I figure a bunch of flexes are on this thread, so now that I am out of the schoolhouse and in IOE I think I can tell you this without sounding like I am sucking up...

Outstanding program. Outstanding training. Superior instructors. It was (really) a fun program. I missed being away from home for such a long stretch, but that was about my only complaint. I also think a bar in the student lounge for after training shop talks would be good (ala a fighter squadron), but I don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon.

I taught in an AF Schoolhouse for 10 years and know its easy at times to get burned out or tired. I never saw a burned out or tired instructor in any of my events...in fact I would have been embarrassed if I didn't show up prepared because it was obvious the instructors I flew with were a pretty fired up bunch.

Formal critique will get sent in about a week but wanted to lead turn the "thank you" for those of you from the AOTC building that are on this thread. Thank you very much.

 

So can we deduce from your post that you actually think you're going to pass IOE? What is this world coming to?

Congratulations (in advance), I know you'll love the Mad Dog.

JJ

 

I'm one of the Flex instructors who left last month. I put my request in 3+months ago and have not been forced to go another 3. I started flexing a few years back because I enjoyed instructing, because I got to help some really great crews learn a really great aircraft (MD11), and I became a more proficient pilot. So when the Contract hit us, that sucked but the above reasons still applied so I stayed.

Now as a level 3 all I do is checkrides and I'm bored silly. Then I hear that one of the high level managers said who cares, they can't all quit. So after insult is added to injury, I know it's time for me to go. And here I am in San Juan soaking up the sun in January realizing I've just given myself a promotion and a pay raise! And no more restrictions to 5 inviolate days off per month!. As far as draft goes, at 4 hours pay per day, draft pays only 6 in the schoolhouse. Get it? 15 days for 60 hours roughly, I can do 10 out/backs for that, then take 18 days off.

Just understand this. We've got some great people there who are good at what they do, and you need them there. If it were up to management, they'd hire outside professionals at 50k/yr who never flew in the complex system our crews do. And as for non members, there are not as many as you believe. I always wore my ALPA lanyard and so do most, even when I'm ****ed at ALPA.

I'll not miss the job, just the people.

 

Could be part of a grand strategy.

If everyone quits and no one volunteers, we have to go contract.


Like I said before, this place has changed....

 

Gee, I wonder which loving manager said that!

 

I've contended since the contract and it's concessionary section 11 came out, that senior management doesn't care if flexes leave and in fact wants the flex instructors to go away.

They want only professionals. When they can't get enough flexes to conduct checkrides, they'll subvert that section of the contract and then get an arbitrator to side with them. Their argument will be "what else can we do?"

 

I could not agree more with what V1VR said. I'm a flex and believe me, we ARE working 15 days a month for what is in my case, the highest paying line. That pay varies month to month depending on what line I can hold. During some months, the crew sitting across the table from me is making more per day (4+30 per day) than I am (currently at 4+05). I am not complaining about the pay; what I am saying is that to me, it's come down to a case of working 10 days on the line (60 hour month) or working 15 days in the school house during that same 60 hour month; purely a matter of how many days I'd like to work.

So as V1Vr said, it looks to me like it's a whole lot easier to bid SJU day time trips, take my pay raise and work 10 days a month than it is to teach in the school house.

I am not looking for pats on the back here so please do not misunderstand what I am about to say. I have several friends who serve alongside me as professional instructors and they do a fine job at what they do, they really do. But you do NOT want them conducting CMV's, MV's, PV's or CLOE's. We need line experienced pilots doing that.

Thanks for letting me put my two cents worth in.