SocialD

Cool read about a crew making it happen! That book led to me picking up a few more books on Pan-AM (one linked above), which are a pretty cool bit of history if you're a WW2/Airline nerd. You really get and idea of how Pan-Am was able to become such a power house...not many can compete when the government is propping you up! Great stories of doing what needed to be done for the good of the nation. I'd like to think today we'd do what needed to be done, but the cynical side of me thinks American's would be dying because assets would be delayed as they were tied up in litigation. China Clipper - The Secret Pre-War Story of Pan American's Flying Boats.

I'd consider the Guard + other flying options. Regionals are a great place to gain some experience and check the box. With your time, even if you had to go to a regional, I'd be surprised if you had to stay there very long. Also, don't count out places like Atlas, ATI, etc... Some of those places allow you to be home based, so you could conveniently live wherever the spouse career allows.

Bring back Pan-Am!

My bad, the airline got lost in the quotes. Post edited to say DAL.

Edit: At DAL. I may have worded my post poorly. A reserve pilot on a day off (currently not sitting reserve) absolutely can pickup premium flying, it's just at single pay (ABOVE your monthly guarantee) rather than double pay, but you also get compensatory days off later in the month. In fact, GSing on reserve can often be much more lucrative than GSing as a line holder. Eg...say this month your reserve guarantee is 75 hours and you're on call the 16th through the 31th of the month, with the 1st through the 15th as days off. On the 1st of the month you get called for a 3 day Greenslip worth 16 hours. Add that to your reserve guarantee...75+16 = 91 hours is now your pay and your reserve days on the 16th through the 18th are dropped and are now off days. On the 5th you get called for another 3 day worth 16 hours...your pay is now 91+16 = 107 hours and now the reserve days on the 19th through the 21st are dropped and are now off days. Keep repeating that (if you're lucky) and you could end the month with ~150 hours of pay and never have actually sat a day of reserve. On the flip side, if you get a GS on an off day and there are no more reserve days left in the month, those days go into a bank that can be used at a later date to drop days of work for pay. If used properly, these are absolute gold. Lots of nuance in how they can be used, but I once used three of these to get paid ~32 hours to fly a single, 8 hour, 1 day trip. You an also pick up premium flying while ON reserve days...essentially you're making yourself a short call pilot by doing that. In that case, only the first days flying goes on top of guarantee and you get no payback days (since you were on call already). Sometimes it's a good deal, sometimes it's not worth the effort.

Ya, that's working way too damn hard. As someone who often bids reserve, I love people like that. I much prefer that they fly those trips and I stay home. Hoping to follow in your foot steps and retire early...hopefully around the same time I'll start collecting my Guard retirement (circa 57 years old). May stay longer if I still have the ability to drop my entire schedule and just fly what I want. That's the hope/plan for now anyway. Airlinepilotforums, airlineapps, pilotcredentials, FDX/UPS websites, The Pilot Network on FB. Double pay for line holders. For reserve pilots, every day flown on an off day is pay above reserve guarantee, then you get the same number of days of reserve dropped later in the month. That's what you'll hear DAL bros refer to as "rolling thunder."

I'm just amazed that they actually got the iPad approved for us fighter guys. Of course they can't make it a total win, so they have to throw a wrench into the situation and have the system completely wipe itself clean after a month of inactivity. Makes total sense, would really hate for the enemy to get access to the Hi-Tacan approach plate! Works great for part-timers, or people returning from a deployment and the associated leaves. They just can't make things smooth and easy...

Soft pay is your friend! I'm currently at the lowest pay rate at DAL (717 FO...8th year pay). For this month, I'll have worked 11 days (well, now only 6 because I called in sick for a 5 day trip), flown less than 30 hours and I'll be paid for 97.5 hours (last month was 132 hours pay). That works out to be ~$16k for the month...18.5k if you add in company 401k contributions. I still have 11 day in the month to either pick up normal flying or pick up some overtime trips, that could easily nudge me over the 20k mark. I enjoy time off more than money so I doubt I'll actually pick anything else up. I had multiple 30k (plus 401k) months as a Widebody FO while only actually working 12 days (due to vacation, overtime "Greenslip" flying and getting paid on days I didn't actually work due to deviating dh). Last year, I was only active at DAL (MLOA the rest of the year) for 7 months and I made more than your example above. A former squadron mate has gotten 150 hours of pay (though not flying much), every month this year. Lots of schemes to make extra pay for very little effort, especially if you get senior. The big downside, is Uncle Sam takes a much bigger cut than you're used to. As a O-4 or O-5 on the bonus, you'll do just as good as a newer airline guy if you look just at straight pay. However, it's the time off that really wins the day for me (pay per day worked). I'm for keeping it as it acts as a natural shock absorber during times like this. We could monotize them as pay rate or whatever, but the next negotiating cycle, the other airlines will match and we'll be back at square one...just without PS. I've worked at a place w/o it and now with it, and I think keeping this type of "at risk" pay is great for the motivation of employees. As long as you're not one of the idiots that COUNT on the PS to keep them afloat, then not having it is not that big of a deal. Though I don't expect to see pre-covid numbers soon, based on what I'm seeing, I'd expect to see PS in the next year or two.

Crazy, I thought that shit was just made up about other airlines not having FAs and pilots staying at the same hotel....definitely not the case at DAL. It's not like we hang out with the FAs all the time, but Internationally, some captains will invite the entire crew (13 of us) out to dinner. With the right crew, it can be an absolute blast! Domestically, we stay at the same hotels but it's not all that often we overnight with the crews we fly with because they usually continue on. Just prior to covid, we were experimenting with hard pairing pilots and FAs for the entire trip. A buddy did a few of those trips and said it was absolutely great! It's nice to have more options of people to hang with, especially if the CA is a slam-clicker. Of course if you don't care for them, just pass on meeting up.

One might even say, he knew this may be the outcome. Get your name in the limelight, book is promoted and get out of the military...that's like 3 birds with one stone! We have a pilot at DAL that appears to be doing pretty much the same thing.

The Guard had one a few years back, but they made it so restrictive that seriously only 2.5% of my squadron was eligible...that was 1 guy. I haven't heard of it coming back, I hear the airlines aren't hiring for "quite a few years," so retention isn't a problem anymore.

I'm in general agreement with Brabus Johnson, but my (fighter) squadron recently hired a Captain who is a BUFF Nav, so anything is possible. Now it's slightly different because he is already rated, but you just never know. Make them tell you no!

The gas shortage that wasn't. Panic buying caused long lines but there wasn't really a supply problem. People lose their minds based on sensational news stories. Anecdotally, my uncle just drove home through 3 of the states states that were "most hit." Aside from spending a few extra minutes in line (panic buying), he didn't have a problem getting gas. He noted a few gas stations appeared to be out of gas, but hell, I saw that in Tennessee driving home during spring break this year. I remember on the evening of 9/11, even in my podunk town (pop. ~900), our lone gas station had a line of nearly 100 cars. This same thing has played out numerous times since, and so far they've all ended up a nothing burger. So far...because I acknowledge the reports that our infrastructure is vulnerable and I'm hoping IT (or government) spending will be going up soon for our those companies.

Generally speaking, if there is time, crews get together for dinner and beer at night. On long layovers (30+ hours) I've rented cars and and went sightseeing (Glacier National Park, among others) with the Captain. I was trying to get a 48 hour Paris, to try to get up to Normandy, then that bitch rona showed up and ruined everything. On one trip the Captain reached out to me before the trip started and we set up an whole day on a long Boise layover. We rented a car and went up into the mountains, rented 4-wheelers and had a blast. Ended the day at an awesome brew pub near the hotel. Then there are the slam-clickers...boooo!!!! Back to the general camaraderie part....one of my now good friends was someone from my indoc class. We ran into each other a few years ago and figured out we live like 3 miles from each other. Just had lunch with him today. He flies in the Reserves so we have that other common ground as well. Domestically, I try to keep to 3 day trips max. I'll cook some food to make 2 meals on the road, then I pack fruit, nuts and cliff bars to get through the day. I also take a Black Rifle company pour over kit, grind up some coffee before I leave the house and I make my own coffee each the morning before pickup. Plenty of options out there for flight kit bags that double as a cooler. Internationally, I'd take a meal for the leg over and have the FAs warm it for me. If carry whatever dried food International rules allow. On the return leg, I'd usually either bring leftovers from the layover or hit up a grocery store and buy some stuff for a meal. You can eat relatively healthy on the road it just takes some discipline and a little extra work.

One of the greatest things about the ANG is being in the same place for all 20 years. That said, there are plenty of opportunities to go around, especially in the coming years as the airline hiring ramps up. Our OG receives opportunities all the time for random assignments. There are even more to be found if you seek them out. Not long ago, they were seeking volunteers to go to EUCOM for a 3-year AD assignment just to fill a pilot position (ie...not a staff job/embassy job/etc...). There are other opportunities for 30 day, 90 day, 180 day and 365 day assignments here and there. I was looking at a 180 days to Hickam...then I got my airline job so it didn't pan out. Another thing that is a great option is the State Partnership Program. Basically every state has a partner country or two and we have officers who fills a full time billet in each country as a part of that program. A UPT buddy did this gig in Estonia and absolutely loved it. Our two partner countries would be amazing assignments. I considered applying for it, but again the airlines called. It's mostly a sleepy little assignment with LOTS of opportunity to travel...you just have to wear your blues occasionally. 🤮

What Brabus said above. I'll add to it that I'm guessing nearly every airline has "base housing," or a town/burb where lots of pilots live. I'm sure they have it at multiple bases as well, but an example would be Peachtree City in ATL. Lots of guys say they'd never live in a place like that, while others absolutely love it. If you're not committed to any one location yet, I'd consider not buying (especially in todays ridiculous market) until you get hired at your desired airline. If you start planting roots in one location that isn't a hub, you may just be commuting yourself to a life time of commuting. Just about every major base has great locations and you'll make friends pretty much anywhere...and if you live in base, you'll actually have time to hang out with said newfound friends. lol.

Crazy. Well we'll soon have a guy headed to ROPMA for O-5. He's a one-each great dude, been a part timer most of his career, is a FLT/CC, 4-Ship FL (non-IP), never the head of a shop and he didn't do SOS or ACSC. He however is a very active participate that goes on every squadron TDY/deployment and he can grow a righteous mustache. I guess he'll be our latest trial case to see what happens. I heard of some wild shit happened in the tanker wing in our state, under a different TAG. Dude was Federally recognized as a Lt Col, but not State recognized (I don't know the proper verbiage) because TAG didn't like that he hadn't done SOS or ACSC. SOOOOO, he got paid as a O-5, but had to wear O-4 rank while doing state duties. I could be screwing that up, but I think that's the story. That's what I call two birds, one stone!

Are you in the Reserves or ANG...or is it just that different in the heavy world? Aside from one guy going for O-6, I've seriously never heard of anyone being passed over in the ANG, ever. I've never even heard of people worrying about a DP vs P, or if they'll be passed over or how their OPR looks, even for their O-5 board. You're in the Guard, your job is not necessarily to go out and get every qual known to man, not to have a bunch of additional duties and not to seek out OPR fodder. Your job is to maintain your currencies and be ready to go as needed. That said, I agree with your assessment on going to a ROPMA board...if you have all that fluff, there should be no way you're not promoted at the ROPMA board. You get 4 or 5 years to finish it. I did ACSC over 2 deployments and while on UTAs/AFTPs/other orders while I was a 3-5 year WB FO...sometimes I'd work on it on a rainy overnight in AMS. I did the program you mention (not the old one), where it has like 4 proctored applied sections and 8 unproctored sections. We did have a guy in the squadron (3rd UPS dude) who knocked it out in 6 months...dude was somehow signed up for 2 different proctored course at the same time. I'm definitely not advocating that everyone should do it, but it sure can be done with relative ease while being paid. I most definitely wouldn't be doing it while NOT in some form of pay status.

Good words, especially if you're in a unit, that for some reason doesn't seem to PV people. It's a sad day in the Guard when you have leaders who don't PV guys even if there are spots and when you have to worry about "showing your airline cards." A question I was asked, and we still ask during UPT interviews is, "we are a part time force and full time jobs aren't always available, what are your plans for full time employment?" The mission of the full timers is to ensure we have a good part time force...part time should be welcomed, not shunned.

Unless you already have your 20, rush a Guard unit, you'll still get that but not all the rest of the full time ass pain. Otherwise bail, every single Captain I've flown with who had recently gotten out, didn't regret it one bit. Most say they missed it for like 2 weeks, then they realized there was a whole other life they now get to live. I absolutely can't wait...have my 20, just another year for my 3 years in grade. Is going overseas, spending more time away from home really worth it to you? I've flown with a few guys who did that stuff and there is NFW I'd be doing that shit. However minuscule, it's honestly just not worth the risk IMHO. You'll make yourself a much better candidate by doing some regional/ACMI flying. I'd apply at the ACMI carriers, Spirit or a regional where you can live in base. In my both of my legacy airline indoc classes, there were former mil guys who had been at a regional...most of them barely finished OE when they received the call. Basically, as soon as they finished their checkride, they updated their resume/checked the 121 box and were immediately called for interviews. I'm convinced that going to a regional is the only reason I got hired so early in 2014. At the time, only shop chiefs/DOs/CC/s, who had 1700+ Viper hours (IP/EP quals) were getting called. Then here I was, a scheduler with 850 in the Viper (1700 TT) and only a 4-ship FL, getting hired by two legacies. A good friend in the squadron was hired circa 2016 at UPS and FDX (and interviewed at another legacy), with basically the same quals as me (lower time Viper driver/NON-IP). We're both convinced the only reason we were called was because we had both gone to a regional. I actually only had a little 100 hours of 121 time...I think checking the box was enough. I wouldn't hesitate to go to Kalitta if they offered an interview.

Time to send them back to the Guard so our MX guys can unfuck them again, then the AD can take them back.

Did anyone really believe he would get a fair trial or impartial jury? Dude was good as guilty before the opening statements started. He'd have been better off fleeing the country. To your second comment, I've already witnessed this happen locally. Quite a few of our part timers are LEOs and many of them are seeking full time employment on base right now. One of them in OPS just took a stripe off to get a position. They all say the same thing, it's getting worse wrt the aggressive interactions and you're just one edited video away from being fired or put in prison. Even before all of this, the stories these guys would tell you were ridiculously eye-opening. They deal with a segment of society that many don't belive exists.

Had it for a hot minute, but dropped it because of our LTD at DAL. 50% of my current earnings is plenty for me for now. Right! In reference to the bonus, you even had a few who smugly proclaimed on a few FB groups that "airlines won't be hiring for years." Meanwhile, guys who were recently on a "no-fly" status just got awarded Captain and guys with 5 years on property were awarded 75/76 Captain. I'd expect for us (DAL) to announce hiring soon as well. What a whacky time in this business. Bottom line, big miscalculation by the AF and .gov.

Damn Jazz, you did better than I would have. I'd have called the OG/CC or WG/CC on their personal cell phone and had the SrA explain his fuckup to them. I wouldn't have wanted an apology from him, as after that phone call it would have been a one way conversation about knowing your job before acting like and idiot (in the face of your partner giving you the correct info). If I had missed my sortie, I'd have walked over to the SFS/CC and had a chat as well. To the topic of the recent shooting, sure she fucked up, but dude would be alive if he hadn't resisted. Let's see, warrant for attempted robbery and carrying a weapon without a permit. Pulled over then begins a struggle with the cops for no apparent reason. She may very well have saved another life had he gotten away and led them on a high speed chase, which it appears he'd have done...ya, not feeling bad for him.

Which ever one allows you to live in base. DAL was only about half way through the contract when the ronas started. So far it had some nice little add-ons here and there (pay above guarantee for unused SC, etc...), but they really hadn't gotten to the meat of the contract. I'd guess you'll see more stuff happening later this year or early next. Possibly early if it's something that will help the recovery efforts. Honestly, I'm hoping it will be mostly work rule related (more than pay rates), which will be mostly boring from outsiders looking in.