ILoveScotch

Don't tell me Cannon AFB had crazy infrastructure. That base was left for dead by ACC. I don't have enough experiance with the others to comment.

Re-basing for QoL solves the big issues (eventually), doesn't it? Air Force brass just need to cry uncle, already. Either allow us to strategically move the damn GCSs or lose a good portion of CAPs. Take your pick. Waiting for the force to capitulate so you can keep your star(s) is just rotten leadership, IMO. I also don't see an issue with E's flying ISR. From what I hear, it isn't that complicated...

Will never happen. Because, as I'm sure you are all aware, we are a permanent stimulus package. $17.5k x (what, 2000 pilots?) = $35M a year. How much to build new bases in new locations? Yeahhhhh... Cannon AFB, a base which everyone knew needed to be closed, was kept open due to politics. Fact. Congress only cares about our morale and welfare so long as it keeps them in office. The base situation won't change. If you aren't going to improve QoL, pay us for the inconveniance of living in shitty areas so you can stay in office. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

I don't get it. Are you saying I lack sufficient motivation to assist in needless foreign rabble rousing while being stationed in low income, low population areas where I'm not able to fully enjoy my 20s, 30's and half of my 40's? I guess you're right. However, pay me more and promise me $45-50k for the rest of my life (to do nothing) and I'm willing to 'make the sacrifice'. No world wars going on right now that require a Patton or a Mitchell. Just bullshit conflicts that we instigate, just because... Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

My penis is bigger than all of yours. Because I fly a ______. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Not sure what your point is. Which would you prefer to be? Finance officer or RPA aircrew? I'm guessing RPA aircrew, despite the suck. Wait, or were you just taking an opportunity to take a dig at the "shoeclerks"? Classy. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Ok, so Holloman doesn't suck less than ops. If that's the case, then yeah, short term fix is bonus or RPA incentive pay to keep people from leaving long enough to get RPAs healthy. You're going to have to spend money anyway you cut it. Either pay RPA operators more, foot the bill to move RPAs to better QoL locations, or pay the contractor price. Stop loss isn't a valid option. It's a last ditch maneuver that won't yield anything positive long term. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Genuinely curious: What is the holdup in doubling holloman? Manpower? If a guy wanted to teach at the schoolhouse through 20, is he able to? I guess I don't understand. Shouldn't the schoolhouse have no problems finding IPs if Ops life is so terrible? Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Give it 5 years and RPAs will be in vogue. Eventually the problem will resolve itself. It's not a bad gig, especially once the ops tempo issues get resolved. People are just trapped in their egos right now. The reality is computers can fly better. We are dinosaurs... it's just a matter of time. Don't worry, you can still wear your flight jacket and expensive watch. Flame suit on! Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Chang, you know pilot manning is screwed when pilots who "would never take an airline job" are quietly taking time off to get their ATPs "just in case." I know a lot of people that fall into that category. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk To be fair, this likely has more to do with the recent change in rules governing ATP acquisition than anything else... Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Do you honestly believe there is a pilot shortage? In the AF? No. We'll likely lose experiance, but that'll be a leadership shortage, not a pilot shortage. In the airlines? It's what media and CSAF is saying. Sure, I guess. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Point taken. I recognize a military career can be rough on the family. To be fair though, you can't blame the Air Force for that. Nature of the business...

I can understand your point of view. I've met several pilots in my career that just like flying, whatever kind of flying it is. For me, the fun is in actually doing something with the airplane. Point A to Point B stuff is just kind of a drag, personally. Best of luck to all of you who pull chocks and separate. Really, I think the pilot shortage is a win/win for both groups -- those that stay in and those that decide to leave.

I know you guys are aircrew, and as aircrew, I'm fully aware that we bitch a lot. But man, you guys REALLY bitch a lot. I took the bonus. $155k/year is what I'd have to make on the outside to achieve the same take home pay. Is it the best job in the world? Probably not. But the airlines never appealed to me, and are full of their own pitfalls. I'm 35 years old and I make $155k/year. For a single guy, that's a lot of money. I'm fully aware a 365 has my name on it, at some point. That's fine, even more money to stash away (tax free). The job isn't that bad. Some guys have it worse than others, sure. But at 20 years, those of us that stayed in get to retire and do what we really want to do with the rest of our lives. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Figured I'd throw in an opinion that goes against the norm here. Bitch away...