Hey all,

I'm wondering if there is any info on the 200th Airlift Squadron? I'm currently a tanker pilot out east, but I am interested in moving to Colorado with my family to settle down. I was a maintenance guy with the 140th Maintenance Squadron for 8 years, but left to pursue an aviation career. I have done a bit of reasearch on the internet machine, but can only find fact sheet type stuff on the 200th AS. If there is anyone who is a member of the 200th that could shed some light on hiring/lifestyle/ops tempo etc I would be very grateful!

Cheers,

Velo

No gouge on them other than an email I got two years ago saying they are way overmanned. Don't forget about the 187th in Cheyenne. Awesome unit, great airplane, live in Ft. Collins, drink great beer.

Yeah, I know all about the 187th. I even know a former wing commander. I would love to move back to Fort Collins (Thus the avatar). I'm just not crazy about the Herc.

Let me ask another question then. How hard is it to live in a different state than your tanker squadron and commute to keep currencies?

Edited November 29, 201212 yr by Velsoprints

That question is coved in depth all over this forum. It if course depends. From my observation, the one jet you can commute to is the 135.

I'm just not crazy about the Herc.

Then you're crazy.

Then you're crazy.

No shit.

struck a chord?

Yeah, I know all about the 187th. I even know a former wing commander. I would love to move back to Fort Collins (Thus the avatar). I'm just not crazy about the Herc.

Let me ask another question then. How hard is it to live in a different state than your tanker squadron and commute to keep currencies?

Before I got a pilot slot, I would've killed to fly a -130. Don't nail doors shut prior to giving them a chance to open. Your life will be infinitely better flying the Herk than flying a couch in your parents' basement. And if you ask the Herk guys, they'll tell you it's the greatest invention since the Wright Flyer.

Remember, you're going to be competing against dudes that will do damn near anything to get a shot at UPT, and even the slightest indifference you have won't go unnoticed in an interview. I understand you've got your preferences, but do yourself a favor: crank everything to 11, throw as many darts at the board as possible, see what sticks, be thankful for what you get, and enjoy being an aircrew member if graced with the opportunity.

To answer your second question, quite a few people I know commute to their Reserve squadrons, and they make it work, but as a new co-pilot, the kid who's willing to live 5 minutes away from the front gate just to get the chance to pick up trips is going to be more competitive than the commuter. Go all out at the beginning of your career, and then consider throttling back after you've established a name for yourself.

struck a chord?

Talking to me?

Before I got a pilot slot, I would've killed to fly a -130. Don't nail doors shut prior to giving them a chance to open. Your life will be infinitely better flying the Herk than flying a couch in your parents' basement. And if you ask the Herk guys, they'll tell you it's the greatest invention since the Wright Flyer.

Remember, you're going to be competing against dudes that will do damn near anything to get a shot at UPT, and even the slightest indifference you have won't go unnoticed in an interview. I understand you've got your preferences, but do yourself a favor: crank everything to 11, throw as many darts at the board as possible, see what sticks, be thankful for what you get, and enjoy being an aircrew member if graced with the opportunity.

To answer your second question, quite a few people I know commute to their Reserve squadrons, and they make it work, but as a new co-pilot, the kid who's willing to live 5 minutes away from the front gate just to get the chance to pick up trips is going to be more competitive than the commuter. Go all out at the beginning of your career, and then consider throttling back after you've established a name for yourself.

Why would a current tanker pilot apply to UPT? Did you even read his original post?

Why would a current tanker pilot apply to UPT? Did you even read his original post?

Nope, sure didn't. Sorry, Velsoprints, I'm a huge knob goblin. I'll be in time out for a while.

Edited December 1, 201212 yr by Royal

So you have ties to Ft. Collins yet you would rather fly a Lear-35 in C. Springs than a Herc in Cheyenne? I have read some crazy shit on base ops, but that might be the craziest.

Lol I'm glad I could provide some entertainment. I have ties to Ft. Collins, but I am not limiting myself to only living there. I grew up in Colorado, so I'll be happy to live anywhere close to the foothills.

There's people who live in CO and are in the Nebraska -135 unit. It's a bitch of a drive though.

I heard from a credible source the 200th might be going bye-bye. Anyone else got info?

Shhhhh...

Announcement very shortly on others as well.

go on.....

Announcement very shortly on others as well.

Can you enlighten us? Any specifics? ANG? AFRC? please feel free to share...

He said announcement shortly. Standby for words.

It'll suck if that unit goes away. C-21s in C Springs has got to be one of the best gigs in the AF. That said, I wouldn't turn my nose up at a herc either. I recently left the AD, and although I ended up continuing my career in tankers, I didn't take any options off the table. I'm sure crossing the pond in a 130 sucks balls, but there's something to be said for the mission set that plane is capable of. No one I know who flies hercs is bored (except maybe on those ocean crossings).

I actually enjoy long trips in the Herk. It's something that we don't do a lot of in the community at-large.

I flew C-21s in the Springs a few years ago---it totally blew. Trust me, you want nothing to do with the 200th. Not that I would ever try to get hired there, but are they hiring?

I flew C-21s in the Springs a few years ago---it totally blew. Trust me, you want nothing to do with the 200th.

Seriously?

I guess sarcasm is hard to express on the interwebs.