Pilot Shortage Deepens, USAF is SCREWED.

[SocialD]

6 hours ago, RTB said:

Curious...did you build it or buy it already built?

Same...I'm receiving the first part of my plane kit tomorrow.  Not an RV though.

[yatalpan]

1 hour ago, SocialD said:

Same...I'm receiving the first part of my plane kit tomorrow.  Not an RV though.

What are you building?

[Springer]

11 hours ago, RTB said:

Curious...did you build it or buy it already built?

Purchased

[raimius]

6 hours ago, BroncoEN said:

Jealous... I find zero job satisfaction on my third exec gig; nor do I wake up excited to go to work. I love the chances (which are minimal) when I get to fly, and I signed up for the QoL, as did my wife. But you’d be hard pressed to convince me that 12 hour workdays editing endless awards is “serving my country.” Pretty sure my wife would understand my absence better if my long days had a direct impact on national security. To each their own I suppose. 

Sounds like a good time to look for the door.  
When people ask if I'm going to stay in, I usually answer, "If I get to the end of my commitment, and still like my job."  If that answer to that question is a "no," it's time to look elsewhere.

[Springer]

7 hours ago, Stitch said:

RV-8's are bad-ass...

Yep but keep it light and simple.  Having flown my entire life with either a back seater, student, someone in the right or left seat, wingman etc,  it's great to fly solo and reflect.  Huggy with his U-2 experience can probably relate.  

[Lord Ratner]

Yep but keep it light and simple.  Having flown my entire life with either a back seater, student, someone in the right or left seat, wingman etc,  it's great to fly solo and reflect.  Huggy with his U-2 experience can probably relate.  

How much to purchase, if I may ask?

[rv10]

1 hour ago, Lord Ratner said:

8 hours ago, Springer said:

Yep but keep it light and simple.  Having flown my entire life with either a back seater, student, someone in the right or left seat, wingman etc,  it's great to fly solo and reflect.  Huggy with his U-2 experience can probably relate.  

How much to purchase, if I may ask?

It really depends on the build quality and what's on the panel.   I've seen RV-8s go anywhere from $80k - $135k.  They are really holding their resale value well.

[SocialD]

13 hours ago, yatalpan said:

What are you building?

PM sent.  Moving this to GA thread.

[T Pain]

Huggy, I've enjoyed reading your posts for the last 10+ years and I can't say I know exactly what your career has entailed, but I'm pretty sure it is a bit different than most dudes who have joined in the last 15 years. It only makes sense that your outlook from the U-2 and the T-38 is different. "service to the country" and sacrifice is in the eye of the beholder, and some continue to value that more than other things, and thus choose to stay. Unfortunately, what joe1234 said is what the air force and the airlines have provided us, a decision that is becoming easier and easier to make with our feet.

[HuggyU2]

T-Pain, 

I'm not arguing with you one bit.  Please understand I'm not pontificating and stating you must have the job satisfaction I did.  My career was exceptional... and unique.. and I spent a lot of mental time planning through various things to make it go my way.  No doubt I was fortunate in things I couldn't control.  Even my U-2 cohorts will tell you I had a charmed career.  

Had things gone for me like they went for some other people on here, I'm sure I would have separated or retired before my 28 years.  I remember sitting in front of the Alconbury MPF (CBPO for you old guys) when my UPT commitment ended and the bonus was offered.  "Get out or stay in?"  I sat in my car with the engine running for about 30 minutes questioning the decision.  In the end, I went in and signed up for 6 more years (or whatever it was).  Glad I did.  

Here's the bottom line.  My overly-long post yesterday was simply aimed at Joe's statement:  

"it's pretty f*cked up to turn down a massive improvement in income and quality of life to drag your family from base to base, suffering through deployments and taking a massive paycut just because you want to wear a bag and go fast."

That rubs me the wrong way.  Big time.  I've heard this sentiment from others, and I've heard it often:  that my selfishness and unwillingness to leave the military has caused my family pain and suffering, and a reduction in their quality of life.  I'd be a rich airline Captain, had I separated at the 6 year point, right?  And my lack of seeing the big picture financially has prevented my family from being wealthier.  And my time away from home negatively affected my kids... as opposed to the 18 months I was Executive Director and when I was home, I was in my office working from 1900-2300 most nights, and unable to do stuff on the weekends.  There's more to QOL than meets the eye.  

I really don't think that's what Joe's message really was intended to be... but that's what I hear when I read people that post "you're crazy and doing a disservice to your family if you stay in 1 day past your commitment".

I've had U-2 guys seek my advice, and in some cases I've told them they should leave the AF at the end of their current commitment.  If I was in their shoes, I'd certainly do it.  And had I gotten the fighter I wanted out of UPT, I doubt I would have lasted beyond my 6 year commitment.  It turns out the U-2 Program was the perfect fit for me.  I only left because they threw me out.  

I do not begrudge anyone that leaves when they are done.  They gave 6, 8, 10 years of their life to the country, and deserve every ounce of my respect.  

But don't tell me I'm fucked up because I decided to stay for 28.  

 

Edited April 18, 2018 by HuggyU2

[ClearedHot]

On 4/17/2018 at 11:25 PM, HuggyU2 said:

That rubs me the wrong way.  Big time.  I've heard this sentiment from others, and I've heard it often:  that my selfishness and unwillingness to leave the military has caused my family pain and suffering, and a reduction in their quality of life.  I'd be a rich airline Captain, had I separated at the 6 year point, right?  And my lack of seeing the big picture financially has prevented my family from being wealthier.  And my time away from home negatively affected my kids... as opposed to the 18 months I was Executive Director and when I was home, I was in my office working from 1900-2300 most nights, and unable to do stuff on the weekends.  There's more to QOL than meets the eye. 

My dad was a pilot but my Mom thought we would butt heads if he taught me to fly so she arranged for a close family friend who was a senior Pilot at Delta to be my first instructor.  The guy was a legend who did many incredible things in his life and wrote books about his adventures )sailed a six foot boat across the Atlantic by himself.)  I really looked up to him until the day after I soloed.  I was in his hangar on his private flying ranch when he pulled me aside and said "you needed to get that military flying thing out of my system and get a real job."  He went as far as to show me his paystub which was incomprehensible money to a kid in 1986.  I was kind of taken aback, when I looked around the guy had several planes, cars motorcycle and boats, he obviously had  a lot of money but he did not value military service.  Oddly I ran into his years later when my hometown made a big deal about getting some medals in Afghanistan, he was all smiles and handshakes, "you done good kid!"  I never looked at him the same. 

As for Huggy, how about as a dedicated American who served his country he also taught his children about service, sacrifice, and something more than the almighty dollar.  As a senior officer I routinely met with folks who decided to get out.  I never required a meeting if someone dropped their papers, most of the meetings were requested by folks I had mentored and decided to get out or through chance interactions.  My first statement was ALWAYS "thank you for your service, what can I do to help with your next chapter."  As Huggy noted, giving any period of your life to military service buys my everlasting gratitude, you have done more than 99% of the population and I am honored to shake your hand if it was 2 years or 28.

In my humble opinion, Huggy is a fucking hero and though we are not close friends, I dare say his family has done just fine, in spite of his 28 years of service.

[Prozac]

Although I encourage my mil friends to come over to the airline side every chance I get, I will not criticize them for deciding to stay in. I have a few good friends who are truly on the good guys’ side that are in their prime to make the jump to the airlines. And yet, despite the increase in pay and quality of life they have decided to stay. I had lunch with one of these guys a while back and he told me that he felt that he had a responsibility to stick around in order to provide the same mentorship to the young guys that he had experienced years ago. My hat is off to the guys who make that decision despite the continued sacrifice and the state of the USAF today. These men and women have far more patience than I do. Of course I’ve made sure they know that I will walk their resumes and rec letters into HR The moment they decide they’ve had enough.  

[YoungnDumb]

Rumor has it the F-15C B-Course just went belly up due to longeron cracks, any truth to the AF's newest fighter pilot debacle?

[matmacwc]

I’ve heard it

[YoungnDumb]

Rumor I heard was that they could only support 2 or so students per class for a while.  Buddy of mine actually was offered (and accepted) ADAIR vs waiting for the Eagle pipeline to work itself out.

[matmacwc]

6 hours ago, YoungnDumb said:

Rumor I heard was that they could only support 2 or so students per class for a while.  Buddy of mine actually was offered (and accepted) ADAIR vs waiting for the Eagle pipeline to work itself out.

I’ve heard some of the young ADAIR guys getting screwed, never give up the Grey jet

[FourFans]

30 minutes ago, matmacwc said:

I’ve heard some of the young ADAIR guys getting screwed...

It's a lie.  Being a fighter pilot won't get you that no more.

[MIDN]

10 hours ago, matmacwc said:

I’ve heard some of the young ADAIR guys getting screwed, never give up the Grey jet

How did they get screwed?  And what follow on tours are generally available to young ADAIR pilots?

[HossHarris]

Unless something changed recently, Adair Lts know their follow on .... usually a raptor. 

They may screw themselves (washout of b course) but I havent Heard of any institutional screwing. 

Longterm career effects similar to faiping id imagine .... but yet to be seen. 

[tk1313]

29 minutes ago, HossHarris said:

Unless something changed recently, Adair Lts know their follow on .... usually a raptor. 

They may screw themselves (washout of b course) but I havent Heard of any institutional screwing. 

Longterm career effects similar to faiping id imagine .... but yet to be seen. 

Plus Danger said it might try to kill your mom

[SurelySerious]

7 hours ago, tk1313 said:

Plus Danger said it might try to kill your mom

I thought we clarified that it would be wepons free on @BQZip01‘s mom. 

Edited April 25, 2018 by SurelySerious
#hashtag

[moabust]

7 hours ago, HossHarris said:

Unless something changed recently, Adair Lts know their follow on .... usually a raptor. 

They may screw themselves (washout of b course) but I havent Heard of any institutional screwing. 

Longterm career effects similar to faiping id imagine .... but yet to be seen. 

The official guidance on this has changed very recently - like in the last couple weeks. Studs assigned to ADAIR will now complete the F-15E track in IFF (not the F-22 track), and will be "assigned IAW the needs of AFPC". The email traffic made it clear that UPT to ADAIR assignments aren't a guaranteed F-22 follow on.

[17D_guy]

56 minutes ago, moabust said:

and will be "assigned IAW the needs of AFPC".

Ugh.. that made me throw up in my mouth.

[matmacwc]

Boom

Your doubt is noted.

[ViperMan]

8 hours ago, Merle Dixon said:

Hello,

To all of my AF Reserve TR brothers and sisters...

My squadron has a policy, once you are in your 20th year and you have 50 points, you do not have to work your last 6 to 8 months before retirement. You do have to show up for the mandatory UTAs once a quarter or once per half (we now have MUTAs only twice per year). Well, we had a douche nozzle CC a few years ago that tried to rescind that policy. He wanted guys to fully participate until their retirement date. So, two of my bros called AFRPC and spoke with a SMSgt. The SMSgt informed them that legally, once a member is in her/his 20th year and has accumulated 50 points, he/she no longer has to participate. Your squadron/unit is unable to force you to participate any further. The SMSgt said the only recourse the squadron has, if you refuse to participate, is that they can submit paperwork to place you into the IRR. Well, by the time the squadron gins up the IRR paperwork and submits it to the group, which submits it to the numbered AF, which submits it to AFRPC, which runs it through the wickets, 8 months or more just went by. So, the SMSgt said basically there is absolutely nothing your squadron can do to compel you to work your last 6 to 8 months (6 to 9 if you like :) ).

My bros had a meeting with the douche Sq/CC and told him this. They told douche that they retire in 7 months, they already picked up a copy of their FEFs, a copy of their flight records and a copy of their med records, been nice knowing ya, adios! He huffed and puffed and got his g-string panties in a wad. The douche made a bunch of phone calls and guess what, the SMSgt was correct. There was absolutely nothing douche could do about it. Here is a surprise, the no work your last 6 to 8 months policy returned.

So, any of you stuck in the BS AFRC stop-loss/no retirement/AFRC has zero integrity/mess, and you have 20 or more years of service and you have at least 50 points for your current year, tell your unit to pound sand. You are free. Braveheart William Wallace style, yell it dawg, FREEDOM!!

Merle

That's aggressive advice for a first time poster...source documentation?