I'm fixing the retention thing...here you go.
#21
Albie, I think your idea has some merit, but it would entail individual aviators placing a lot of trust in the military to make good some years into the future. Most of us have seen the irreverence with which the USAF treats its promises. I doubt you'd have many takers. The reality is that USAF will implement no kidding stop loss at some point down the road. The smart money is on getting out before that happens if you have that option.
#22
#24
Long term...
Our country recognizes ship Captains as national assets and critical to the economy. We created the Merchant Marine academy to supply qualified crew members to the shipping industry.
Our country should recognize the same for airmen and create an equal school and produce pilots.
You could draw some parallels with CRAF, and the pending pilot shortage. There would be a benefit in that it would remove the bottom-feeder element from entry-level pilot training and recruitment, but that would only work if ALL airline pilots had to graduate from an ATP academy or the military. Big change in status quo, but I suspect the airlines would go for it if the fed took the lead...they're afraid sponsored ab-initio is coming and they'd be happy to have someone else pay for it. Presumably it would be post-grad, ie you have to show up with a college degree in hand.
But I don't see the fed getting around to it until the pilot shortage has catastrophic results...presumably the airlines will establish their own ab-initio before it comes to that, alleviating the obvious need for the fed to get involved.
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,229
12-13 nights a month away from home?? Ugh.
Six three day trips is 12 nights.
Five three days trips is 10 nights.
Eight two day trips is 8 nights.
Seven two day trips is 7 nights.
Turns always sleep at home.
Senior guys get down to 6-8 nights a month on long haul.
Six three day trips is 12 nights.
Five three days trips is 10 nights.
Eight two day trips is 8 nights.
Seven two day trips is 7 nights.
Turns always sleep at home.
Senior guys get down to 6-8 nights a month on long haul.
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,229
"Lagniappe: Noncurrent 0-5s and 0-6s are going to the Regionals, Corporate, and ISR jobs and getting to the majors. In a funny way, this may be the biggest challenge to overall retention. When a JO is talking to his detailer and theJO knows the detailer is leaving for a flying job on the outside the worm has really turned."
When the senior guys running manning start leaving... already happening.
Back in time - early 1990's. O-5, 17 yrs, fast burner. Assigned by Gen Creech(???) to "show the guys why they should stay in." From his analysis he realizes the cutoff is much sooner and reserves makes it pointless to stay. He resigns. O-7(O-8??) is stunned. I flew with him "you left AD with 17 yrs??"
When the senior guys running manning start leaving... already happening.
Back in time - early 1990's. O-5, 17 yrs, fast burner. Assigned by Gen Creech(???) to "show the guys why they should stay in." From his analysis he realizes the cutoff is much sooner and reserves makes it pointless to stay. He resigns. O-7(O-8??) is stunned. I flew with him "you left AD with 17 yrs??"
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2016
Position: 737 tiller master
Posts: 288
Good idea Albie. Alas, it is too little too late. I am a traditional reservist and IP at an AF SUPT base. I also fly for United. EVERY active-duty IP I know is leaving big blue as soon as possible for the airlines (MAF and CAF pilot alike).
The active duty folks are constantly picking our brains about the reserve/guard and our airline jobs. They stand gaped jawed when I explain that I am gone from home 12 to 13 nights a month for my airline job and I earn more than the wing commander.
They are sick of working perpetual 12-hour days and being coerced to fly weekends now and then. They despise the multitude of additional duties, queep, online training, don't be a rapist training, don't kill yourself training, DTS, and on and on and on. The active duty folks rarely smile and generally they all seem grumpy. Morale is low, very low.
They fully realize seniority is king and with United, Delta, American, FedEx and Southwest just starting their hiring booms - they are not going to hang out in the AF hoping things get better. They know things will not get better. Since 9/11 big blue has utterly abused the pilot force because the pilots had no where else to go. Well, dem chickens iz comin home to roost.
Word on the street is that the AF is going to increase maximum flight pay to $1,500 per month and raise ACP (aviator continuation pay) to $48,000 per year. It won't be enough. Big Blue is in big trouble.
The active duty folks are constantly picking our brains about the reserve/guard and our airline jobs. They stand gaped jawed when I explain that I am gone from home 12 to 13 nights a month for my airline job and I earn more than the wing commander.
They are sick of working perpetual 12-hour days and being coerced to fly weekends now and then. They despise the multitude of additional duties, queep, online training, don't be a rapist training, don't kill yourself training, DTS, and on and on and on. The active duty folks rarely smile and generally they all seem grumpy. Morale is low, very low.
They fully realize seniority is king and with United, Delta, American, FedEx and Southwest just starting their hiring booms - they are not going to hang out in the AF hoping things get better. They know things will not get better. Since 9/11 big blue has utterly abused the pilot force because the pilots had no where else to go. Well, dem chickens iz comin home to roost.
Word on the street is that the AF is going to increase maximum flight pay to $1,500 per month and raise ACP (aviator continuation pay) to $48,000 per year. It won't be enough. Big Blue is in big trouble.
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05-25-2015 04:20 PM