disgruntledemployee

My fully charged ipad can usually last the entire day, sometimes 3 legs (depending on the ios update and the battery drain changes they make each time). And that's with wifi on in the air where we can receive wx updates. If I need a charge, the 737 has a standard 115v AC outlet. However, the company has an approved panel they're adding in with USB power outlets on both sides of the cockpit. Out

You know, here's an area the AF could borrow a page from the airline playbook. UAL, company issued ipad with Jepp, WX, Go/No-go (their version), crew papers, all pubs, and any other app needed to fly a plane. It snaps into a holder on the plane so its secure in flight. Updates are pushed (pubs) or hit update (Jepp) to ensure the latest data. Ipad is wifi and cellular. I can update it at home on my own wifi, on the way to the airport, in a hotel room off free wifi, or at Starbucks getting the morning coffee. So, an easy solution exists. The cost of fear is what's stopping them. Out

At United, 737, been there over a year, mostly on reserve. Chose UAL as its closest to home, easy commute, looking at decent growth, has both domestic and international ops, and appears to have a good leadership team. Did ECIC x2. Interviewed with Endeavor, Atlas, SWA, and Delta. Even though I didn't want to fly regionals or 2nd tier cargo, I took those interviews and I don't regret the experience one bit. It all counts. Even after ECIC prep in person and via phone, there's nothing like doing the real deal. Interview stories. There's a short list of general topic areas to develop your stories and often our stories can fulfill multiple areas. In one interview, I was asked a question I hadn't really thought about nor had a well fitted story for. But I took their question and somewhat morphed it into a story I did have. Of course I shortly explained the theme and asked if they'd like to hear that one and they said sure. Oh, one other quick thing as I read Toro's post. If they say you're the Capt, sometimes it really helps you answer by understanding Capt's stuff at airline X. "Well sir, as a Capt at AA, I should have x years experience and fully understand SOPs regarding this kind if issue." Ask questions and go. Funny Toro. Interview life vs real life. Oh can't forget, pay (why I edited). 1st year with retirement and 90 days leave sell back, broke even and that was awesome (doesn't include company 17% 401k contributions). 2nd year I estimate about 20K more plus about 20K in 401k.

I read somewhere that the UCMJ charge the asshole was convicted under didn't translate exactly over to the civil laws that help prevent abusers from passing background checks for a gun. So you may see a change to the UCMJ to help fix the glitch. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, thousands of billable hours are being spent reporting crimes to civil databases. I can't wait to see MyIDcare ping a bunch of nearby sex offenders. Out

That 10,000 gallon douche! Just to make sure he sees this when he google gargles his own name, john venable. Hell, was probably pointing at his patches as he made up numbers for how much it cost to make himself in that article. This line is so good, it's an instant classic: " and enticing some of these “graybeards” to return will be relatively easy. " I'll make it easy, just follow my list. 1. I pick where to serve. Easy. 2. I fly. And I pick when. Easy. 3. I will have an office and beer will be in the fridge at all times. So Easy. 4. No PT test, ever! Insanely Easy! 5. No deployment, ever! Easy. 6. I keep 100% of my retirement pay. I'm sure there's a way. 7. My salary will be 100% tax free and will be based on my monthly base pay at my airline at my seniority number. Act of Congress, if well motivated, is possible. 8. I can leave whenever I want. Easy. 9. No OPRs, 1206s, CBTs, etc (code for anything else/qweepy I don't want to do). Easy. 10. 36-2903 is waived. I get to wear whatever uniform items I have in my closet in whatever combination I come up with. I'm thinking the old white "blues" service coat with all, some, or no medals, V-neck t-shirt in brown, 1st generation PT shorts in my regular size (alright, XXXL will keep the creeper sweepers away), and black boots with white socks. Hat will be an "operator" cap! If I decide to wear one. Easy, just close your eyes when I walk by the front office. 11. On wingman day, I will hold council in my office where we will talk about beer, gambling, flying, airlines, airline apps, what's hot, guns, beer and guns, tell stories and other fun shit. Easiest thing in the world. 12. Once a month, I will lead a formation low level to some place cool. Jan - St Croix. Feb - Wherever they grow cheap roses. Mar - any NCAA tournament city, but just for 1 night; don't want to get it too much trouble. Apr - A Florida Spring Break hot spot. May - Cali. Jun - Vancouver. Jul - Anchorage. Aug - St Johns. Sep - Dealers choice. Oct - the best Octoberfest in America. Nov - Vegas. Dec - Hawaii (I'm sure there's a JAATT that needs filling out there). Easy. So in summary, compensation scale tipped towards AF, all bullshit removed, and AF QOL improved. Easy. Out

Funny, but we're now in this situation because lots have left, but nobody came to replace us.

OK, but now the promo game has changed for the next few years. The man (or woman) to impress is the CC, not a board, at least til O-5. We may see unit/aircraft performance become the leading indicator of leadership and promotion. Records will still need good (enough) paper for O-5 and on, and for PSCing to that new boss. I think it'll be an interesting period and a process that may stick around for more than 4 years/boards. What will be interesting is the outside pressures to keep people instead of letting them go. Out

So making O-4 is like making O-3. Seems so easy. Place all the DNPs in a pile, review for justice or injustice and make the call. Everyone else moves along. Wow, I just saved hundreds of hundreds of man-person hours on a promotion process. Next... Out

Then Secret is all you need. If you are ever assigned into a billet or deployment role that requires one (say WIC or a lengthy trip to the Deid AOC), then you'd start the process. However, they do take time, but the fall back for that is an interim TS that can be granted, if you're worthy. Out

How about making all military pay tax free? That would probably have an effect on retention and recruiting. Oh, and the only people that would deploy would be those that really need to. Wait, scratch that. I propose all military pay be tax free after the first $100. That way we'd still be considered "tax payers" and not merely mercs. Symbology, you know. Out

How bout this idea? A flying deployment usually meant some extra coin and tax free. But hey, we're flying. A 179 or 365 non-flying, screw that. So, I propose a 179 pays an extra chunk of change, and a 365 even more so. It does 2 things, generates volunteers and deletes requirements. The AF shouldn't want to shell out for 10 dudes handing out towels at the gym and after a few rotes, they'll figure out how to cut down on the extraneous. Plus, they may start having folks do work that can be done stateside or make rotes much shorter. So all I'm saying is that if those long deployments are truly worth it, pay up an extra few thou a month. We already have Es doing deployments to gain tax free on re-up bonuses, so this kind of thing can work. Hell, they can even put a varying price tag depending on location and level of shit to deal with. Double a man's salary and someone will go to Asskrakistan for a few. And get rid of the "179" label. Make it 180 and give some credit. Sheesh! And beer in every location!

Well, whenever I do something to influence elections, I always make sure it looks like the Ruskies did it. Always. Anyone would believe that. Out

Name change. HPO is now HIPO or HiPO or even Hipo will work. The imagery in my mind as you all mention one was too corollary. You're welcome. Out.

No one. Which is why Chang is fishing for suckers. "You'll make O-6" and "you'll make General" and "it's a career rocket" are the corporate motivators. I'd rather drop MOABs, which seems a bit more effective at killin' bad guys. Besides, anyone can sell their soul and make O-6, but only a few can say they dropped the biggest fuckin bomb we have... well I'd like to see a bunch more that can say they dropped it. Out

I blame the Kardashians and all their kind. And Apple. And Google. And Spacebook. And Twittergram. And Tindergrinder. Really, it's all Al Gore's fault. And Goya with his nudie paintings. Out

One weakness on the M&P Shield (at least when I bought mine) was the recoil spring assembly. The metal washer/disk that engages the barrel is thin and prone to bending. It was too easy to bend if not lined up perfectly for reassembly. When I called customer support, then didn't even ask for my serial number, just my address to ship out a new one. Perhaps Smith and/or Wesson has improved this part on the Shield. "They" make better aftermarket stainless drop-in assemblies. Out

Just saw a story that Trump asked VADM Robert Harward to take the job, but turned it down. For those that don't know, Harward was a 1 star that Mattis picked to jump up to 3 stars and be his vice at JFCOM. And when Mattis went to CENTCOM, Harward went too and did the deputy deal again. Reputation alone, looks like he was a sound choice. I think that our opponents on the world stage shit a brick upon hearing the name, and are now drunk with relief that he said no thanks. Out

The timeline was much closer to well under a year than 1-2 years. One night, two new CPs smack in the middle of their flying training come in and mention that they will PCS to something else and feared it would be RPAs as those were most definitely on the list. A total fucking shit show. So my advice that night was to go fly, do well, and discuss career options during the debrief over a beer. And this was McDew's 18th AF. Out

What are you so afraid of? That politics play into national security decisions? BTW, I think I once read that a president (last 30 yrs?) rarely ever used the NCS. Law says he gets to have one and calls out specific positions, but does the law mandate how the NCS is used? And I'm too old or lazy to look up sources. Look, the Pres is going to listen to whomever he wants for whatever reasons, just like all the ones in the past. If the Pres thinks that putting a politics guy in the fish bowl to "stir it up" because he thinks that may yield better results, let him try it. If the dude fucks it up, he'll get fired. I heard 2x Obama holdovers got canned already for not following orders. Did O ever fire anyone? And I'm not talking about the touchy feely mention of someone resigning but was actually fired. This Pres flat out fired two people. Now I've got to get ready to see Tom Brady lose it tonight, you all have fun out there. Out

Hey, an easy way to talk to a Congress Man, I'll bite. And this one can't be too hard to tack on to a Defense bill. Did you know that when any of us has a pay issue that results in over payment, DFAS will start charging the member 5% interest until its paid. This occurs even if the amount is in dispute/wrong. And to get any of that interest back takes a very long time (I'm at a year). The red tape is soooooooooooooo excruciating in that department. So, I propose that DFAS can't charge interest any higher than my checking account, currently less than 1%. Tie it to the Fed rate, no more. BTW, if anyone here is making 5% on a savings or checking account, please tell me know; DFAS isn't into banking yet. So there, an easy line item change to current law. Reduce the interest rate DFAS can charge on debts. Out

Mattis would be a really good choice. However, I don't think you'll see a yuge (Trumpism) growth spurt in defense. From my time in the same organization and others that worked around him, he's not much for red tape, inefficiency, and large staffs. A lot of DCers could be looking elsewhere for a job. And talk about someone that knows the world and the inhabitants. In a way, making him Secretary of War (I kinda like the old name) sends the world a great message, and one of my favorite quotes of his, " I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." I mean think of it, when was the last time the persona of a SecDef sent chills down the spine of our adversaries? Great choice, can't wait for the annoucement Out

But I wonder, does Obama really care that much about her to grant a pardon for charges yet stated? It's like saying, "I know she's guilty enough to get charged and possibly convicted." Perhaps he allows her to sleep in the bed she made and give Bill one more jab. Well, maybe he does it because doing so will insulate himself from legal scrutiny should they make any criminal links to him. However, I do think the foundation is shitting its pants right now and burning everything. That is probably fair game and Obama doesn't touch that potato. AG Giuliani, I think it fits. Out

I woke up to the news. We're not out of the woods yet, but I'm very happy the person that can't take any accountability for anything (quite dishonorable, IMO) is done and the Clintons are done. Wife and I concluded that Clinton is unchangeable, but Trump can probably improve himself and move towards being the leader we need. Oh, and DC is shitting its pants Out Mods? Can we get a thread title change and add "Trump" at the end?

Nope. Tell us what you think... or don't. Its a thread about the next President. And I care, but I can't undo what's about to happen, hence the beer, which is a lovely Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue. Out.

Maybe some of you eat this stuff up. Perhaps, you're confident your horse will win. I'm actually nauseated for our future. I'm turning off the TV and watching some Netflix. I'll wake up tomorrow and maybe I'll care to see what happened. I need a beer. Out