AirGuardianC141747

Agree DB. If you look like Superman, be Superman rather than Mystery Men. Both Good movies though serious and not so serious. Although with all the mentioned queep, it’s easy to be “The Shoveler!” At least he’s trying.

“Plenty of non-ILS landings in the Caravan in Afghanistan, but I digress..” But Homestar, I am pretty dang sure you could TLAR pretty much anything without a magenta line or even DME necessarily. You probably hand flew your gas can more than most while we hooked up. 141 specialized crews were spit out far more than the Barrel Body Globetrotter slipstream/ bow wave and all, . Stick and Rudder ain’t a bad skill to have at all. Heck we’ve been doing non-ILS into Bagram lately in a 74. It’s not as fun like it was on NVGs playing supposed tactical games, but we have our moments Whale riding. No pilot shortage now or for awhile, so might as well enjoy the fun flying before you get some more pay to be boring neck-tie and all.

Speeding off to the airlines (already having been hired on the line) as a Reserve/Guard type, totally get it based upon you gotta feed your family and you are after all part of the Reserve component and normally there is a warm up period/sometimes not, prior to activation - kind of depends on what your currency requirements are. Not all MDS’s are created equal. But just lying in wait not doing your part (it’s obvious to that individual there is no doubt) and speeding off to the airlines when the call comes.... Well.... Nothing to say, cuz they ain’t no speeding off now. That door is almost shut (bar the cargo gigs for the most part) and if hired now or fairly recently the jeopardy is well understood. This isn’t a get above the bottom 15% and no issues anymore. There is no speeding anywhere. “Fate IsThe Hunter”, is not just a memoir...

Sounds like a lack of passion, lack of duty, lack of responsibility, ok a whole bunch of lackey that needs to be driven out by leadership top to the bottom and Instructors are where the rubber meets the road. As a former instructor I relished the responsibility given to us to motivate and propagate that passion, etc above to maximize training events with vigor and realism with imaginative “what if” moments to our crews and not so much if, but when you find yourself needing to push the flight envelope/long duty periods during crisis/wartime events. (Nice run on sentence) Granted it was a lot easier right after 9/11 broadcasting this sh*t is for real and folks are counting on us - better yet you need to count on each other to stay alive. This is only from a former 141, but mostly my C17 perspective. Went from lackadaisical 2+ hour locals maybe some tanker time, etc. to 4,5,6+ and 8.3 being the longest which was definitely excessive and thought I could have been to Germany by now eating Schnitzel dammit; nevertheless we did double of everything (Tanker run, LLevel, Day Assaults, Grd Ops, pattern work, LLevel, back 2 tankers (dusk), NVG Assaults, Grd Ops, night pattern work dog tired) Definitely pinged the Higher Risk levels and we didn’t do it often, but it’s something when you prove everyone can do it and we weren’t even doing airdrop - kudos to you guys. Learned a lot from former SOLL II guys who pushed us on those extra parameters (legal for them/not for us) which was quite impressive and just more tricks in the bag. So much queep/extra duty/filling squares/CBTs, etc. pushed to the forefront when it needs to be sidelined for your pilot skills which need to be honed/sharpened. It’s not airline flying, you are the tip of the spear when something does rear it’s ugly head and lazy instructors are giving you the shaft. Judas Preist it’s not good when currency is overvalued and not proficiency which has been a cyclic issue. Commanders do your job, IP’s pass your skills, AC’s demand proficiency beyond up and downs, co-pilots push to fly. It’s sad when a few folks become seagulls and you gotta throw rocks at them to fly. I even see that in long haul in the commercial sector which is dumbfounding. Screw it, I want to fly and will steal legs when hesitation presents itself. I want to be up front, that is where the wizardry resides and I want more. “Always play a better tennis player when given the chance.” Apologies, it truly sucks when I hear Instructors don’t give a $h*t. No cents given, just common sense as you all understand. Thanks for the time.

Additional note regarding “Gateway” privileges. Must be greater than 130 miles from your domicile to be eligible. Airport normally must provide a couple of flights by two different carriers daily to reach main hubs, etc to be moved to your domicile and also provides the company the ability to move you to any airport where the aircraft turns to start your “pattern.” Granted, so many airports are already on the list and most requests are granted very easily it seems. ***”Gateway” is the reason most of us stay with this Company as jump seating/finding your own way is not a worry at all in any way. 95% or more commercial pilots jump back and forth, have crash pads or reside at their domicile to ease this burden. While “commuting” to work is not ideal, the kicker is we Live Where We Want. If you live in your dream location that just happens to be a domicile, no argument there - you have got it made as long as that domicile remains open. Have flown with many folks who have never left their home town which is amazing if that is your thing. We move quite a bit so it’s been a blessing while we find our way to the greenest pastures. Scheduling works with several guys roaming around in huge RVs half the year/all year and gateway out of places they travel to across the U.S. and if their wife drives somewhere else, he flies into the nearest airport she went too. Granted, it’s a good way to lose your stuff if she hates you! Bottom Line: Getting to work is literally half the pressure of your career in the commercial world. It’s not just the ease of booked/paid for seats getting to work, if we do our part and at the airport ready to board the ticketed flight, no matter what happens we are not held accountable period. Flight cancellations, Weather delays, Maintenance delays, Flight Delays, etc. Not My Problem. Scheduling’s problem which takes a load off. No worries, rebook me, send me to a paid hotel, send me home. Challenging prior to the pandemic due to overbooking, others who get ahead of you, etc. vs pandemic now - advice is to book 3 flights minimum ahead as they cancel all the time due to no loads whatsoever. If we were to lose Gateway due to contract negotiations (not very likely due to our ever changing contracts), then I would consider jumping ship and at least get paid to be a scheduler, jump-seat, crash-pad and a responsible grownup to show up and work no matter what circumstances/environment we may live in.

It’s been a long while since UPT, but there was a Capt type who washed out of T-38s who was in “Stars and Stripes” years ago who tried to get to the heavy side. I mean it was front page at the exchange on a rack. Turns out, no joy. I would think it’s definitely not an automatic assumption nor will it ever be based on what the criteria might have been to wash out. Either way, is this something new and if it is has it been going on for any substantial length of time? Never heard of it, but I haven’t heard a lot nor read the new/updated reg.

I will say the company definitely focuses on their business as these planes have never been cleaner since their production. We also have some $ compensation regarding the hot zones if you will. With restaurants and other food venues out of play they were covering $50 on top of per diem during hotel layovers for room service or outside delivery, etc. They took that away and just bumped up our perdiem which is nice and easier for them and us when doing our finance reports, granted it still saved them a little cash if you were in hotels for long periods. Nearly $100 a day isn’t bad, but I had a good time with $129 a day back at Ramstein. Like I said before, we’ll always find something to complain about. Business is good for now and we’ve been pulling planes back out of storage to meet demands vs parking them. Everything is cyclic so we pray everyone gets back out there. It has been very quiet flying around, especially over CPDLC coverage areas. I routinely do radio check-ins just to remain vigilant and the controllers are bored, want to talk anyway and happy to be employed as I am. Overall, it seems we have pulled together somewhat and keeping those “Air Bridge” missions going is our focus as it should be.

Yup, good to get a job rolling during these times and nothing is “immune” as said before but we’re doing well. We’re being flooded right now so it doesn’t bode well for a significant contract upgrade, but I am happy to be employed so no complaints whatsoever (not that I think it’s really bad as I have family across oceans on both sides, continent hopping and food still interests me), 73 side seems to be cutting back but the rest of our iron is steadfast at this point. 777s put into place for our DHL contracts dumping some 74s, but these are being contracted out to others so the demand is still high. Your buddy will get better experience than most and be that much more marketable when hiring comes around. I don’t have a yacht, Maserati, and 2nd, 3rd mortgage, (We have our fair share of pilots with 2nd/3rd X wives), but it definitely pays the bills and the flying in the commercial sector least boring of all long haul. Heck he may like it as much as I do and if not he’ll be set up for that shiny penny operation with hats and expensive cigars! I myself enjoy the 74, no bunks but 2 rooms dozing for a $ (unless converted Freighter/Pax Bird then bunks), mostly very nice hotels, catered food some good, some not so good but meals nevertheless, some phenomenal locations and others just OK, coming onto the flight deck taking your tie off and throwing on your pajamas with a baseball hat before departure - priceless. Cheap Cigars in Miami where we train so that’s something. All the Union/Management throw down mentioned before is right on the money and we have our issues as well. We definitely need pay parity, but I truly believe our pilots are very upset because it would be hands down the place to work if pay, retirement, overall contract compensation were even just near Big 3 or the 2 dominant cargo outfits. Even 10% below would sway many as long as we kept our no jumpseat gateway open. Pilots will always find some issue. 17 Days is the kicker though let’s not fool anybody it is a long stretch. I am senior enough to snag 14-16 day trips and have more than 2 months off a year, but 10-14 days trips once a month would be more my style. Our schedules change often, no cookie cutter flying, nothing you can count on, but as long as I leave and come back on schedule it’s nothing but an adventure to me. I still really enjoy going to work 95% of the time so I am lucky no doubt. *For those retiring now I have laid down a basic representation of what we’re about and we are hiring if you haven’t had a bite as of late. With your retirement it makes it very easy; therefore, I speak from a different survival perspective. Jump ship when your “dreamboat” floats by and get the most worldwide experience in the mean time. No one goes everywhere we go and I can substantiate that. It’s very USAFish but with some really good support in many cases and you’re already acclimated to change.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I know pic takes up space, but it’s glorious Bacon. Arg has it right. Self sustaining, if not close to it. Preparing Prime Rib right now, store bought but still a nice cut. Everyone else bought the Chicken out and ignored the Prime Rib at $6 a lb. Guess I’ll eat the Prime(s) x 4 for two weeks, too lazy to thaw my chicken. Thx Arg, that’s living - some will say it’s bad for us but we all pass and there’s nothing like being a carnivore. Sorry, derailed there - But it’s Bacon!

Good thing my wife doesn’t eat pork and there is none in the house, but before you judge, bacon does not count. Mmmm Bacon!

Hacker on point. Especially using part of his statement gave me the chills a bit but very very true. Nothing is “immune” in aviation. Plenty of cargo now, but so many factors out there so we’ll keep at it.. Always cyclic like many things.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwiY1NTpwN_oAhUXbc0KHV7mCv8QFjAAegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indexmundi.com%2Fclocks%2Findicator%2Fdeaths%2Funited-states&usg=AOvVaw3wfxcxE4l2A0nR-PC-SnAr Good “food for thought” specifically on how we perish posted earlier (Very Good Work which takes effort). Some things we have no control over as were mentioned, a lot of the others have been due to long life personal choices. Here is another snapshot of a time lapse within these United States as we pass away; just another perspective from the 60,000 ft level. If link doesn’t work, Google “United States Death Clock.” Supposedly we lose someone every 11.14 seconds or thereabouts. Just like “Danger41” said - “Food for thought”

On a separate note. I am weird perhaps, but it’s kind of nice not having to shake hands without a glare. I understand our human requirements for contact/social greetings, but as many airport bathrooms I have been in (many countries), it’s disturbing how many do not wash hands so definitely a point there. Jeeesh.

People is kind of generic don’t you think. Maybe the people you associate with or live with or watch don’t do it hence “people”. We’ll just call them the ignorant to further specify. Not great, but better. If anyone is like this, totally agree, don’t wear gloves, don’t do anything, why bother, just stay away from me. Your right, definitely much more authoritarian in the Asian sector and I do not wish to be under such gubment power. But, it’s also a matter of discipline, washing hands, staying apart, Hong Kong folks shopping heavily ”trying” to keep distance (just not bumping into me which was normal) almost all with masks, some have gloves, most do not I grant you - but they’ve been out for weeks now with no doors welded keeping them in. It was very lite traffic doing essentials early on during the epidemic and some even had trackable wrist bands, plastic style/paper not handcuffs. Deliveries between all buildings every night for morning delivery. Nearly 7.5 million would have starved as they are much more thin than us, all kidding aside there was quite a bit of common sense support. Not advocating, just informing, just saying. I’ll see if I can dig up some of my HKG mall photos as of recent. Easy peasy for them and when over, they’ll resume normal ops. Culture, discipline, government definitely deeper. Just watching it in real time and not via the internet/news. Good stuff and bad stuff going on as usual, we are doing better. Economy, that’s to be seen and I do believe their are many other ways to have dealt with this specifically regarding our countries culture/economy 20/20 hindsight of course. Just be safe out there!

Well maybe your right. Using Taiwan, Singapore, Korea and Hong Kong as examples, they did extremely well comparatively to us and others. Hong Kong 7.5 million Population, under 1,000 cases, 4 deaths. Definitely having been thru SARS helped, borders are different, but I would give it to the local discipline/culture. We enjoy incredible freedoms beyond most which I cherish and I wouldn’t swap with China and have my doors welded shut that is for sure. This is an unfortunate learning experience. Definitely nothing compared to what the Greatest Generation endured, but baby steps hopefully not needed, ever. Just an opinion.

Just speaking for myself and others I work with (yes, we’re still flying) we do pretty well wiping the flight deck down even after the cleaning crew has done their job. It guarantees nothing, just more prudent. (And no we don’t wear masks once we’re ready to go.) It’s not motorcycling, skateboarding, etc. It makes me more self aware and I don’t get closer, try to mingle or shake hands with anybody because of it. I guess it’s about self discipline and acclimating to a mask. Once my mask is on, it’s on and no fixing - others may fiddle with it uncomfortably I guess. My gloves are on during outings, thrown into the wash or latex thrown away once I get back home. Wash my hands/face and resume normal home activities. But I guess I must declare I cheat the “normal” tendencies since I wear a CPAP. Don’t fiddle with it at night and the N95 mask doesn’t bother during minor outings during the day which we should be adhering too. Bottom line, I am not subjecting my family to negligence on my part as best I can. It may prove futile, but there’s no harm in effort. Look at Biden, coughing then touching his face immediately afterwards with the same hand. But that’s something else besides lack of discipline.

Key point when you choose to retire on terminal leave. I picked Aug as you gain leave while on leave so stay away from last of Sep. Also my PT test was due in Sept that’s one less, Maximize terminal as best as you can so you start your next job if you desire and double dip isn’t a bad idea. Never sell it back on retirement year since you lose quite a bit. Good luck to all.

A plus for some Asians: Although they have toned quite a bit. HKG Protestors see the benefit now as the public has been forced to join their ranks of mask cohesion.

That’s good stuff right there. Man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Thins the gene pool out correctly as well.

I rarely go out, but when I do for finite resources I wear a mask and gloves. Being respectful of others and no one exactly knows the actual effectiveness good/bad percentages wise, but having the resources especially if you (I am that guy) tour the world on a frequent basis (every month) it is my duty to remain aware and apart from others in order not to jeopardize them or their families. My area is relatively naive and a third at best now wear protective gear, but they stay clear of those with masks thinking we might have this virus and rightfully so. Mask makes me personally aware of my face so I dare not touch it. I do not believe I have it since I was checked in Mar positive for the flu type B (now I wonder if you can have both as the testing stopped there, who knows). Either way, it’s a mild nuisance, we have all had chem gear training of some sort; therefore, you can add common sense measures when you arrive home discarding gloves, mask, clothes in the wash, getting sprayed in the face by my wife before I escaped to the shower after a world trip. Overkill perhaps, but it’s not hurting anyone and prudent in regards to things I care about. Company gives me kits so I use them, no big deal for me.

Oooh, I firmly believe your opinion is fact. Applicants are lining up at our door; therefore, more qualified candidates are at your door around the block no doubt about it. We haven’t been able to be selective due to contract issues for years, but now we are starting that trend ever so slightly. This reverses any leverage we might have thought we had (pilot shortage, etc.) as we fumble through almost a 4 year delayed contract this upcoming Sept. Not good for us, but the checks haven’t bounce as of yet (probably because they are feather weight comparatively).

Sorry, that’s too funny... Fell off the couch...

Unfortunately I believe this as well ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Landscape will change, we’ll see where the cards fall... Very Good Points!

If you despised it prior to departure, you are probably correct. Very situation dependent and priorities change. Everyone is different and on a different course, but if you have a line number and it’s OK by the company (couldn’t see why not right now), it might help others if you were senior enough/helps stabilize your finances (known quantity)/Seniority rises/accrue greater percentage of mil retirement 2.5% per year which adds up and the icing on any cake is if you enjoy it. No one else can answer that question but you. I earn a good living, contract definitely far behind others but coupled with Mil retirement and other benefits it works extremely well 4 me! BLUF - I have a Great Time going to work compared to others which I’m sure creates longevity in my case. Not in all cases as I see pilots from many carriers who are amazingly still chugging along, crusty, worn out and simply miserable from an unfortunate checkered past not of their own doing. They dwell among others who are luckier than them and they let the past burn them up, etc. Or others who are impatient to “get theirs” on an immediate basis and seem to have always been screwed or held down some way. Nature of this industry, timing is everything and we tend to give too much credit to ourselves. It’s a volatile world and has many opportunities view dependent. Point is -If the opportunity is available and you enjoy it/fits your needs = do it. Otherwise find another way! You only have ONE Life! *If Possible - Try to get something in writing that indicates your employer releases you from obligation for a designated amount of duration (that meets your needs) due to current events. AKA, COVID-19 Good Luck out there as we hopefully extinguish this fire sale event.

Comm or cyber, they all are responsible for not fixing this from the beginning. Now it’s tougher as I am older with these “cheaters” (reading glasses) on. Not all keyboards, but no one put a work order change to the manufacturer. Daaaang it.