AirGuardianC141747

Keep at it Sir Duck, it’s well worth a little or even quite a bit of pain. Immediate $ and benefits works wonders on any outside pressure cooker worries. Economy, virus, terrorizers(Bush), etc. Morale will improve and the beatings will discontinue.

Ahhhhh, that’s correct. I recall that measure and written policy now. Your fellow fast burners & bean counters wrote into fine print something to the effect: Title 32 until performing the real-world event which requires Title 10 auto-convert as it becomes a Federal mission and falls under Title 10 Federal Authority in order to execute. Yup, that’s a screw job... Just goes to show you, when the Government offers you a “deal”, it’s most likely NOT in your favor. *Advised a friend (Major who worked for me) of mine out of signing for $30K immediately and accepting the 40% vs 50% retirement pay at 20 yrs. (He was at 15 yrs AD service) He argued he could do better with $30k at 7% return in the stock market. I let him know it would be $22K after taxes, may do 7% - may not. And, he would only need to be retired as a Major for not even 5 years to break even and it’s pure gravy 10% win after that. If he knew he had a terminal disease shorter than that, just enjoy the cash which is understandable. Funny thing: He made O-6 last year, just think about that 10% now. Bravo for one of our own. Nothing more dangerous than a man with options!

Those (USERRA Exempt Orders) were cut 15 May 2015 almost 5 years ago, unless they were reinstated? Airlines got quite a bit smarter. Very Rare! Good for you, job/end game done extremely well.

Totally getting screwed without ANY doubt!!! Did something change or did your Commander(s) make a “deal” they shouldn’t have. I retired from the 601 AOC Homeland Defense / home of the ONE mission which scrambles ya’ll(assets). Gas Tanks were covered and so were the pointy folks - where is the disconnect? SAF/MR exempted Air Reserve Component (ARC) members who volunteered for active duty under section 12301(d) of Title 10, Unites States Code, in direct or indirect support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE.... And several others such as OEF, OIF, etc. were/are covered as well. *Back in May 2015 - SAF/MR recut all Statutory Tours (Staff) orders, taking away the “exempted” portion. We lost a lot of airline folks (they were 5 years maxed out) who didn’t have previous ETP’s in place to keep them on station and not have Delta or any others come a knock’n. (That was ignited by an Airline push(meetings) in 2013-15.) ETP - Exception To Policy

Aside from the CBT’s and deployments, it was a minimum attempt at being in the Old ANG. Homestar nailed it, airline is pure fly-only. All they do is try ensure you are ready to fly, and validate your company credit card of course.

Townhall meeting with the Trumpster went well to say the least. Didn’t expect anything less. It’s not that it was Fox News, it was nice to hear coherent thought verbally executed concisely and with confidence whether right or wrong according to your view. On the other side: It’s NOT going to go well if you can’t remember who your wife is, or have your wife say “Your OK Joe!” when your stage gets jumped by a Dairy Heckler, declare $150 million people are killed by guns every year in the U.S., can’t remember the Declaration of Independence end statement but replaces it with ‘You know, the thing’ OR even know what state your campaigning in. The list goes on and on. Personally I’m just trying to ignore declaring Beto as your gun clean up guy; although, the “Beto” clearance sales at the gun shows have been awesome. My wife mentioned: “Parents wouldn’t trust him to be a crossing guard guiding/protecting their children everyday and this supposedly has the potential to be The President of these United States.” If/when these two end up in the debates, it’s going to be a slaughter. Probably won’t be perceived as it went bad as much as it was just sad. I believe the opposition is hoping for a Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas upset/outcome that happened inTokyo back in 1990. Granted, it did take 10 rounds and there won’t be but 3 Presidential Debates. *The Impeachment attempt has always made sense for the other side and has become even more apparent everyday.

“You're going to have to do something more to entice me to come back out of retirement... again.” - HuggyU2 Now that was funny, good stuff right there. AND Gen Ronald Fogleman was the Best. We roof stomped him late at night (best we could at his VOQ) at Maxwell during “The Gathering of Eagles.” We let him know we were upset he retired, but he kept his word so there’s that. He had a shot of Jeremiah Weed with each and every one of us in his boxers and handed us his business card. Told us he was in a shit business. Porta Potty rental business in Durango, CO. Don’t make them like him anymore. Tex Hill and other warriors there put us under the table, they were unstoppable. Good Times!

Well said Jeremiahweed on the ups and downs of this industry Cargo or Pax. I see now Hackers info on Purple ramps is correct. Especially after watching the discussions on the APC FedEx Forum “Blessing in disguise”. (The 2020 2% growth projections were pre-Corona of course as stated) In the “Blessing in disguise” topic on APC. FDX folks indicating some are burning sick leave and vaca to zero trying to mitigate exposure. Pay protection to avoid hot zone discussions, possible risks involved, re-entry into your country of residence, potential for quarantine into Chinese hospitals, movement of cargo, all great concerns and realities - especially those residing/based in that area. Sounds like some are whoring it up flying/$$$ wise while others are avoiding the “plague” as best they can. All about tolerance levels/pay protections is what the back and forth seems to be about and what exactly do HKG based folks have going for them, or not. Some very interesting points. *They mentioned on the FDX hiring side as a crew room rumor - 8 in Mar, 8 in Apr for a total of 16 supposedly headed for HKG basing. That says a lot if true. Any sick or vaca available as a new hire?

Just a bunch of analysts indicating a change for the better (some growth) forecast for 2020. Modest 2% volume increase (initially 2.7%); however, revenue gains may be slightly less than forecasted back in June 2019 dependent upon pricing, tariffs, fuel, and everything else well beyond my scope. Mid 2020 will be a good indicator perhaps. Staying in the Black will be good. Cargo backs up due to many ripples in the flow. Like you, seen plenty awaiting delivery at various stations. I don’t hang out at pure sort facilities so you have that picture. If Purple was really under any pressure they would resume additional contracts like they do every year during peak. UPS does the same. They’re doing fine, unless you have have seen any outsourcing. Just a question.

Landed there in the past couple of months. Will be interesting when reverse flow happens.

Cargo side declared minimal growth if any since 1 Jan/1st Qtr start even before things went viral. (more realistic meaning now)

Rambling perhaps or rather Rumbling, at least you were paying attention Waingro which I appreciate. What a deep state of affairs we are in.

4 more years, seems probable. Spitballing - Dare I say the word “Reset.” Never has a President experienced an onslaught of detractors/distractions whatever you want to call it. Whether you agree upon any of the declared accomplishments of The Donald, he has executed more decisions and been far more effective regarding his pre-elected declarations/promises of what he will get done than any other President of recent memory (Definitely during the past 8 elections in which I could vote). All with cannons to the left and right of him. So many Conspiracy Theories using: Russian Collusion, Seth Rich, James Comey, Brett Kavanaugh, sex scandals/allegations, Envelopes at the Bush Funeral, Jeffrey Epstein, Anthony Weiner, Julian Assange, Roger Stone, Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff & friends, Ukraine issues involving both Don & Joe, growing list of judges, Russian involvement coming out of remission now and the list goes on and on. True or not, what if it all of it were to be determined/proven as an unfair suppression or attempted political execution of a sitting President. Maybe the meme showing Trump in office indefinitely (years scrolling up and up) wasn’t just a jab. Is Ivanka being groomed, etc. New Rumor: Reset and delay Presidential elections until 2022?, 24? Maybe not a new rumor, but it was an interesting topic/submission if the stars were aligned for them. *Its just intriguing/mind numbing to see an entire list of accusations being used to drive the other kid out of their playpen/sandbox.

Concur which means nothing regarding me, so I will keep my 2 cents. Well supported Torqued, good info. Better in hand than on paper. 401K, IRA, Matching, %, Cash on hand, Savings, tangible assets (land, manageable RV, Cognac, pre1965 silver, bullets, etc.), wouldn’t count on social security being around. Diversification means so much more. Somehow hedge your bets. Interesting times.

Regional is one thing, try to hold out for the Big3 or 5, then go on the hunt as the normal transition for final career thoughts if you dare. They have made leaps and bounds tracking Mil Leave individuals and holding them to the 5 year line. AGRs are way more plentiful as the hiring continues and it’s always good to have a part-time mil gig while at the lower percentage of the pilot group, or just to have something to run back too and break up the monotony if you have a cookie cutter multiple leg carrier gig. Good for mil leave and quality of life but beware employers may have a matrix to monitor trends if you will. Delta will find you (friends have been called), Frontier not so much, (a friend got the “we’ll see you when we see you!) I would record that call for sure...

Seems like an extended period, but then again besides the test period, validation period, etc, it’s the sheer number to produce and distribute on a world wide scope that may be in play. Granted, it’s normally months to several years for vaccines to be fully vetted as they continuously mature into various stages of potency/ effect. Vaccines cost hundreds of millions of dollars to develop and hopefully this iteration of the Corona Virus (#5 of the previous 4) won’t take that long with a baseline of 4 current Types of the Corona on file that have supposedly been dealt with.

CDC and DOH finally getting in with boots on the ground. Good takeaway regarding regimes and how they conduct business. Keeping everyone out, controlling information, lockdowns in effect in various ways good and bad. Either way this virus will run its course and burn out eventually, or a vaccine will be effective and implemented or we just add another annual flu type vaccine to the list of options to mitigate the effects. IF food driven, governments should provide some assistance in “wet market” cleanliness. It’s not the first time, definitely not the last. This is a positive note to keep me in a good mindset versus the underlying theme of history. Mother nature is a serial killer...

Worst timing ever: Top Gun 1986, Graduated High School 1987, everyone chasing the pointy nose lifestyle, Gulf War 1 actually starts/ends 1991 and we graduate within a year to the drawdown. ROTC Pilot slots dwindle from 1200 to 100 nationwide. Pilots Banked, my awarded slot from basic is yanked. Became Aircraft Maintenance Officer and gave it my all for F-16s, A-10s, C-130s and Staff for Heavies for nearly 7 years. (Some of the most challenging but very rewarding/fun times of my life.) Given another shot, age waiver Pilot slot from the ANG, boom C-141s, then C-17s. Flew minor squirmishes, then OEF, OIF, OND, etc. for 12 years straight, mostly AE which were the most rewarding ever. Final years back at Staff, then Homeland Defense. Now fully retired and proud to have given it my best foot forward while keeping my amazing wife intact (still married over 22 years). Future is still wide open, now flying 747s around the world twice a month. Remain resilient, care not what others think it’s your life they have/had theirs, and never ever give up. You never make the shot you never take. People of today need to understand that not all things are immediate satisfaction guaranteed and it’s just that much sweeter when it does work out. Everyone’s path is different, you have one life! Not the selfie life, etc. Do your Best! Always.

As a former MAFFS program manager (C141/C17 IP) with my civilian counterpart (Awesome civi with more than a decade of experience) and one subject matter expert (MAFFS IP) 2013-2015 at the ANGRC, C17 wise, probably not a smart move using a higher cost Strategic asset while large aircraft civilian forces exist. They must all be exhausted before Defense Support of Civilian Authorities (DSCA) is in effect. Also, the C17 probably should NOT have corrosive retardant added to its list precautionary maintenance. It’s basically built around it’s initially solid billet aluminum floor and Bugatti brakes system. With Global Warming Greta, anything is possible - I shudder to think. Regarding metal movement or procurement and placement within the Guard Reserve Component. First it’s very politically motivated, just look at where iron sits. Mission Statements and Unit effectiveness plays a significant part as well. MAFFS is part of the gonculator (sp?) in which the Staff plugs and plays the iron layout spreadsheet. Call your Senators/Congressmen. Politically strong states have made their case in very compelling ways behind the curtain/non-disclosure signed. Art of the Deal dictates avenues vs “the most deserving” sometimes which is unfortunate to say the least.

Worse...

Well... Besides the common sense increase in hygiene recommendations (Wash hands, wear your masks, use your sanitizers, avoid physical contact, etc), there have been some other adjustments. Minimize Aircraft/Crews in higher threat areas which correlates to minimizing overnights if at all. Basically pass thrus, but my thought is then where do I go? Not like the other surrounding areas aren’t feeling the pain. Granted, Korea seems just OK, Japan is highly preferred for myself having lived there before and I speak the language and have already had their healthcare system clean me up before. We started “Heavy Cleans” as aircraft transition these areas, but I am unsure of its effectiveness or what this virus 🦠 likes or dislikes is impacted by this. You know as I do from our military service, some things work and some things are there to make you feel better about it even though you know your toast. There was a mention of Union assistance to address specific concerns and Company/scheduling mitigation to work out details if we request not to enter certain areas. I haven’t tested this as of yet, but it’s a nice thought if it truly works. Haven’t seen any monetary compensation as of yet, maybe some Delta Dollars or Hilton Honor points may do the trick 😅 Personally, I have a more capable mask system that I acquired during my last trip to Korea and some old school charcoal coveralls before I retired, but that’s not the point - I pickup better pay rates in the sand centric areas and would rather stay on that side of our flying eating schnitzel and brats. I may have to ask scheduling to be kind and use my “good will pill” they hopefully owe me. Would be nice to have some mil leave right about now, I envy ya’ll.

Always Politely Correct (APC 🤔) has quite a bit on Frontier as Huggy and Karl mentioned - APC folks mentioned that a “recent (currently open)vacancy shows 48 new positions. This upcoming Monday will be the litmus test on how many warm bodies show up... AA, UA, DL, etc. pretty well known compared to F9 (lite twin pros), but confusing to say the least so there’s that. Definitely provides insight as SQ, EK, KE, QF, LH, NH and always OZ plus many more cause myself to have a meltdown when scheduling pushes a Deadhead (DH) somewhere delightful, sand centric or virus prone 😝

True, and I definitely agree that FedEx can go out and procure the business that it needs away from Amazon. Hopefully they work a deal / combination move with a large Amazon competitor such as Walmart or even an overseas Vertical competitor. Being horizontal only (shipping specific/nothing created/manufactured/distributed, or sold) may impact growth substantially during these e-commerce times/“we need our stuff now!” Tying in early with Vertical Giants might be the only way out for significant profitable longevity as these Giants pursue horizontal motion. Seems inevitable, we’ve all seen the remote vehicles both ground +air, let alone air cargo outfits growing and ground vans breeding like fleas. One World, Star Alliance, Nike does it; it maybe time to team up. The most profitable design is to be the ONLY source / highest demand low density asset available OR do it all, hence be Vertical and Horizontal controlling all aspects of your operation. $1, $100, $1,000, etc. lower margins are still considered profit, but stockholders/investors, corporate bonuses/parachutes and world domination/ego seems to rule the day. *All just sideline viewpoints on my part, I’m just an Air Road Trucker and nothing more. Not too much growth projected this year comparably speaking and the virus isn’t helping regardless of being Cargo or Pax for that matter. Fred said he has a plan and I doubt it’s a bad one. First contact determines a lot. Things will get even more interesting.

Regarding the 737 Max, not a bad idea for Fred Smith to capitalize on a conversion freighter but they have bigger fish (Amazon) to fry or deal with. Since Amazon’s ground movement inception (all those Amazon Vans/Semi Fleet) late 2016/17. FedEx has lost $25B in revenue potential and Amazon gained $250B in profit specifically from its shipping growth/capabilities. As Amazon continues to grow its network (e-commerce and bleeding into healthcare now) as a “vertical” company and NOW a horizontal giant - FedEx, UPS, etc are finding it tougher to make headway as “horizontal” (shipping agencies/they produce and sell nothing) ONLY giants. Posted “on time delivery stats” in the latest 4th Qtr (2019) put Amazon at the top, then UPS, followed by FedEx. While they are all in the 90% plus range, this is a first. We can’t get or keep pilots within our group based on contract issues, etc. Southern shed some 737-400s to Mesa and another while focusing on getting the 737-800s in support of the DHL contract. Our Prime support within Atlas has shed some 76 iron as well, while we have picked up a trickle more in the 74 arena. Maybe this will motivate our negotiations, lose more grasp, be bought and spilt, no one really knows but we are feeling the effects of e-commerce. Amazon has been the 800lb gorilla, but once the sort facility in CVG is flowing she is headed well past 1600lbs. Bezos and Fred dislike each other to say the least. Fred can only be a hurdle to the Bezos machine of think tanks gathering data 24/7. Before you judge vocally, unplug Alexa and place her in the dumpster at your kids school along with all the other devices. “Welcome back John Anderton (Tom Cruise)” Retinal scan running thru a mall - Minority Report.

ACSC in-residence for myself was a means to an end. Disliked living on base, enjoyed the guest speakers immensely, papers were mind-numbing, pay every 2 weeks/benefits invaluable during our units aircraft conversion 6-10 months and returning for qual training plus AD points = priceless. If your near the 15 year mark of AD points, not a bad idea to take the opportunity. Once over the 15 year mark points wise, then get hired by your airline of choice hopefully. Chase the remaining AD points for retirement while gaining seniority if able. Yes, it may cost you some seniority and “seniority is everything” does hold true for the most part - I still cannot say enough about the peace of mind and extra boost in monetary value and benefits an actual pension provides. *I understand there are those who lean on the airlines being sticklers for this type of strategy, but the playing field has changed. Do your 1 year probation if able, but there are no longer mil types just loitering around waiting for something to materialize as yesteryear. Normal military retirements will not fix the wave of new hire requirements (It has always been a substantial airline force multiplier, but now it’s a mere trickle) - you are in demand. Your work ethic is in demand period. Airline business is fickle, but should remain on the uptick for awhile due to the extreme amount of retirements. Economy can and will eventually swing as it always does, but the bleeding of folks at the top end will stave off quite a bit of economy impact at this juncture comparably speaking. The TWA/Pan Am’s have come and gone, but the current big 3 would most likely be propped up like our car companies in some sort of fashion, good, bad and ugly if something drastic were to occur. May not alleviate a furlough situation, but the threat value is less likely than in the past. Mergers can and will happen and I will never forget a great friend telling me when he was hired at United in 98’ what the CEO said during indoc in Denver, CO - “Welcome to the last job/career you will ever have!” Boom, 911 which was not truly the only reason some airlines cut pay, drained pensions and/or furloughed. Some were overextended financially and that gave them an excuse to cut some digits and limbs as my friend said. He raced to the Guard unit like many others I met to maintain employment status. When it was all said and done at United, he was #46 from the bottom to be furloughed, but had already committed to his unit. He made a choice not knowing where the cuts would end. He is back as 777 very senior FO enjoying the good life, but still wary of management forever with one eye open. Military spends money, airlines make money - real world thrives on profit and stock holder gains, not OPRs, CBTs and your relentless get the mission done attitude. You are valued, seek out what you personally value and go out and conquer. I wish you the best pick and opportunities available. Don’t get discouraged, there will be folks always looking from the outside wishing they were in - only time will tell whether you were blessed with the correct choices.