rforbess

Just thought I'd say a quick hello.

Getting out of the Air Force soon. Any old Herc drivers out there?

Rob

GunnF16

Not a Herc driver, but was wondering what the Herc community was going through since OIF/OEF w/ the 4 months on then 4 months off AEF cycle out of the Deid. I was a SOF there for my one AEF cycle out of Aviano in 2004 for 3 months and learned quickly that a 3 engine approach isn't a huge problem for a 130 (Viper guys tend to treat engine problems a bit more seriously by nature I guess). It would seem to me that the 130 guys are getting beat into the ground with that sort of schedule.

Flounder

Rob
I'm an old Herc driver, waiting to get out soon. 20+ years; hope the grass is green on the other side.
Flounder

rforbess

Flounder: Thanks! I hope it is too! Looks like I have a Jetblue interview in March so thats helping me sleep a little easier Were you ever at Pope or Dyess?

Gunn: I think everyone has adapted pretty well, and the squadrons typically try not to send a guy on back to back deployments (it still happens though). As for the engines...yeah shutting down an engine seems to be a herc right of passage!

Flounder

Rob: Yes, 2 tours at Dyess ('88-'94, '04 - present) but I avoided Pope If your name is accurate on your user ID, I think I remember you. You still owe me $10 bucks! Congrats on Jetblue--good luck. I'm a SWA poolie; treading water and reading the forum!!

Concur on the 3-engine right of passage. If you don't shut one down in your first 100 PIC, you're bringing it weak. As far as the deployments, the herc crews don't know any better. When you get kicked in the head every 4 months, you come to expect it--and when they skip a kick, it's a slice of heaven. They are mostly young and agressive; I'm old and tired

rforbess

10 bucks? Awww hell...can I repay it with a couple of six packs? I was in the 39th from 00'-04' Any idea when your class date is? Got a bud flying for Citation Shares thats in the same boat as you.

side note...funny how some of those engines seem to fail just prior to an OPR close out

Flounder

I was in the 39th too, now in the AG. I remember your name from a pilot list--I got there in Sep 04 before the ASEV and Oct deployment. We have a lot of friends in common... No estimate for my class date yet; SWA is building their training schedules 30 days out, no more. Until then, I'll keep the AF blue, trying to live the best of both worlds and still get paid!

FrankCobretti

Hi fellas,

Another new guy here. I'm a Navy Herc bubba, starting at Delta next month. Good times!

Flounder

Hey FrankC
Love that movie! Congrats on the Delta gig; I'm jealous! Did you do a full 20 or pull the plug prior? Had a few Navy pilots in my type class. I've always wanted to ask a Navy Herc dude this question: Would you be willing to attempt an assaulut landing on an aircraft carrier? That video rocks; would have been a thrill. 3000 ft seems way to long. Welcome!

Rafiki

Hey guys,

I'm a Herc driver and just got out of the AF in September after 9 yrs...still live in Little Rock.

I recently got hired by Air Tranport International (ATI) and just finished my PC in their DC-8 Sim. They're getting their first 767s soon

Rob, there are many good opportunities out there. Don't look only at the most "popular" ones.