GasNGo

Well, I kind of knew this was coming. I have now hooked my PT test twice for the waist measurement. I'm 6'4'' 38 years old and no matter how much I try I can't seem to get my waist in at under 39". I'm now looking at the very real possibility I might get separated from the Air Force over this and I'm wondering how much this could effect my future flying career.

From what I've been told it would almost certainly be honorable, due to the fact that I only have about 2.3 years left on my ADSC and no disciplinary action whatsoever. My question is this, with a clean flying record, no Q3's, and a few thousand hours PIC turbine under my belt, how much do you think getting kicked out for my waist will hurt my chances of getting hired in the civilian world? Do they even care about this? How worried should I be? (Besides the obvious loss of retirement...)

reCALcitrant

Doesn't affect anything in the civilian world. Don't worry about it.

dtfl

Active or Reserve? In the reserves - its up to the CC...I would be the same applies to AD as that is what I remember from the AFI (I was digging into it with the OG recently but cannot remember the AD slant) What has your CC decided? Get into the AFI....sign up for the Healthy Living Site, keep a Caloric Log and turn it into your UFPM every week. This shows signs of dedication...and possibly improvement.

1 year's worth of failures = Referral OPR....it takes a couple years before you get booted-UNLESS your CC wants you out now and 1 failure can start the process.

I wouldn't say the civilian world (Airlines) would NOT be concerned, however. They would see you were discharged and ask why?? Companies...as well as the USAF IMHO are worried about the bottom dollar and health of the worker/airman affects that. IF You get discharged, have a BMI measurement done so you can prove to a civ employer that you are proportionate, etc, within "normal" weight standards. The USAF has their head in the sand with respect to this...and you won't be the only "big guy" who this affects.

GasNGo

I'm Active Duty. The BMI is my only hope at this point. I used to lift weights heavily and am quite "dense" so its proving difficult, lots of loose skin on my arms thanks to losing muscle mass trying to make weight lol. Doing the healthy living thing along with the log's you described.


I was told with the "new focus" its 2 busts=referral OPR, and 4 busts max then they HAVE to start separation paperwork on you or come up with a very good reason not to.

Maybe more info than you wanted to know, hoping they see the light sooner rather than later. But at least knowing that I should still be able to put food on the table if it happens makes me feel a little better.

C-17 Driver

If you're that serious about wanting to stay in, then get some liposuction. If it were me, I would pay $2000-$3000 to save my career. Heck, get a few other folks in on it and you could get a group discount.

Good luck..

Jughead

Sorry to hear about this.

I don't think it would be a show-stopper at an airline, but they're going to want details about your (potential) discharge. Make sure you keep working on being in the best shape possible for your possible future interview - airlines (at least at DL) seem to hang a lot of credibility on the image of their cockpit crews. Don't give them a reason not to hire you if it's between you and someone else.

I hope you can work something out with your CC...there's a lot of time and resources being thrown away if they go through with this. What pinhead came up with this policy? I can appreciate keeping the troops in shape, but a case like yours sounds like one which should be taken on a case-by-case basis.

I feel for ya - I'm almost 6'4" and 210 lbs with a wierd shape - no gut, but wide hips which translates to a 38" pants in the waistline. That's what my DNA dealt me, so all the ab crunchers and torso twists in the world aren't going to change it.

Good luck & thanks for your service.

RogAir

I heard a story recently where a loadmaster went to the local spa and had a waist wrap (some kind of mud thing) and took 3 inches off his waist (temporarily) just before the test. I guess it dehydrates the skin and makes it shrink--sounds cheaper/less painful than lypo

golfandfly

Are you going to be honorably discharged?

If yes, that is all the employer will need to know. I've been through several interviews and I was NEVER asked anything more than that. There will be a question on your application that asks you this question. There is nothing that asks if you were discharged based on Air Force weight standards.

There are questions on your FAA medical that asks if you have been discharged from the military based on medical issues. IE, are you on disability.....

If you are not honorably discharged, you will have problems getting a job. Explanations will be required and hopefully answered to their satisfaction. It will be very difficult getting a good job...

navigatro

In addition to liposuction, you can try hemorrhoid cream, spa wraps, and saunas. It is sad that you have to risk your health to pass the fit test. I think you have 24 hours to pass the fit test, so you can go to the sauna, do the waist measurement, then tell them you feel ill, then rehydrate/rest and complete the fit test the next day.

Elvis90

You're timing isn't bad...a lot of folks are or will be hiring. Delta will be hiring 300-600 next year. Southwest will be hiring soon. Check out FltOps.com: Guiding Pilots to their Professional Goals to see the latest list of who's hiring, get your certificates & paperwork in order and you'll be good to go. Also, simply because active duty separates you does not necessarily mean Guard or Reserves won't take you...Guard & Reserve folks can speak up regarding this.

This is an example of Air Force policy that got it wrong...again. Eliminating a valuable resource that took years to train isn't smart. They're still trying to cut back their personnel levels to get to their 330,000 manpower limit (I think they were 4,000 over that at the beginning of the year).