HercDude

He is mentioned in the memoirs of several POWs, including Leo Thorsness (MoH recipient who at one point shared a cell with McCain) , Bud Day, and James Stockdale (also both MoH recipients). They did not speak ill of him then, nor when he ran for President in 2000 or 2008. I'm personally going to take the word of three MoH recipients over "some guy my dad knows whose uncle was a POW", or some swiftboat conspiracy theory website that looks like it was designed for free on geocites in 1997. Throwing spears at the mans grave is pretty classless, imho.

Sure. 4 years. 2024 election will be between Harris and Nikki Halley. Mark the tapes.

How long before the POTUS reTweets this?

There are 3 national airlines that I know of that have never furloughed a pilot: SWA, FedEx, and JetBlue. Based on their balance sheets and the nature of the current threat, I'm really confident those 3 will continue the streak. I wouldn't be surprised if the F word hits 1-2 of their peers though.

Sample size of one: I left an H model ANG Wing 6 months ago. In my 17 years in the AF I had never been in a squadron with higher morale.

It's true - you will entirely separate from your ANG unit and technically be a Reservist on Extended Active Duty orders. Your ANG unit does not have to hire you back when your 3 years are up. I'm not sure why AFPC would accept an unsponsored Reservist, since the intent here to to provide experienced manning in critically undermanned billets. That being said, the worst they can say is "no thanks." I decided to agree to VLPAD in order to chase an Active duty retirement. Since 3 years would get me just a few month short of 18 years - and thus into sanctuary - I felt like I was rolling the dice big time, because I had a good thing going with my Guard unit and my airline job. Since VLPAD qualifies you for the pilot retention bonus, I just signed on for 4 years (at $35k/yr) which will get me to retirement before my USSERA protections run out. Win for me because I'm getting an extra $140k to do what I was willing to do for free, and win for the AF because they have me by the nuts for 4 years.

Everything you are asking about is protected by USERRA. Your new boss can be douchey about it all he/she wants, but at the end of the day you are protected by federal law. Familiarize yourself with USERRA protections (because your company likely won't), get in touch with the companies military affairs personnel, and stand your ground if they are trying to give you the shaft.

Most of what you asked will vary by squadron. One deployment every 2 years is a realistic expectation. If you want 4 months you'll get it, if you only want 2 you might not (will vary by squadron). My last deployment was a year ago, and we were flying a lot more than we were in the 2013-2014 time frame. Every other day was about average, but of cource in this airplane a full day can be anywhere between 2.0 and 12.0 on the 781s. If you are looking for hours quickly, the C-130 is not the best plane for you. If you are a good dude and you fly regularly, getting to AC upgrade within 2 years of being MR is not uncommon (will vary by squadron). Bumming is still an option, but we have a dysfunctional government that shuts down sometimes, NGB promises money then takes it away, and days sometimes disappear down the memory hole. If I was talking to anyone other than a. single Lieutenant with no kids, I would not recommend it as a sole means of income. Your ability to reliably bum will vary by squadron. Did I mention that all these things will vary by squadron? without AMC as the godhead of the Herc community, you see a lot more variation among the units than the Active Duty ones. Figure out where you'd like to work and ask these questions to the bros there - they will be a better source than the internet.

Except he doesn't speak truths, pretty much ever. Obama's wiretaps, Arabs dancing in New Jersey, millions of illegal voters,Ted Cruz's dad in Dallas, inauguration crowds, his opposition to the Iraq War . . . . . The man is so full of shit, when he happens to say something factual I'm more inclined to cite the broken clock theorem than attribute it to any political wisdom. If the special prosecutor finds collusion with the Russians I don't for one second think it's because of malice. He's demonstrated over and over he's just so incompetent that this kind of thing could happen right under his nose and he's too busy tweeting about Kristen Stewart's boyfriend to know what's going on.

So valid though. I used to be on here damn near every day. Now I might see it once a week. I didn't know APC existed until about 2 years ago.

The Chipotle is still open on the BPC side though, right?

What's "the brief?" The SIB?

SWA & JetBlue by far - generally on time, good customer service, and they've never lost my bag. Never flown Virgin or Alaska but have heard good things. Almost every single time I've flown on one of the big 4 (now 3) in the last decade, it's been cramped, I get in late, they lose my luggage, and/or their service is crap. Also, their flight attendants look like AARP cover models. I know there are valid reason why, but when you compare them to European and Middle Eastern flag carriers, it's embarrassing.

Originally was a YouTube link. Video said it was pulled for copyright infringement. They're still in the race?

dead link

You just took a bunch of money to leave active duty and you landed a good job. Now you want to go back on AD, at a UPT base, as a Captain? Huh? The return to AD guys we picked up back in '10 & '11 were all 0-5s who were furloughed and working for the Guard. They came back on AD to try and earn a AD retirement (most of them did), and because they were 0-5s that were legally non-promotable. No one wanted to fuck with them. I doubt that would be the case with you. Do you really want to leave a gig at a major so you can make 2nd year pay, work 55 hours a week, live in a podunk town, and have your wings taken away by a power-tripping Wing King over jokes taken out of context in private text messages? To each his own I guess...

https://www.hanscom.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123459914#.Vg6aHi39WuE.facebook It appears two of the departed were FAST members deployed from Hanscomb.

How about we use this space to pay respect & admiration to the men and/or women who gave their lives today, and just not speculate at all on their identities/bases/etc. until such information is released through formal channels.

I don't think anyone would disagree with you there. But when we have guys getting a 50% rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome supposedly acquired from the AOR chow halls, or PTSD from seeing coffins in the back of an airplane (personal knowledge of both), I don't have a problem judging some people as frauds. If you are in worse shape when you get out than when you got in, as a result of your service, than by all means you are entitled to and should make a claim. But if you are in worse shape because you eat like shit and don't exercise, or you were a train wreck to begin with, don't stick it to the Amrican taxpayer because it's an easy buck. Those people piss me off.

I'd say this is probably indicative of the quality of instruction this outfit is willing to give you. It's your ticket - do what seems most appropriate.

Great, now we get to hear more platitudes from Butters.

I was there last summer - never once wore a reflective belt, no one asked for the color of my socks, and my moustache was long enough that I could curl the ends around like Doc Holiday. Hopefully base leadership has kept that trend going.

I didn't make a VA claim when I separated, but I know several guys who did and are current airline guys (including one at SWA). It will end up getting documented on your Class 1 physical, and the AME will need to clear you to fly. Sleep apnea and PTSD are the two that I have heard may keep you from flying. The guys I know told me their disability was for joint/muscle/bone problems.