HuggyU2

I did 2 laps on the Circuit of the Americas in an Aston Martin DB9... ... with an instructor watching me. But I'm now "a race car driver". So annoying.

I spoke to an O-6 yesterday and he said about 40 had signed up. I asked if any were pilots and he said "yes". But that's about all I found out.

Sure looks like it. My last inquiry to AFPC was in August, and here is their reply: "We are still waiting on OPM to make a decision and once we have that answer, we will know which way the program is going to go. Assuming they decide favorably, we will begin with an advertisement for the positions and start the selection process all over again. I would not expect to hear anything for the next few months at best. I am sorry this is taking so long but we are trying to reshape a portion of how pilot training is conducted in the Air Force and with a change that big there are always issues that need to be addressed."

CH, I agree with you. Except that the bump to my pay would be only about $1900, since it's a percentage of base pay... so even less enticing, since an extra 15 days of airline work will cover that. If the airline world falls apart, they may get some takers. But otherwise, no.

I believe it will reset your base pay for retirement pay calculations. In my case, base pay has gone up $2800 since I retired in 2014 Most pilots considering this already know where they want to go. And if they don't get exactly that, they simply won't accept the orders. The FAQ says you can turn down a PCS. If you do, you are released from the VRRAD

No one is happy after a merger... if it goes well. I can't speak for everyone... but I took it in the shorts with our seniority list integration. Oh well... move on and don't dwell on what you cannot control.

I did the VRAAD from 2010-2014. Kind of a funny story.

Well... if Pete Buttigieg is behind this, I have no doubt the data has been well researched. Seriously though... The "safety" data is there. Read it how you want. This is a political issue.

Let me guess: a Slife initiative?

That doesn't fall into the category of "Things I Want to Hear About".

I would hope the Captain (pictured) is not his main defense attorney, and that he has hired a highly experienced professional.

RE-apply?? Sounds like SWA sub-contracted their HR/ People Dept to AFPC.

In the one in the 777 at FL350.

Who is this guy?

Just sayin'...

A number of years ago, Beale went from 9 to 18 holes. However, 3 years ago the course closed. There is a local country club just 10 minutes out the Flightline gate that I'm sure is happy to grab a few more members. Like Blue, I recall back in the late 80's or early 90's when MWR "deals" began to become "not good deals". I saw it at the O'Club primarily. MWR is a far cry from what it was when I was on active duty.

My close friend Ray was with me that day and got all four of them to sign this. Earl Aman was confined to a wheelchair with Lou Genrig's and died 2 years later. Pardo was selling those prints to raise money to help him. Here's a good pic of Aman.

Quick thread off-ramp: SAC gave us a patch to wear on our jackets. When the staffing was done, it was given to Gen Chain for final approval. He ticked a checkmark on the drawing to signify he approved it. His staff saw the check and figured it was something he wanted added... and so they did. He had a reputation for being pretty gruff and supposedly none of his staff wanted to ask him about it.

Other than that, would you say he's an ok guy?

Make sure you say "SAC Warriors" with some respect.

How did he get the Cat5 callsign?

Last year, I met a guy that took the early retirement from SWA and came to UAL... at 62 years old. I'm starting to wonder if me doing the reverse of that might be a good idea.

Upthx: what's the story on the Reese AFB coffee mug? Did a relative fly with them back in the day?

Exactly.

In 1996, I was co-chair of the annual POW Reunion at the 560th at Randolph. We got all four of the Pardo's Push guys there for the Friday social. We even got an F-4 on the ramp and had them pose by the tail. It was the first time all four had been together at the same time since the actual Push. Bob Houghton was the only guy we originally couldn't find. Keep in mind this is 1996... a lot harder to find people. Bob got word of the event about 36-48 hours prior to the event. IIRC he was doing missionary work in Africa. He jumped through hoops and made it there. These guys got a hero's welcome. I need to see if I can find some photos.