UAL T38 Phlyer

But maybe this means a fighter guy in a UPT-fighter slot could get an extension on his recall.....one less fighter guy to pull from the CAF; one less TX course required.

At least, that's the angle I'm going to work with MPC.

I was there for the original bonus. (1989). There was no lump-sum option, and I believe it was 7 years (no other options). The Leather Jacket is what convinced me to stay in.

Hilltopper89

True,although I see them min manning fighter guys in primary and perhaps even in 38s.

Grumble

Shack.


(Words)

hawgdriver

I can fly for the airlines making what I do now (in 4-5 years) while flying the same jet I do now in the Air National Guard while making $30,000 extra/yr doing so. I never have to move again and I'm in control of my life. The Air Force is in trouble and they know it. $225,000 wont keep anyone in with 1/2 a brain with the "bonus"

JamesNoBrakes

I guess commuting doesn't count, nor does having your base shut down, nor does getting furloughed or being forced to take a paycut...

Not that I'd stay in the military necessarily, but I'm not sure if you've noticed the airline industry over the last 15 years or so...

ForeverFO

Has it really gotten this bad?

I was active in the Reagan era, a good time to be a mil pilot. But towards the end of my active duty, the USSR had fallen, and the "peace dividend" caused a massive loss of flying.

Since flying was what we wanted to do, not SOS in residence, a masters degree, etc etc, guys were resigning. That was when they began to play with bonuses.

Every guy who resigned was required to meet with the wing king and explain his actions. Every one of us had a common complaint - "Assignments out of this s-hole (Holloman) are even worse s-holes; I don't need a masters degree, I want to keep flying." Money was mostly secondary. It's obvious nothing has changed.

At the time I left, retention was hovering around 25%. Everyone had their secret FAPA magazines tucked away in their desks.

hawgdriver

I've been watching it very closely for the last 15 years. I know exactly what has happened and I'm happy to leave AD for the uncertainty of the airlines. In the last 5-7 years I've also seen many friends and family (who are not in the airline business) lose their jobs. It's the reality of our economy right now. My brother has to move across the country just to keep a job a an engineer. This is not just an airline issue

Guys in AD have been kicked around way too much in the last 10 years and we are getting out in droves. This new "bonus" is just a AF knee jerk reaction but $25K/yr isnt enough $.

Guys are returning from combat to literally park their jets for 6 months and do nothing other than queep and sims. The writing is on the wall and guys are not biting the bait. We all still love our country, mission and the military. But, when you don't know how to manage people, they will leave.

Flyer5

I agree. If I were still on AD, I would have been eligible for the new $25K/9yr bonus with 50% up front...but it would not have been near enough to keep me on AD. Nevermind the fact that this year's bonus was about 6 months late, forcing many pilots to make a decision to stay or go before the offer was even on the table.

webecheck

flyer5,
how are you out already, but would have been eligible? you just very recently separated? there was a time period if you passed up the bonus in your first year of eligibility, you couldnt apply next year unless that was a specific option. idk the details of this one.

snolat

I'm surprised that the Air Force can even survive with all of us morons being the only ones staying in. Especially when every airline is highering any military pilot and paying a zillion dollars a year. Can someone please tell me again, where did I park the aircraft?