Bumming has been hard for years unless your unit has an alert line. Most associate units have had no bums for years. If you own the iron, it's easier. If you have alert lines, it's even easier. If you have contacts, no family committments, and are an IP, you can make a decent living (about 50% of what an AD guy can make in a yr). If you are an LT co-pilot, the only real way to make money is deploying with another unit/AD. Just my view from where I sit...