Originally Posted by
Lambourne
When given the choice of a non-MIL qualified pilot and a MIL pilot that will be taking Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July etc off for the rest of their career for "duty" it makes the decision easier. This is a bottom line business and the added cost is surely baked into the pie. In addition to the fact there are so many qualified regional pilots that have experience in airline flying could be a big reason there might not be as many MIL pilots getting called as before.
I think your comments in blue are more germane to the issue. Your comments in red are off base IMHO.
Case in point: My Reserve squadron had a NWA pilot who would tell the Company he had duty over Christmas. They actually called the unit to see if he was actually there. He wasn't. He got fired from NWA and the Reserve Squadron.
A lot of CONUS based logistics squadrons pull way back during the holidays (unless there's something going on). Generally speaking, we didn't give active duty or drills over the holidays if we didn't need the guys. We always tried to save the money for when we would actually need them.
Usually, the only person on station during the holidays was the SDO and that was usually an active duty officer with a skeleton enlisted crew.
Same. Most are closed on FEDERAL holidays. Anyway just a shame I've seen about 20+ guard reserve friends to DAL AA and only ONE hired at UAL