dream big

If an Uber showed up to my house without a driver, I wouldn't get into it for free. You honestly think passengers would get into a pilot-less airline? Okay even single pilot, what happens when one of those crash with 300 souls on board? Why on earth would airlines accept that capital risk? I didn't say it will never happen, just that it's not happening in our lifetime.

Not happening anytime soon. Where is the cost savings? You aren't getting rid of the pilot, they are just no longer in the cockpit. Single pilot, for airlines? Way too much liability, maybe for cargo. Look at what the airlines are investing in for the next 10-20 years, none of it is remote technology.

"If there is a major conflict...." --> this right here is my biggest fear with all of the problems surrounding the AF.

To be honest, most wing execs I know went kicking and screaming. I felt bad for them. Best advice I ever got : be good enough at your job that you get the mission done and bring your boys home safe, don't be too good that you start getting considered for HPO...I didn't know what HPO was at the time but I'm fairly convinced it's not a choice to many..

Not saying racism doesn't happen, but as a minority I've found the military to be the most accepting sect of society. I've known many minority pilots in the AF and they are treated no different then non minorities. Women? Different story but I won't open that can of worms.

My mentor will always be the crusty passed over (maybe) major/LTC still in the squadron, those types have provided me more mentorship then any "career" guy. PSA: real mentorship in a flying squadron happens in the squadron bar (not heritage room) on Fridays with the beer light on.

Naw man, just group execs? Obviously they weren't tier one. Maybe if they were wing execs! Better yet, aide-de-camps. I mean that's what the Air Force values these days.

All this AFPC MAF to CAF crossing streams hee-haw for 8 dudes?

Are you retarded? You clearly know zero about tac airlift or anything for that matter. Go with quals, besides the NSA d*** measuring; or do us all a favor and STFU

Our former Wing King at Yokota was always MR as an instructor. Made it a point to fly (many times with students) at least twice a month if not every week. He was the definition of leading from the front. He even went off station a few times. Needless to say, he understood the plight of maintenance and crew dogs. Of course he is an anomaly, never saw that again.

Well that's a double zinger if there was one since it will also affect his airline app 4 years from now when he gets hit in the head with reality! .....Now of course it won't matter if he makes the fast track since aircraft performance in the AIR FORCE < box checking.

Agreed, with one exception and the guy that comes to mind was phenomenal in the plane after he came to tankers and now is one his way up; most tanker guys that came to 130s were skilled careerists who could not fly the plane to save their lives. Likewise, my tanker bros want to punch me in the face after some of the "HPOs" we sent to tankers. Want a prime example of Phoenix debaucherry? Little Rock AFB under Rhat, tanker guy leading THE c-130 hub of the world. Good lord the toxicity that came under him was unprecedented. Now this is not to say it was because he was a tanker guy, it provides evidence of what kind of "guy" Phoenix types usually are. Yes, eliminate Phoenix. And stop making our weapons officers Wing execs. I don't think ACC does this at all?: making viper guys eagle guys or vice versa for career reasons? Seems the CAF values depth while AMC values breadth = not being proficient in your airplane..

Hmm, then why the hell are we having 08 and 09 boards this year? 09 guys are jumping through their asses trying to check their "boxes" before the PRF. AFPC must secretly know and assume that virtually the entire 05 year group is punching this year and 06 next year hahah.

Chang, don't know if you are reading this, nor who you are. But let it be known that almost every one of my peers plus 3-4 peer groups below me are talking about the airlines and at least going guard/reserves. LTs are already talking about it. You guys are in deep deep trouble and let it be known that you guys did this to yourselves. A few years ago, when people asked about these issues and the pilot shortage at large we were laughed at, told to stop complaining, etc. Now look where we are: 4 star generals going to the airlines with their tails between their legs while the airlines laugh at us. Fortunately for the sake of the country, many of my peers will continue to serve in the guard and reserves; do the same effing job as active duty minus a lot of the PC crap that has tainted our armed forces. Were Rainman here on these forums today he would disagree, but at the end of the day, those in the guard and reserves provide the same product to national security. Active duty is not any mightier or worthier. We love this country and love putting on the bag to go "hack the mish," just not on active duty's terms because senior "leadership" has decimated the patriotism, drive and morale of those bright eyed kids wanting to fly fight and win.

So verdict? Wait until six months out to put in for palace chase or put it in when legal to get approved (2/3 commitment)?

I hear you brother, I was left in wing scheduling all by myself for 2 weeks the month I was trying to finish flight lead upgrade before IP school while my "boss" decided to take a vacation. I had been flying on average once or twice a month before and after the upgrade. Not the right answer necessarily but I ensured the shop was doing what it needed to but prioritized the flying aspect, got my ass handed to me later. Few can do both but at a certain point, you can be good at your ground job or your flying job. Throw a family into the mix and you're in for a treat.

The SW airline getting rid of the 1500 TPIC requirement; it is like the heavy v fighter d measuring contests here. They come up from time to time!

They are targeting mil guys heavily. Anyone also browse Airline Pilot Central? A lot of butt hurt from straight civilian guys over mil guys being targeted..

Maybe that has been the trend? The last 4-5 guys we sent to UPT from our MAF squadron were all stellar dudes who volunteered..minus one who had "back issues" in PIT and ended up going to Mildenhall then passed over for Major. If commanders are sending their "rejects" then that is a foul. Molding the next generation of pilots is no pety task.

But...but who is going to tell the Wing King that his MPF sucks, especially as a bag wearer? "There we go zipper suited sun gods being mean to the ABU wearers again. Everyone wears ABUs when not actively flying and mandatory Friday fun runs to build morale"...there's 95% historical precedence for that..

So now the question is: Is Liquid a troll or is he real? Is Liquid Chang? Is Chang Liquid? I'm so confused.

Yepp, and and any reasons we need NCOs handing out towels in the gym? And let's be honest, most base gyms don't even hand out towels! Why not hire civilians to run the gym while these NCOs can make sure my PCS orders aren't consistently months late.

And the OPS group ;)

Are you shitting me? I forgot we exist for the SARM shop. SARM literally gets the most unmotivated airmen. It's been a trend item at every base. I even told this to our old harm chief who worked out with me a few times and he flat out agreed. He spent most of his day holding the fire to the airmen. Getting orders done everyday was like pulling teeth. Was it not SARM that caused the great purge?

No but it was a waste of resources. They sent you to WIC to come back and train young snackos to go to war and not get themselves killed, not do the general's bitch work. I'm sure you felt the same at the time. But I see your point, you probably kept your head down and didn't gripe about it. At least not in public haha!