just fanning the flames but igniting them.
Case in point: *Quikrete a Police precinct and attempt to set it on fire is not just Arson, but attempted Murder. No wiggle room there.

Not an Orange Man statement or Biden breakdown - Just information on some Bluish State Leadership - Do your job, still not OK so the Feds will do it for you incrementally at first, then hammer down the nails that show themselves more and more and more-snowball effect.

[The Next President is...]

2 hours ago, Prozac said:

Confident? Confident in what? That this guy will continue be incompetent if he’s re-elected? 
 

Let’s talk about that wall. As of the beginning of August, about 275 miles of wall had been built. Only 30 or so miles of new wall had been built where there were no existing barriers. Exact numbers may vary but I think you’ll agree that Trump has failed to come anywhere near achieving his vision of a big, beautiful wall spanning the length of the southern border. And no, Mexico has not paid for an inch of it. In fact, the military construction budget was pilfered to do it because, like with repealing the ACA, congress knows that a good talking point does not equal good government policy. If you want to call that a promise fulfilled, knock yourself out. The bigger, more tragic picture here is for all the talk about his stupid wall, there has been no meaningful discussion about real, effective, immigration reform. Want to curb illegal immigration? Maybe talk to the farmers and growers whose business model doesn’t work without cheap migrant labor. 
 

Back to repealing the ACA: N730 is exactly correct above. Republicans held both houses of Congress and the executive. They could have absolutely gotten that done, but in the decade since ACA was passed, conservatives have been wholely unable to come up with anything better. I would agree that the ACA has serious flaws. Republicans has their chance to fix it and abjectly failed. Trump could only offer the weak excuse: “who knew healthcare was so complicated?”. 
 

How about bringing law and order back to the apocalyptic cityscapes Trump so bleakly described in his inaugural speech? He’s been president for nearly four years. The streets that were actually bleak are bleaker and law and order is, in fact breaking down in places where it was previously peaceful. Trumps response has been to fan the flames and encourage his supporters to instigate further unrest. I do not believe for a second that The current or future Trump administration will make our streets remotely safer. The chaos he insists will be the result of a Biden administration is happening now, under his watch. 
 

What ever happened to infrastructure? Wasn’t that one of his “promises”? In four years his administration has been unable to get past initial talks with congress regarding an infrastructure bill, the one policy promise of this administration that had robust bipartisan support. The Democrats were willing to help him and he still couldn’t get it done. 
 

How about that Iran nuclear deal? Yeah, we pulled out of an imperfect agreement. Has that spurred any meaningful progress with the Iranian government. Is America safer because of it or has the region become even more unstable? Hint: it’s not the former. 
 

While we’re on the subject of foreign policy does anyone know what Trump got for spending the first year of his presidency fondling Kim Jong Un’s balls? Doesn’t seem like much has changed in Lil’ Kim’s people’s paradise. 
 

So let’s talk about something that’s one of Donnie’s strengths: The economy. It’s true that Wall Street seemed to love the man and his get out of the way policies. In fact, my own 401k swelled as a result of his economic policies. But, prosperity under Trump came in large part due to a tax cut that was extremely generous to big business, but is set to expire on average Joe’s like you and me. The real elephant in the room for those who would call themselves conservatives is that Trump is nothing of the sort when it comes to economic policy. So, at best he gets mixed reviews in this area. 
 

In fact, the only promise I can think of that the man unequivocally upheld was the promise to stack the Supreme Court with conservatives. I have to admit, the Republicans have played masterful politics here, basically stealing a nomination from the outgoing administration and putting a candidate in the White House with timing that got them another nomination and likely one more if they can hold the executive. If you’re a Republican, this is legitimate means to celebrate. But let’s face it: Any Republican candidate would have done just fine here. A Rubio, a Cruz, or a Bush would have absolutely put acceptable justices on the court. 

I fully expect a flurry of excuses from his supporters. Some may even have some validity buried in them somewhere. But one of his signature campaign phrases was “I alone can fix it”.  He hasn’t.

And all of this incompetence doesn’t even take into account the administration’s pathetic response to Covid-19, which I believe is a dead horse that I’ve already beaten in these forums. So if the ends justify the means for you; if another Supreme Court justice is worth the civil unrest, the decline of science and reason in our country, the abysmal global reputation we are fermenting, the further destabilization of troubled regions around the world, the jaded and cynical worldview one must accept to come to the conclusion that a man with no morals should be the leader of the free world.....if all of those things are worth it to you, then by all means vote to re-elect Donald Trump President of the United States for four more years. 

Daaang, while I am not Fox News having discussed actual experiences, I will probably be accused of such due to my angles. But overall I firmly believe I have been duped by multiple networks.

How did CNN, ABC, NBC get on here. 
 

*I guess I could continue to travel around the world and carry on that previous 8 year tradition and apologize for being American, probably get a less than noble prize for it, Meh - Not gonna happen... Guess I had better vote in person whether it helps or not. It is whatever it is...

[The Next President is...]

As in 2016, lessor of the 2 Evils so I went with the Orange Scary man. Lots of crying out there and still going on, good to see all of the snakes on both sides come out of the grass finally. Guess someone hit a nerve and started to step on them, accidentally or not does it matter glad to see true colors. No one gave him a chance on the other side (I was middle road not too happy with the GOP as I said). Doing fairly well compared to most true politician 
 

If you recall correctly, I said build the damn wall anyway. Finally use whatever means and smack down these sanctuary cities by all means just added that cuz, why not. Father was a 1st generation immigrant who did it right. 
 

Let’s hit the high points of debate that matters being the safety of the American people = all of them. Have you been roaming around this country these past few months. Seattle, Chicago, New York, are the ones I have witnessed as of late actually being there and definitely staying in the hotels. Total debacle of failed internal government. Governors and Mayors have a job to do. Heck I was born in Manhattan how sad it is, Chicago is my base now, lived in LA as well - not Lower Alabama by any means. Federal assistance willing and able. I was Guard for 17 years after my active duty term - Governor’s do your dang job and don’t run away from your responsibilities. Now in TN, not Memphis as that will never change but I will pay more, ton of law enforcement presence in Middle TN cuz the slightest violent movement gets its head crushed as it should based on its unsubstantiated premises. Speak loud, speak louder that’s your right, but don’t break down good hard working businesses. Keep watching TV it’s slightly different and a good way to be skewed just a bit. Feed off the internet cuz it’s perfect. As Biden says: We believe in the truth not facts... enuff said. Please debate, even if you are correct and Trumps is Evil please debate!
 

Korea much quieter, where have you been or just watching. Was there 2 months ago as usual not as ball whatever you said nor is the Arab side so volatile at this moment, but always subject to change. Israeli flights thru Saudi airspace into UAE. Takes awhile to set things up over a century or more of conflicts, but everyone is a “now” or immediate gratification baller. Embassy to Jerusalem think about it. Flying into the Middle East several time this year you see an underlying workable situation, but hate is hate as you understand.
 

With limited time I will just hit a major one with the Supreme Court. Sounds like most uninformed folks I run across seem to focus on the Supreme Court... You should be worried way more about the nearly 300 judges replaced and that is where the future lies. 

[The Next President is...]

Everyone needs to be confident (you had better have a spine in the military or get out, not the place for those who whine incessantly-no one raised our hands) - bear with me I am leading to a point and it takes awhile I know. A slight ego probably not a bad thing either. Super ego, well if you have the stats to back it up and that’s how you get things done, especially in this bureaucracy swamp/mess - have at it. Personally dumped the GOP during the 2016 debacle of watching 16 or so other candidates trying to smack Trump down. Orange Man gets it done - Read the checklist and get it done as he marks one after another off his list of promises. What about-Mexico ain’t paying for the wall they cry, well build the damn thing anyway and Orange Godzilla may just in the end have saved us billions and more in a trade war, other countries not paying their fair share in defense at our expense, bringing back our manufacturing capabilities so we’re not so dependent upon others like children, etc the list goes on and on. Can’t imagine what good or bad depending on your view had he had no attackers/road blocks to contend with like no other President/Politicians like all the rest. I don’t agree with it all of course not that it matters. Obamacare, yup no replacement, should have gone back to the old method anything would have been better. Pandemic measures taken, we hope we learn from this, but No-Body knew what exactly to do as we all spit out 20/20 hindsight like a Monday Morning Quarterback - Oh, that’s gone too - They need a reset on their pay scale as well, argue that one. Cares Act 2.0 if those who really need it were to get what’s required then fine, but there is no accountability the first time around and tired of all the hostage taking to get whoever’s unrelated agendas met. Remember, someone always has to pay the bill, printing means nothing as we were already in Astro debt prior to Pandemicpanic.   (Both parties look like they are part of the Willy Wonka Factory of misfit workers/at least Umpa Lumpas were working). Probably will be up to the suburban housewives as the deciding factor. Majority may still despise the Orange Monster, but they damn well understand what it means to feel unsafe in a world of unrest provided by looting, murder, arson, and rape, etc. just plain thuggery and domestic terrorism. Just visit a gun store, you will have your answer let alone the “huuuge” online sales and ammunition depletion. Those who know take care of themselves and are self reliant but that’s thinking for yourself and deplorable. Police reports are just that = a report! Truly Defund the police, see what happens at an extreme level. Socialism, they are more than happy to take the shirt off your back not theirs. Obviously nothing new, you all know this deep down, negative 2 cents at this point.

*No Billionaires on here perhaps and what ego would we have if we were. Fair to say, we would have a decent sized ego and maybe that’s what it takes in this insidious environment to get more than a couple of things unscrewed. Thank goodness that other Billionaire attempt at the Whitehouse tanked.

[Should My Mentality Be Pilot Or Nothing?]

Keep your options wide open. Maybe start rushing ANG or AFRC Rescue units. Do what you can, if you don’t it will eat you up. Keep the fight alive.

[The WOKE Thread (Merged from WTF?)]

BLUF: We will never know what the numbers of death might have been had nothing been done. We will definitely see more data on the impact on the economy this year, next year and beyond perhaps. It’s all 20/20 hindsight. 331,000,000 people and some change here supposedly in the U.S. 200,000 thereabouts passed due to recent pandemic so far (information given). Lessons learned hopefully, but whatever they may be the fact is it’s another way to stare into the abyss or move along if you will. Stay clean, do your due diligence and carry on, be safe as possible out there. Nothing added, just two factual numbers from a 45,000 ft level view for perspective. 
331M - 200K... Trillions of $, how deep will it go - definitely a New World. Cats and Dogs living together, Israeli commercial flights to UAE ( thru Saudi Airspace no less), FAA approves Amazon, etc to go forward regarding testing of drone fleet, protestors using Quickrete in attempt to seal in a police precinct and set it on fire(Police inside), who knew? 
 

Only thing I know - some people need cement block boots...

[The new airline thread]

SocialD and Prozac are sooooo right and said it best = SENIORITY is everything. Everything trickles down from there. Bypassed Captain for several years now, but I eventually will bite. Want the Clams, don’t need the clams as lifestyle is everything at this stage. Everyone is different and will choose a different path accordingly. Several Captains have given me crap within 10 mins of meeting downstairs, but all I say is “Have you ever been #1 anywhere???” Granted, #1 at my base specifically, not most of the others. I would have been 5 from the BOTTOM as a Captain same base with absolutely no control. Most Captains appreciate and understand my position, especially having someone sleep opposite rest periods as I have been dragging around the world with our non-standard operation for quite awhile now. OK, I digressed a bit here.

Point is: My Base just closed TODAY! Although having been forewarned a couple of months ago, it was astonishing after about 2 decades of solid contract work when this first started. It was nice driving to work and then back home after a long trip, but these are the up and downs of this business. Boom, lost #1 so do I bid for Captain now - not likely as I am still within the top 3 of a few of our bases. Commuting does blow, but not like others as we are ticketed/put to bed but now I could potentially lose 12-24 hours if not being able to hold a commute Day 1 line. Probably OK though, Seniority is Everything!!!
 

ALL airlines have their ups and downs. Things will recover in due time, perhaps shaped a bit differently but the world is still turning. Flying rubber dog poop out of HKG has been advantageous no doubt. I am worried for a few of my friends based in HKG with Team Purple now. Have tried contacting them and nothing heard for just over a month now. Big Red moved in and things are upside down it seems. Managed to avoid it for awhile. Threats are beyond our basic imagination it seems. Stay frosty.

 

[The new airline thread]

That’s good news! Way to go JB. Cargo side maintains their pull of folks so that’s good. Talked to a mil guy (new friend) retiring in a couple of months who wasn’t getting any traction with our folks despite waiting patiently for a airframe/class date after being hired in July - told him to inquire again since everything is crazy right now. He just got his class date and airframe of choice 2 days ago. Good for him and it lines up with his retirement. Sometimes it all works out for the better.

[The new airline thread]

What I posted on APC (FedEx Applicants) regarding choices made, which airline is the best, the turmoil of it all and why most stay...

Just telling them never give up, keep at it.(I am not purple)

Constant leap-frogging on which destination airline is the best, but overall they have their merits and definitely issues no doubt. Amazing how the pendulum swings, how cyclic our industry is, unfathomable at times. The ups and downs of it all and yet we continue to chug along. Couldn’t recommend this profession to anyone a decade ago, but these past few years were looking up with that pilot shortage looming until recently. Understandably we hang in there - either too invested at this point or your projected entry in about 2-3 years perhaps will pay dividends based on timing as usual and nothing more. One thing is undeniable, if you have some sort of passion remaining it makes it a helluva a lot easier. The struggle is real, payoffs are tangible but in the end we do the best we can to have our needs met. Long live the relentless airline pilot; whether it came easy for you or the struggle was/is real you are all warriors in some form or fashion or you wouldn’t be here.