Air Reserve Technician or Bum - Page 2 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#11

Gilligan13 , 11-01-2016 06:19 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by C-17 Driver

He's not an AC yet and IP is likely a couple years away which means that he rolls in as a GS-12... the pay will be much less than GS-13. He is better off financially bumming then as an ART for now. Bumming has been and should continue to be pretty good in the C-17 world.

I've done all 3 - Bum to ART (3.5 yrs) to TR. to this day, I remain grateful for the ART position. However, I sure do not miss the paperwork involved to fly in either civilian status or military status. I'm happy to be a f-ART!

But, there's always something to be said about the comfort of a full-time job. That's why I was happy to take the ART position. I would not put my family through the stress of the feast or famine lifestyle.

Is it really that easy to make $80k as a C17 bum?

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#12

AFTrainerGuy , 11-01-2016 08:13 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TankerDriver

Why bum if you're going to skip the regionals? You can fly your butt off as an ART while getting paid $120k a year. Not sure how the C-17 world is doing for bum life, but in the tanker world, I wouldn't survive at my unit as a bum. Just not enough opportunities to make money and fly aside from spending life in the desert. I'd rather be home almost every night and have a steady paycheck until that major calls me. You can leave whenever you want (which is why they'll never FORCE people to be ART's; it's illegal). Being an ART ain't easy, but you probably wouldn't need to do it more than a few years max. I'd much rather be an ART than living the regional life. Different strokes for different folks.

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Gen Jackson signed a memo in June 2016 FORCING all UFT grads to serve as a GS-9 ART for 4 years. I have seen memo students are signing which takes effect with anyone graduating after June 2016.

Yes, it is illegal, but this is the Air Force we live in now.

#13

AFTrainerGuy , 11-01-2016 08:14 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AFTrainerGuy

Edit: signed June, takes effect after Dec 2016

#14

Gilligan13 , 11-01-2016 11:12 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AFTrainerGuy

Edit: signed June, takes effect after Dec 2016

Reserves not Guard.

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#15

Loneranger , 11-01-2016 11:21 AM

On Reserve

Thank you everyone for your replies and opinions. I'm very appreciative that you folks took the time to share this info.

In response to one post, I hope y'all don't feel like I am bragging. I'm very greatful that my squadron thinks enough of me to approach me regarding an ART position. I'm really lucky to have these options available.

It looks like the bum route is more advantageous to my current situation. It gives me a greater flexibility with my schedule and allows for more flying in the end. I think that the ART program would have been a good fit two years ago for me but, at the current ops pace I seem to be making enough to keep our finances in a good spot.

#16

Gilligan13 , 11-01-2016 01:53 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Loneranger

Can a bum make as much as an Art?

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#17

Loneranger , 11-01-2016 02:55 PM

On Reserve

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilligan13

Can a bum make as much as an Art?

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If I flew a little more I would make as much as a GS-12.

Next year because of some deployment and training opportunities I will probably make more.

#18

Gilligan13 , 11-01-2016 03:40 PM

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Wow, if you wanna bum go C17's.

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#19

TankerDriver , 11-01-2016 06:48 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by C-17 Driver

Looks like we have a lot of inconsistances between AFRC and the ANG. ALL technicians are back to the GS-13 payscale. No more GS-12 bull****, which should have never happened in the first place. Some units are even hiring at higher than Step 1 (Step 6-7 level for a new hire). I've heard the reserves are at like <75% fulltime manning. Who in their right F'n mind would be hiring at GS-12 levels. Your standard "admin officer" PD is a GS-12. You can't hire an officer at a GS-9. Absolutely f'n ridiculous. I hope to god people aren't stupid enough to sign agreements like that just to go to UPT, but I'm sure some are. Poor form on the Reserve side. In the ANG, I'd like to say we have a revolving door on the ART side, but it's more like "exit only". The last two GS-13's we hired were right out of UPT. Two 2Lt's landed GS-13 jobs. Boy, have times changed. I'm still bleeding from the days I almost cut off a left testicle to be a full timer. We can't even fill AGR positions with the people they're targeting to fill them with (O-4, IP/EP types). Noone wants it.

So what is the punitive action for an individual who signs an agreement to do 4 years as a GS-9 and then decides to go to the airlines? NONE? The OPM doesn't support that. They can QUIT whenever they want. Are they going to kick these individuals out of the unit militarily? On what grounds?

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#20

Gilligan13 , 11-01-2016 07:05 PM

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Is being an Art that bad or are guys easily swayed to the airlines? I'm surprised people would rather commute then take a full-time spot in the Guard.

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