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SWA: Seems like a pretty big win on most fronts. The pay is higher than it seems due to the TFP to hours conversion being a completely made up metric. But with guarantee being a lot higher than the other airlines, I just don’t see how anyone could complain about the pay. The new “stackable” overrides will absolutely punish the company if they don’t do a good job running an efficient and effective airline and make the FOs and Capts an absolute metric $#!+ ton of money. The union didn’t even want to secretly cost analysis the ask because they knew if it somehow leaked out, the sticker shock would cause SWA to immediately balk. From what it looks like to me, we got everything we asked for but as always there are people who won’t be happy. I had been on the fence to jump to Delta, and glad I didn’t. With no PBS, the best work rules in the industry, highest guarantee, being able to pickup, drop and move my schedule pretty freely and more scheduled days off than anyone else, it fits for me and my family’s lifestyle. I’ve done enough international flying in the military, doing it for another 25 years doesn’t move the needle for me. I may jump on the ETOPS train out in Las Vegas after the kids graduate just to see how I like that schedule, but overall, I am extremely happy. For the first time in my SWA career, I would actually recommend coming here. Just my 2 cents. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Biff right before making that post… I want to go to Songtan with Biff…

@Biff_T How much did you drink yesterday?

That’s a tough development. Sorry to hear that. Whatever you end up doing, know that the Air Force needs studs at every AFSC. You can make a giant difference in mission and morale by your competence and leadership in support roles. Quick story…WW2 kicks off and my grandpa, his cousins, and brother all left their town of Lakeside, SD (population N/A because it was just an incorporated farming community) to sign up. My grandpa only had a 9th grade education and wouldn’t be accepted by any service but the Merchant Marines as a baker. He was very disappointed but did his best. Fast forward to 1944 off the Philippines when Typhoon Cobra hit (3 destroyers sank, over 700 killed). From his rodeo background, he was one of the only guys that wasn’t violently ill and ended up relaying the orders to help control the ship and save the crew. He was also the POC from the ship to Admiral Halsey and was personally cited for heroism and exceptional performance by Halsey after the typhoon. The whole point of this story is that I don’t know if there can be much more disappointment after Pearl Harbor than being told you’re too dumb to do anything in the military and can only bake bread for the Merchant Marines. However, you never know when your number will be called. Even if that had never happened, baking bread and providing good food for men is a worthwhile and important role that you should be proud of. Whatever you end up doing, it is also a worthwhile role and an honorable profession that deserves your best effort.

Scrolled through the front page when it was happening, wasn't there. But I guess if we're all digging for news everyone is, right?

BAHAHAAA The Gator Program continues to self-immolate.

Wow. I just woke up and read what I wrote. Have a laugh on me. Sometimes SrA Biff strikes without warning and Capt Biff couldn't stop him lol. Woohoo.

This is correct. At the end, it’s up to us to submit the entire package on myvector. No one should care about this package more than the applicant. I was pinging the wing exec to make sure my docs were signed and g2g two weeks prior to suspense. also even contacted Mr. Cateano at afpc to double check my package was received and g2g as well.

@ClearedHot What do retired military pilots all have in common (besides the obvious _______ (fill in the blank))?

The only thing leadership did on my behalf was sign my letter of rec & my AF215. From my understanding it’s our responsibility to submit everything signed via MyVector.

TLDR: It doesn’t say anything about you. I’ve been doing this Air Force stuff for a long long time. I’ve had countless doors slammed shut in my face. Some from bad timing, some from me not being ready yet, but most were from perception of who I was on a piece of paper. It took me years to understand how important it was to build your image of performance via your records. I have a feeling this is what happened to you where someone who doesn’t know you, took a look at who you are on a piece of paper and made a call off that. Unfortunately that is how a lot of promotions, awards, and other opportunities are judged. If I were in your shoes I would first enjoy the holidays. Then on Jan 3rd I would have a sit down with my Commander, reviewing the entire package and asking what needed the most improvement. If it was your writing on personal statements, create a rough draft and send it to 10 people you care about and ask their honest feedback. If they tell you it looks good, tell them to look harder. Chasing your dreams has a mixture of drive and being humble. You need to make sure you have the gas peddle all the way down while still understanding that your package can always be improved. Seeking that feedback to where people trust that you will not become defensive, upset, or ignore them is huge because that is where you are going to receive their honest thoughts which will improve your package.

With NIL and the portal you’re going to start seeing players transfer at halftime.

Tomorrow’s the day everyone. I managed to write a pretty killer show cause letter acknowledging my mistakes and outlying my plans to get back on track, and I got a fair few letters from others as well. Hopefully it all works out. Thanks for all your insights, advice, and encouraging words.

Consider yourself lucky and start applying to ANG units.