Originally Posted by
PDRit
I’ve flown with plenty of pilots over the years that have bragged about their abusing MIL LV. Sometimes “thumper” or “fig leaf “ can’t contain their themselves and feel the need to share how they are manipulating the system. They get defensive and cite USERRA as their shield when I’ve expressed how they are screwing their fellow pilots and their company.
There are plenty of legal ways to "screw" the company and/or your fellow pilots. I don't do it, I don't like it, and I tell my folks not to do it if for no other reason than it makes us reservists look bad and impacts employment opportunities for those who come behind us.
But it's perfectly legal to schedule your mil any way you want if it's consistent with military requirements. Ie if they're willing to pay you, it's legal. Neither of us have to like it.
My command has several key active duty leaders, all of whom like to take leave out of town over the holidays. Each year they ask me if I want to go on orders for a couple weeks during holiday routine... all I have to do is come in every couple days (legal holiday liberty rules), check email, and be available in my hometown via phone if the command center needs something. Beats the heck out of flying a junior line, but I always say no. Doesn't feel right. Maybe I'm stupid. But again, legal. Same for guys who take orders for their first 1-2 years at the airline. I counsel folks not to do it, and will generally not approve such orders if there are other alternatives. But again, all legal, legal, legal. Nothing to crack down on, unless you want to get "invited" down to the federal building for a deposition on your business practices relative to USERRA.
What should be "cracked down on" is people taking mil leave while not performing mil duty. This is actually very easy to catch, 100% of the time, but many airlines seem to be too busy harassing and obstructing legit mil duty that they don't have time to perform the simple verification which they are permitted to do in all cases.
Originally Posted by
PDRit
As for your last comment, go ahead Col Jessup, we want you on that wall, we need you on that wall. 😂🤣
GD Right.