My friend used some lingo from his fighter pilot days. I didn't really understand not only what the phrase meant, but the meaning it tried to convey.

1) Ground abort
2) Make it to the merge

And I thought lawyers talk funny! At least I say what I mean, and mean what I say.

1.) flight/event cancelled. Probably after start up but before takeoff. Weather, maintenence, etc.

2.) The "merge" is where a fight starts when talking classic dog fighting. Basically pointed at each other, as soon as we pass, that is the merge and fights on.

"Making it to the merge" means you probably started out beyond visual range, and you are trying to survive BVR shots/tactics so you can make the merge. Duck and dive, so you can get in close and punch him in the face.

And to translate the answer, BVR is Beyond Visual Range.

As a metaphor, "make-it-to-the-merge" means get past the trivial, uninteresting, prerequisites, or busy-work to get down to the real action or conflict, whatever that is.

Did he get the job? No, he had a DUI so he didn't even make it to the merge at the interview.

Now, if your friend used this terminology whilst describing how his date went last night, those two terms mean something completely different....

Thanks guys.

It was a metaphor. He (F-18) was describing what usually happens to a guy (F-14) when meeting a woman for prurient, salacious, lecherous and licentious purposes.

You sir, win the Internet!

Air Force specific

Container - you can never say box
Cranium - you can never say head
So to speak - I don't want to get another warning from the mods so I will refrain from explaining

I'm no fighter pilot,... but in this day and age, I'd say the fight should be over long before the merge.

Yes, but how do you show that with your hands at the bar?