This thread has a lot of echos of threads on similar issues at other places like FDX and Delta. Management doesn't require a PBS system to be aggressive with their pilots--FDX has line schedules but hired a retired pilot and retired 1 star in the reserves to call units to ask about pilot duties. Most guys have clued their units in, but when he called he would ID himself as BG xxxxxxx. Not sure how much effect he had but the intent was to put a strong, credible former reservist to be "good cop" when he called to speak to commanders.

The fact is it doesn't matter what you did in the past, USERRA governs the rules. Most units appeared to have put a filter on this guy, but sharing that so you don't think CAL was the only demon out there. Read the Delta threat on MLOA and you'll see similar stuff. My suggestion is Mil Affairs guys at the Big 3 and FDX and SWA need to get their own teleconference and share intel. The companies are doing it--so they should too.

Over the last few years, my words to guys who are traditional Guardsmen and Reservists has morphed. It is now simple: Don't tell anyone in the cockpit what you do on your time off. You don't have say "**** off, its none of your business" but you don't have to gleefully describe your last F-16 alert scramble or C-130 trip to the sandbox. Remember the new guy rule of "never pass up the opportunity to shut your hole..." I haven't always lived that--but wished I had complied more.

The problem is you face too many unknown threats. Everyone knows management is a threat, and will try to harass or intimidate you when they think they can get away with it to reduce their reserve utilization and make their matrix look better. It ain't personal--but it still irks you. But its a known threat.

The threats you may not recognize....are your co-workers. These threads show a few....

The guy who lives in domicile hoping to not get called on reserve. He huffs and puffs when the phone rings calling him out...and he resents you...

The guy who retired to get "security" while you bailed at 7/10/12/14 years and will never have your seniority. He has no reserve duties so he works at the whim of the company, and he may resent your "good deal" of still flying tactical stuff and getting the odd day off here and there. He may have wanted to be you--but didn't have the balls to bail. Not every 20 year guy fits the mold--but there are some.

The guy who rushed your Guard unit but was not offered a position. Maybe he went somewhere else, or never got hired anywhere. He hates your guts, and you don't even know it....

The guy who didn't have 20/20 but knew every fighter ever made, watched Baa Black Sheep religiously, but never could pass a military medical and worked his way up through the regionals...

My point is as a new hire we typically look at our more senior co-workers and see guys we envy--with seniority, experience, and good deals. What you may not understand is some are envious of you too...and sometimes envy causes people to do some pretty nasty things, or work against you behind the scenes.

So--don't do anything that creates envy. Everyone that flys is cooler than you. Go do your job. Drop mil leave when you need it. Fly your missions and be a bro to your squadron mates. Don't do anything stupid or illegal. Preserve your job(s). But do not expect to make friends. Coworkers are coworkers. Friends are friends. Courteous to all--friends with very few is a good mantra for the TG/TRs out there.

Otherwise--expect guys like GoCats to ******* you when they can. We appreciate your service....until it stops me from getting a good deal. Nobody gives a damn about your deployment while you are gone--they are at the park, the mall, or the big game.... While you are in the sim working on C-130 EPs or prepping for your mission commander checkride in your Viper, they are at the lake with family. The reward for all that extra stress, risk, and time, is the ire of your flight management and many of your own co-workers.

So--you need to learn to quietly say "**** you. I serve my God, my family, and my nation. I cannot make everyone happy, even though I try." Then go about your business.