The key to this whole gig is making "money for nothing", or as close as you can come to it. I guess some guys just want to hang out in ops or bore holes in the sky all day. I don't get it. From what I've seen, this job pulls enough life out of a man over a 30-35 year career. 15 days per month should be plenty of TAFB for a line holder to earn a decent living and the total compensation package should reflect that. The fewer hours my car is in the Mogadishu parking lot, the better. TAFB is the enemy. Cash (and retirement) are the key. Work rules = Cash = Money for Nothin'.

Back when glen had us strapped to a bench like Marcellus and Butch, the wise old guys were preaching that we let them have the cash and to safeguard the work rules at all cost. Us? We got our fear on and gave 'em both. How right they were. Now, some guys are jumping through hoops so they can fly on days off and while on vacation.

I'm still fond of my woman, my boat and hopefully soon, my new dog. I value time off and knowing that my B/C fund is growing at a reasonable pace over trying to wrangle every last pay credit hour I can out of a calendar year.

*** Those of you who want to latch on to EVERY short call assignment they dole out are encouraged to do so.