Blue Angels cancel 2013 performances
04-10-2013, 04:44 AM
#11
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The frightening thing will be if, once the initial press flurry dies down, this reduced op tempo and "cost savings" becomes acceptable because nobody really notices the lack of Blue Angels or T-birds, the combat flyers get back up to speed relatively quickly, etc. This could be the new normal.
Once funding is lost, it's difficult to get it back no matter what the circumstances.
Once funding is lost, it's difficult to get it back no matter what the circumstances.
04-10-2013, 04:46 AM
#12
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Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
Bdgerjmn:
No slight meant to the Blues. It's a comment on government and manipulation of public-perception.
Government and Big Brass (which is a form of 'government'): "Let's make a public announcement that the Blues have been cancelled for April." (It was on all the local channels). "That will make it seem like we are trying to save money due to the budget problems."
Reality: The practice shows on those four days cost almost as much as flying the actual shows.
In the above example, substitute "Control tower," "Library," "Highway bridge replacement," or other program for "Blues."
What I am saying is, the cuts associated with sequestration really often don't save any money at all. It is political posturing. It starts at the Federal level, and is handed down to the JCS, who pass it on to us.
There is an agenda here. I believe it is more about shaping public opinion than actually saving money. And that agenda would be to make the public more receptive to tax increases in order to return basic, as well as non-essential government services.
I haven't seen a single meaningful nor sensible cut in the Air Force (or Federal Government) since this started. Still lots of pointless waste. But dramatic announcements (14 combat squadrons closed for the rest of the year) continue to proliferate.
No slight meant to the Blues. It's a comment on government and manipulation of public-perception.
Government and Big Brass (which is a form of 'government'): "Let's make a public announcement that the Blues have been cancelled for April." (It was on all the local channels). "That will make it seem like we are trying to save money due to the budget problems."
Reality: The practice shows on those four days cost almost as much as flying the actual shows.
In the above example, substitute "Control tower," "Library," "Highway bridge replacement," or other program for "Blues."
What I am saying is, the cuts associated with sequestration really often don't save any money at all. It is political posturing. It starts at the Federal level, and is handed down to the JCS, who pass it on to us.
There is an agenda here. I believe it is more about shaping public opinion than actually saving money. And that agenda would be to make the public more receptive to tax increases in order to return basic, as well as non-essential government services.
I haven't seen a single meaningful nor sensible cut in the Air Force (or Federal Government) since this started. Still lots of pointless waste. But dramatic announcements (14 combat squadrons closed for the rest of the year) continue to proliferate.
I'm not advocating for or against cancelling the Blues schedule or getting into a political discussion with you about posturing. You're certainly entitled to your opinion. The reality is there is cost savings associated with not sending 7 jets on the road along with Fat Albert and the maintainers for a show weekend. I, fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, work at the command that ultimately did the math and made the recommendations to the CNO regarding the Blues/TACDEMO/Air Show fate writ large. Those decisions were made at the highest levels in the Navy and as you have seen, at the last possible moment given the fiscal constraints.
Bdger
04-10-2013, 05:15 AM
#13
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I can see the guys starting UPT now not having enough hours for an ATP by the end of their first commitment.
NOT that the military is responsible for getting guys ready for the airlines, but I think the military pipeline to the Majors will quickly dry up.
NOT that the military is responsible for getting guys ready for the airlines, but I think the military pipeline to the Majors will quickly dry up.
04-10-2013, 07:48 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by Lobaeux
I can see the guys starting UPT now not having enough hours for an ATP by the end of their first commitment.
NOT that the military is responsible for getting guys ready for the airlines, but I think the military pipeline to the Majors will quickly dry up.
NOT that the military is responsible for getting guys ready for the airlines, but I think the military pipeline to the Majors will quickly dry up.
04-10-2013, 08:13 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by BDGERJMN
Those decisions were made...at the last possible moment given the fiscal constraints.
Pentagon planners ordered to keep potential budget cuts from Congress
Sunday, May 20, 2012
For Pentagon planners, automatic spending cuts slated to begin in January have become the $600 billion contingency they can’t plan for.
Military planners are under strict orders not to devise scenarios for meeting the demands of “sequestration,” as the automatic, across-the-board spending reductions are called. Such paperwork, if leaked, would tell Congress there might be a way to deal with such drastic cuts.
“The department is not currently planning for sequestration,” Air Force Lt. Col. Melinda Morgan, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told The Washington Times. The White House budget office “has not directed agencies, including [the Defense Department], to initiate any plans for sequestration.”
In April, for example, a group of outside analysts met with Army budget officials at the Pentagon to hear how the service will deal with known cuts. When analysts asked about the looming next stage, sequestration, the officials said they could not even begin to plan.
“They said they had all been ordered not to. It would be a violation. It would be a crime,” one participant told The Times.
An Army officer said, according to the participant: “I would be disobeying orders. I would be violating my orders and essentially committing a criminal act if I did any analytics on sequestration at this point.”
Sunday, May 20, 2012
For Pentagon planners, automatic spending cuts slated to begin in January have become the $600 billion contingency they can’t plan for.
Military planners are under strict orders not to devise scenarios for meeting the demands of “sequestration,” as the automatic, across-the-board spending reductions are called. Such paperwork, if leaked, would tell Congress there might be a way to deal with such drastic cuts.
“The department is not currently planning for sequestration,” Air Force Lt. Col. Melinda Morgan, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told The Washington Times. The White House budget office “has not directed agencies, including [the Defense Department], to initiate any plans for sequestration.”
In April, for example, a group of outside analysts met with Army budget officials at the Pentagon to hear how the service will deal with known cuts. When analysts asked about the looming next stage, sequestration, the officials said they could not even begin to plan.
“They said they had all been ordered not to. It would be a violation. It would be a crime,” one participant told The Times.
An Army officer said, according to the participant: “I would be disobeying orders. I would be violating my orders and essentially committing a criminal act if I did any analytics on sequestration at this point.”
04-10-2013, 08:28 AM
#16
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Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
Bdgerjmn:
Reality:
There is an agenda here. I believe it is more about shaping public opinion than actually saving money. And that agenda would be to make the public more receptive to tax increases in order to return basic, as well as non-essential government services.
I haven't seen a single meaningful nor sensible cut in the Air Force (or Federal Government) since this started. Still lots of pointless waste. But dramatic announcements (14 combat squadrons closed for the rest of the year) continue to proliferate.
Reality:
There is an agenda here. I believe it is more about shaping public opinion than actually saving money. And that agenda would be to make the public more receptive to tax increases in order to return basic, as well as non-essential government services.
I haven't seen a single meaningful nor sensible cut in the Air Force (or Federal Government) since this started. Still lots of pointless waste. But dramatic announcements (14 combat squadrons closed for the rest of the year) continue to proliferate.
UAL, you sir, are exactly and 100% correct!
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, because "otherwise" is not true.
04-10-2013, 08:39 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by UnderOveur
04-10-2013, 08:46 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by UnderOveur
BS. Utter and complete BS. They were made at the last possible moment because the WH specifically ordered the JCS not to plan for sequestration.
Last I checked, the WHBO was not in the DoD chain of command. So, if you'd like to quote a Washington Times article thats fine. I'm here to tell you that planning for sequestration is and was happening at many levels regardless of the Times article. It isnt as if poof out of a hat, CNO said "Cut the Blues".
I'm sure cancelling HST CSG deployment and Lincoln's overhaul was posturing too right?
04-10-2013, 09:36 AM
#19
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Originally Posted by UnderOveur
BS. Utter and complete BS. They were made at the last possible moment because the WH specifically ordered the JCS not to plan for sequestration.
04-10-2013, 10:20 AM
#20
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Position: 767 Captain
Posts: 3,988
Originally Posted by SonnyJim
Oh no!!!!
If that does happen, where will Delta and FedEx get their "Elite" flyers from?
If that does happen, where will Delta and FedEx get their "Elite" flyers from?
Gotta throw the civilians a bone every now and then. [sarcasm/humor detectors on please]
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