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Wow. So much stupid in one post.

You're right. Certainly don't have to worry about your kid's listening to Biden's sex scandals when the media covers it up. Or are we just not going to talk about Tara Reade?

The problem wasn’t becoming an anti-Trump Republican. The problem was that in becoming an anti-Trump Republican he hilariously took on lots of the traits of Trump himself, including tweeting epically dumb shit. His “you’re only a patriot if you fought in the revolutionary war” tweet probably taking the cake. He had an opportunity to take a level headed approach and provide a straight forward, no nonsense, conservative opinion, and instead decided he liked the instant gratification of likes on his tweets from people with TDS and appearances on left leaning talk shows. Go look at his Twitter now. It’s almost entirely shit talking Tucker Carlson and focusing on Jan 6th and Michael Flynn. Meanwhile there are serious policy issues facing this country, including an out of control border, massive inflation, supply chain crisis, that could really use some no nonsense leadership to solve and he refuses to talk about it. That is why this guy is a clown.

Curious what our resident democrats on the board have to say about this. You know who you are. If you voted for this administration explain what you think about its direction.

No. An order is an order. Doesn’t matter whether it’s “take that hill” or “take that vaccine”. A legal order must be complied with regardless of wider “social disagreement”. The whole concept of a professional military depends on it. I might be inclined to agree if death were the only possible negative outcome of a COVID infection. However, the effects of this virus run the gamut and it can absolutely incapacitate previously healthy individuals, especially those who are unvaccinated. I gave an example of an instance where that actually played out. Taking an aircraft carrier off the chessboard is a big fucking deal last time I checked. Does it matter? That’s the world in which we live. CPDLC doesn’t make a C-17 any better at its mission, but it sure makes the planners’ jobs easier. Don’t conflate my stance on military vaccination policies with the wider argument going on about mandates in society in general. While I’m a firm supporter of these vaccines, I do find civil mandates to be problematic and believe there are probably better ways to sell this to the population as a whole. Different story for those currently serving.

What part of the oath says something about submission? I, (state your name), having been appointed a (rank) in the United States Air Force, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution Of the United States against all enemies, Foreign and domestic, that I bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God. You swear to support and defend a document. Albeit an amazing document, but nothing more. You will have faith and allegiance to the same (i.e. the Constitution of the United States) and you do so willingly. If it were not willingly, I could see that being authoritarian. Am I missing the submission part somewhere? Also, the licensed Comirnaty vaccine is not the same a the EUA Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and in the FDAs words is “legally distinct”. And the licensed Comirnaty vaccine is not available anywhere… How is this a legal order?

People committed to a position they didn't personally verify based on the assurances of experts (if the word has any meaning left), then called the people who challenged their position idiots, paranoid, viscously uncaring, and hysterical. Now reality is quite obviously different than it was portrayed, and they look a bit stupid in retrospect. That's a frustrating position to be in. I've been hearing a lot of "well you couldn't have known that at the time so really my position made more sense." Sure, except we knew about the susceptibility of old and fat people, the impact of good ventilation, the nearly-perfect immunity of young children, the airborne nature of covid spread, the Wuhan lab connection, and the rapidly mutating nature of coronaviruses back in May of last year. Couple that with a general understanding of basic human nature and it was not at all "shooting in the dark" to take the positions that deviated from the "expert" consensus. But as with everything these days, being wrong is never an option for politicians and bureaucrats, so we will be gaslit into believing that the skeptics were just lucky guessers and they were gambling with people's lives.

Move to a delta base or commute.

You're right. Throughout this entire "pandemic," messaging has been consistently fluid, with constantly shifting goalposts. To quote Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis from a couple days ago: "We’ve gone from 15 days to slow the spread, to 3 jabs to keep your job. If you don’t give resistance to this, they’re going to absolutely do more." When trying to gauge the reaction to your messaging, it's a pretty well-honed technique to float "trial balloons" to the masses, and then gauge the reaction. It seems like that's exactly what's happening here regarding "booster shots." You don't see any solid info regarding booster shots, just a bunch of rumors and hearsay. Wait and see what happens over the next six months though. Bet the messaging gets a lot more solid.

The guy (assumption) answered the question. I appreciate it. I pretty much disagree with his position, but at least he answered the query. Attacking him won't change his mind. It will probably make him dig in even deeper. We can debate the actions and policies of the current Administration, but personal attacks won't change his past or future vote. I'd like to hear from other Biden voters and see your opinions.

"I'm hearing talk of..." "A lot of good people are saying..." "It's been said that..." I was hoping this mealy-mouthed bullshít had said farewell, but it's clearly parasitic. So, go on, where did you hear about mandatory booster shots, and from whom?

I think it's a train wreck. No doubt. Horrible. I'm hoping Biden is a one-term president and we get much higher caliber humans to choose from. BUT.... do I regret voting for him? Nope. Because at least I don't have to fumble to quickly change the radio station when my kids are in the car and they start talking about how the President of the United States casually cheats on his third wife to bang porn stars and then pays them hush money. For all his faults, Biden doesn't recreationally rawdog porn stars. That's nice. That does a lot for me. And because at least no lunatics have stormed the U.S. Capitol and called for the murder of the VP and/or speaker of the house. That's a win. I really like not seeing members of congress evacuated and morons with zip ties trapsing around the senate floor. That was the last straw for me, and I don't understand how it couldn't be for other people. I understood a lot of the mental gymnastics that people did to justify Trump's many shortcomings because, in general, they liked his policies, or more often, disliked Democrat policies. But Jan 6th was unforgivable-- a national disgrace, and such a low moment in US history that I'm still glad I voted for the current administration, despite all it's faults. I just wish we had better choices to start with.

I don't. Zero reservation. It's guys/gals like us that bring perspective to their other roles, this case, Congress. It's the very definition of representative govt. it can make for some interesting crossovers too, like C17 AC and slum lord, or Chief of Training and Only Fans lady.

Because it's part time? I guess that opens the question of what happens when one goes on orders or a unit activation, I'm guessing that individual would be exempted. I personally think having military representation/experience in government is a good thing, beyond Veteran's Preference for federal jobs. Lindsey Graham, Ted Lieu, others. Why further widen the already huge gulf between the citizenry you serve, and the military membership? Frankly I'm at the other end of things, and feel more politicians should have stake in America than just ambition, vanity and ego. I'd support a service requirement just to qualify for office. I disagree with a lot of you, I feel the loss of Kinzinger is a bad thing. Obviously I'm not a MAGA guy but I'm no lefty either.

Thought this was the Bee, but it's not. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/biden-admin-may-pay-millions-migrant-families-separated-border-under-n1282670 Also

Just finished indoc at American. They are definitely hooking up the mil guys who had CJOs & class dates that got COVID'd. To my surprise, we are getting full benefits...so I now have a seniority date, pay date, travel benefits, and hacked my 401k clock. So now when I get off AD I'll start at AAL with damn near year 3 seniority and pay. I'm pinching myself.

Your points are all non-sequiturs. Drawing parallels between a literal military campaign and a vaccine policy is absurd. By that (lack of) logic, everything is readiness. I know a lot of shitty commanders who agree with you. Second, COVID, the illness, is not a readiness issue. "Sweeping through the ranks" ≠ incapacitating military personnel. If we weren't testing everything with a pulse, something never before done, you wouldn't even notice a disease "sweeping through the ranks" unless people were dropping like flies. That happened in the nursing homes. Not in the military. Now, the government policies surrounding vaccination have absolutely become a readiness issue. But that has little connection to the actual mechanics of the disease at this point, since the vaccines do not effectively limit COVID spread. More importantly, and to your last callous and unimpressive statement, none of this is about the vaccine. This is about a society that is increasingly bullied and manipulated by politicians, bureaucrats, and "elites" who think they know best, and who get caught repeatedly lying and distorting in order to scare their "subjects" into compliance, while flagrantly violating their own mandates. Those subjects are too busy maintaining the functions of modern society to research every claim and dictate of the anointed leaders, so after catching them in overt lies over and over, they've just decided to say "let's go, Brandon" and take every subsequent claim as a lie. Five years ago they decided to elect their own liar when civility and coexistence failed. So now we have a bunch of people who think a largely safe vaccine is a threat to their family's health. But by all means, keep calling them whiners while simultaneously whining about their lack of conformity. That'll fix things. Freedom is good as long as you're only free to do the things I agree with, right?

Well, sounds like people who refuse the vaccine will get the chance to voluntarily separate with an honorable discharge. At least, that's the latest from my corner of AETC. So I guess that's kind of like quitting the military if you really disagree with it.

Round and round with some of you guys. What do you think would happen to you if you refused any other vaccine? It’s absolutely a legal order & regardless of your wider views on civil mandates, I expect members of the United States military services to follow the legal orders of the officers appointed over them. If you can’t do that, GTF out or suffer the consequences. Don’t expect me or anyone else to have any sympathy or listen to your lame bullshit excuses.

Yes, the submission part is clear in the phrase "true faith and allegiance." The thing is that the constitution is a rather long and involved document and it has parts in it outlining exactly who has authority (read: authoritarian control) over the military. Article 2 section 2: makes the president the commander in chief of the military. Article 1 section 8: provides the basis for congress's establishment of the UCMJ. So it isn't quite as simple as swearing to support a piece of paper. Because that piece of paper says the president can tell you what to do, and so can congress through the UCMJ. The comirnaty/FDA semantics will get hashed out in court but the basis for the fed to make military members do something they don't necessarily agree with is absolutely there, and you voluntarily submitted to that control by taking the oath.

I have had a pretty good time so far. I have no ragrets. I am an alumnus of Kalitta and Atlas. Currently UPS FO bout to start yr 5. Moved to SDF after yr 1. Upgrade appears to be as soon as 2023, but I’m not holding my breath. I did long haul (747) 2015-2020. Currently doing A300. It’s a change of pace and I like it fine. Living in base is a good thing and SDF is ok (similar to LIT).

It NOT a lawful order. UCMJ for not getting the jab is absurd. our leaders are pussies

Normally, I've flown pax at AA but in September I had 3 cargo flights DFW to LHR with 50 hour layovers. No passengers causing boarding issues, no leaving the cockpit door locked, and no taking 45 minutes going through security with flight attendants with 5 bags containing grocery items they bought in London/Paris/Madrid because we don't have butter/olive oil/yogurt in the U.S, apparently. For peace and serenity, cargo might have the upper hand. I was seriously enjoying those trips. If you like travel, non-rev flying can be hit and miss but I've taken the wife to France, Spain, Ireland, Chile, and Australia plus a huge number of places domestically that I've also taken my kids. So, I'd give passenger flying the edge in that regard. The grass always appears greener somewhere else. Don't worry about that and you'll be fine.

I know several AA dudes who live in DFW/based there...their QOL and pay is awesome. If you are hard set on living in DFW area forever, then I'd switch to AA. If you can be cool with living in a major DAL base, then I'd move and stick with DAL. I also know a few guys who were +1 year at airline X and switched to live in base (including leaving DAL for AA, and vice versa); they are all very happy with the switch. But remember, there are tons of opinions out there, only you know how important it is to live in location X...and I would choose living in base over commuting every day (I'm fucked on that, but you don't have to be!)

Being an anti-Trump Republican is about as opposite from "swaying with the winds" as is possible.

Sure- our Wing has said if the CDC changes the definition of “fully vaccinated” to include booster shots (which is under discussion), they will be mandatory. We don’t know if that’s going to happen, but the question was asked due to reporting that the definition will change. Here’s a hospital already mandating it: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10148459/New-Jersey-hospital-mandate-BOOSTER-shots-workers-J-J-single-dose-vaccine.html

Play by the rules of the USERRA law and tell Delta Airlines to kiss your ass. https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/legacy/files/USERRA_Private.pdf In other news... I'll have 28+ years at United when I retire, and I will not be able to hold a widebody leftseat based on current projections. When I was hired, we had 5 year Captains on narrowbody. But after bankruptcies, mergers, 9/11, 2008 economy down-turn, china-virus, and a plethora of other events... I've learned that the question of "when can I upgrade..." is an unanswerable question. Who knows? The variables are entirely unpredictable. A bud of mine was in the first UAL class after things shut down for a year (May 2021). Pilots hired a year later will be 2000 numbers junior to him. To put that in perspective, those pilots currently 2000 numbers junior to me were hired 15 years after I was. And I'm not even going to discuss the ramifications of those who were Continental pilots during the merger. If you do not understand the significance of my statistic, then you need to talk to someone who does. The whole "where will I be?" is a stupid question. If you want to dress up and play airline pilot, then get ready for a fucked up career.

AA 777 FO. I've done 767/787/777 international and 727/737/MD80 domestic. Most of your work is done from leaving the gate to level off and then descent back to the gate. Domestically, you are going to do that several times per day over multiple days with shorter layovers. Hotels are hit and miss. Mechanical, weather, hub delays only make your day worse. International trips you fly 2 legs with a longish layover. ETOPS doesn't allow for many open mechanical issues and we usually have a maintainer on standby to get problems solved. Hotels are usually nice. Long layovers means you can explore local history, restaurants, beer. Downsides are time zone/body clock and sleeping issues. Legal flight routing can put you over some barren terrain with few divert options dealing with marginal English speaking controllers. With seniority, a widebody FO can make more than a narrow body CA and work fewer days. You need to find what works for you.

Very sad to hear this. Had the opportunity to meet him a few times, truly a gentleman. His book A Soldier's Way is a superb read and story of how dedication and hard work and can off in this country. He was a consummate public servant who likely could have been the first African American President had he decided to run, his wife was against it and he stated he never felt that calling. His detractors will obviously point to his "Case for War "presented to the UN. Years later he accepted fault and wished he had trusted his instincts calling the events a great failure of intelligence. In addition to his autobiography I highly recommend It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership where he lays out 13 rules common sense rule for life. I need to do a better job using these in my life. RIP General Powell. 1. It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning. There’s a silver lining in every cloud, you just have to find it. That’s not always as easy as it sounds. Things might look bad today, but if you’ve put in the effort, tomorrow will be a brighter day. It’s a state of mind; believe it and you will make it happen. 2. Get mad, then get over it. There’s always going to be days when events—or people—push you to the edge. When you do lose your temper, don’t lose control at the same time. People always remember the leader with a bad temper, and never in a good way. 3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it. People who think that their way is the only way tend to experience a lot of disappointment. Things aren’t always going to go your way, that’s just a fact of life. Be humble enough to accept that fact. 4. It can be done! Just about anything can be accomplished if you set your mind to it, have the necessary resources, and the time to get it done. Don’t succumb to the skeptics; listen to what they have to say and consider their perspective but stay focused and positive. 5. Be careful what you choose. Don’t rush into a bad decision. Take the time to consider your options, weigh the relevant facts, and make reasoned assumptions. Once you pull the trigger, there are no do-overs. So make it count. 6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision. Powell was fond of connecting good leadership to good instincts. Be a leader who hones judgement and instinct. Take the time to shape your mental models. Learn how to read a situation for yourself. Become the decision-maker your people need you to be. 7. You can’t make someone else’s choices. Never allow someone else to make your decisions for you. Ultimately, you’re responsible for your own decisions. Don’t duck that responsibility and don’t succumb to external pressures. Make your own decisions and live with them. 8. Check small things. Success is built on a lot of seemingly minor details. Having a feel for those “little things” is essential. In a 2012 interview, David Lee Roth shared the story of how Van Halen used brown M&Ms as an indicator of whether large concert venues paid attention to the minor details critical to a major performance. Leaders must have ways to check the little things without getting lost in them. 9. Share credit. Success relies on the effort of the entire team, not just the leader. Recognition motivates people in ways that are immeasurable. Don’t be a glory hog. Share credit where credit is due and allow your people to stand in the spotlight. It ain’t about you. It’s about them. 10. Remain calm. Be kind. Keep calm and carry on. Kill ‘em with kindness. When chaos reigns, a calm head and a kind word go a long way. When everyone is under incredible stress, be the leader people want to follow, not the leader people want to avoid. 11. Have a vision. Be demanding. Followers need to things from leaders—a purpose and a firm set of standards. When you see leaders fail, it is almost always for one of those two things. They either lead their followers in a flailing pursuit of nothing, or they don’t set and enforce an example for their people. 12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers. Fear can be a powerful motivator, but it can also paralyze a leader at the worst possible time. Learn to understand your fears and channel them in ways that you control rather than allowing them to control you. Think clearly, think rationally, and make decisions that aren’t rooted in emotion. 13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. Optimism is infectious. Maintaining a positive attitude and an air of confidence is as important for you as it is for those around you. People will feed off your optimism. Believe in your purpose, believe in yourself, and believe in your people. And they’ll believe in you.

It’s propaganda. Just like the news tries telling us 78% of 12 and up are Vaxxed. Trying to pressure people into being sheep and following the masses, even if it’s fake news

The same cucks that down voted me....