Originally Posted by
1515greenlight
As to civilian versus military? Some good some bad on both sides. I've flown with both in my right seat. Personally, I'll take a guy who paid his own way, flew crap planes in a low altitude NE corridor IFR winter slogging it out with multiple legs a day in soaking wet shoes. Not only does he have a much better grip on reality when the magic goes "poof," he understands what it means to come up the hard way. He doesn't have a military pension, Guard or Reserve slot to fall back on when the crap hits the fan, and is much more appreciative of those around him who don't fly the plane, but make it possible for him to.
Well, I just have to respond to that. See, as a military guy, I was a Division Officer in charge of the guys who took care of my airplane. I went on the flight deck in 130 degree weather in the middle of the gulf. I played cards with them down below during the down times. I knew everyone taking care of our jets, from PC's, to airframes, mechs, AT's, even the boeing REP's that deployed with us. Did you ever walk over and even say hello to the guys that kept your plane in the air? I doubt it very much, and if so, I'm sure it was limited.
You miss something too. I'm sure the guys who do have something on the side, ie Guard, Reserves, their own business, whatever, are much less likely to take crap when it starts coming their way. You'd probably be one of the first to scream bloody strike, and take off running to the cockpit to fly for the company when it actually transpired!
When the magic goes "poof?" Are you referring to some type of emergency situation? I assure you, the military guys deal with that ******* much more than you can imagine. I've flown more single engine, degraded approaches than I care to remember.
But I do agree, some good, some bad on both sides.
