You're kind of making my point for me. If you can't break 3K as a trougher (bum) anymore, then the regional thing is probably more of a necessity now. When the Air Force is paying LT's less than regionals, we can't be shocked that regionals start to become a normal option. I do realize that as reservists these LT's aren't "entitled" to full-time employment, but this is probably the first time in 2-3 decades that our LT's really have no where else to go without stacking boxes at Home Depot part-time while living in mom's basement. In reality, the regional would be more flexible with their Mil schedule than Home Depot.

Year 1 and 2 at most regionals now is about 25K and 31K respectively (YMMV), then you add anywhere from $12K to $20K for guard/reserve participation to total a "workable" income.

I should preface that when I was making those numbers "troughing" in the Reserves, there were a fair amount of RPA/MPA trips that paid quite handsomely with high per-diem locales. Those trips have dried up lately so I know the LT's in my Sq are really hurting. Bumming/troughing used to imply you probably go TDY at least once a month on RPA/MPA in addition to a couple of AT days and your TP's/UTA's

 

You just don't know when to let it go, do you?

When you intentionally misrepresent my remarks, then attack me in a public forum, you can expect to get some nasty in return.

Apparently, I once again came up short with you by wishing you success wherever you seek it.

 

He's got you here, man. I was kinda on your side, but let it go graciously....

 

Nor do you with a passive/aggressive style.

I NEVER intentionally misrepresented ANYTHING you said. Simply that I PERSONALLY know people hired at UPS that didn't conform to what you said the requirements were. I didn't attack you either, or call you names. I didn't take a derogatory tone until it was in response to yours. What do you expect?

If you didn't fly off the handle and start throwing your toys out of the crib by name calling, you wouldn't have found yourself in a position trying to play nice guy, now would you?

You have a good night sir, I'm "letting it go....."

 

Making good money is possible guard/reserve bumming as some have mentioned, but with the budget cuts here the few good deals left (mpa/rpa trips) are few and far between with the bums fighting for scraps. If you can live lean then it's not a bad lifestyle. I would try to go to a regional that has a base close by mil duty and have the best of both worlds while gaining valuable 121 experience. I feel for the LTs at our sq.. Hard to gain hours necessary to a major let alone the new regional requirements.

 

Home depot is a much better and higher paying 2nd job for a Lt than a regional. Everyone knows that.

 

But it isn't gonna get him a job at a major. Nor will Home Depot be very happy when he drops Annual Tour on them at the last minute to go to Hickam. Forest through the trees.

 

I do have a number of friends in the C-5 and C-17 who fly for Regionals. They drop mil leave with impunity, and are all very happy with their decision to go to a Regional. They do get a ton of jet time.

 

No joke, in 2007 a buddy of mine got hired by WN with not much more than 1500 total time and a smidge over 1000 TPIC. He was a C-21/C-130 guy. I don't see that happening anytime in the next several years if at all...

 

I'm working on it. Three Ex-wives can damn near break a man.