Thunder1

Absolutely!! Funny how the grass is always greener. I go back on Active Duty Monday morning after retiring at 20 yrs, going to the airlines and being furloughed -- can't wait to get back on AD. Competent leadership (your experience may vary), $130K per year, 30 days of paid leave, 10 federal holidays per year, a sense of comraderie that the airlines lack, good flying, a good retirement system, free medical, etc, etc. I know the same BS stuff will be there but I think after seeing the other side for a while it will bother me less and I'll just let it roll off vs. complaing about it like before.

After experiencing the turmoil of the airlines, 18 days a month away from home, commuting and the attitude of airline management that you are truly just a cost on the expense sheet not a valued employee that actually generates revenue, I will look at my next 4 years back in the AF as a true blessing and appreciate what the AF does offer.

Hopefully, in 4 years the airline industry will again be a place that I will want to return to after my 2nd retirement from the AF.

Good luck to all pursuing a return to Active Duty.

Thunder1

Box Office

Not sure what time frame you were in before, but my last 5 years in I only had a total of 5 federal holidays where I was not working/on-call/or deployed. Oh and I also had leave canceled on average 3 times a year. To the tune of several thousands lost in reservations for trips. So much leave canceled for operational reasons that when I separated, I took 60 days of terminal leave and still had 60 days of leave to sell back. I know there are a few good things about Active Duty, but just be aware the reality may have changed from when you were there before.

Snacks

I want to echo what Thunder1 said. I AM HAPPY TO BE GOING BACK! I used to say that I would stay in until it wasn't fun anymore, then Kosovo and 16 trips in 18 months, always away from my family, then when ready to retire, 9-11 and I got stop-lossed. I wasn't having fun. But you know, 7 years away has changed my viewpoint. I didn't realize how good I had it. Germany here we come and happy to be going back. I also get to celebrate officially today. My daughter was selected for OTS and will be a 2nd generation ABM!! I don't know if they can stand two of us on active duty at the same time.

Snacks

Thunder1

Box Office,

I was on active duty from June 1988 thru June 2008. Just like the airline industry each persons experience can vary wildly based on their individual circumstance. For example, I have a friend who retired 9 months before I did and is with SWA and loving it. SWA was not hiring when I retired and I went with UAL and was furloughed after only a few months.

Likewise in the Air Force, lifestyles and job satisfaction can vary greatly depending on if you are flying cargo, fighters, bombers, or special mission aircraft. My 20 years in the AF were very good to me overall -- great flying and relatively stable family life. Here's hoping my return to active duty for the next 4 years is similar to my first 20 years when it comes to family lifestyle and job satisfaction.

Had I not been furloughed from United I really doubt I would be going back in. However, in my current situation and 3.5 more years until normal rates of retirements resume in the airline industry going back to a flying position on active duty is truly a blessing. Once again I am the beneficiary of the Air Force personnel systems inability to properly manage the pilot force and forecast their needs. Happy to come back in and help out with their self induced pilot shortage.

Best of luck to you and fly safe. Cheers!

Thunder1

Box Office

I completely agree - everyone's experience is different. I hope it works out for everyone like they are envisioning. I have just heard many guys recollect on the AF of the 80's or 90's and think it is the same. I'm not saying a person going back right now can't have a wonderful experience, but I would be remiss to not mention potential downsides. I'm not trying to be overly negative, just a realist.

The funny thing that struck me was the mention of getting federal holdiays off. I know in theory that should be true, it just never worked out for me. Conversly in 2 years at DAL, I've had more federal holdiays off than my last 5 years in the AF. Not to mention I've had 3 weeks of vacation - none of which was cancelled. I'm sure I've experienced the extreme on both sides of the fence. I've been really lucky on the outside so far and recognize that. I do hope things work out well for those going back.

Lifizgud

Good luck, guys - glad to hear there are some flying jobs opening up for you!

nfnsquared

Agreed. What I'll be interested in knowing is the percentage of recalls that get sent off on a 179 their first year....I'm still on the fence, watching.

Good luck to all!

LivingInMEM

Exactly how many people (as a percentage of the USAF) do you really think are getting non-vol'd on 179-day trips to the sandbox? Of that percentage, do you think they will target the return to AD guys at a higher rate?

Have you seen any previous return to AD people targeted at a higher rate (other than their initial bad deal to get back on AD - which they agreed to, or the low promotion rates due to the break in service - which was known up front) than others?

Agreed, there are bad deals to be found in the USAF, but the conspiracy theory is a bit much. Even the banked pilots got what was promised to them by McPeak.

nfnsquared

Whoa, no conspiracy theory here, just curious..But if they are using DEROS as a criteria for selection, that'll move most of the recalls to the top of the list. This was the specific reason why they are not eligible for a 365..

LivingInMEM

Copy - I interpreted your question as more of a comment - my bad.