Stories from FL280...

[Arlo]

Then there's this guy:



Watch out for ^

[cav58d]

Any updates Serenity?

[Serenity]

Any updates Serenity?

Potentially. Me and a handful of other students are scheduled to meet with the squadron Operations officer in an hour. I have my guess as to why... by I don't want to jinx it lol.

[Kanth]

[Serenity]

(Image removed from quote.)

Nope, lol. Just another meeting that could have been an e-mail.

"Thank you all for coming at 0800. Don't bring coffee to the FOD walkdown. That's all."

[Kanth]

OMG 

Sorry man. 

[Serenity]

OMG 

Sorry man. 

I wish I was joking. That was literally it, lol. We came in for a single sentence. What makes it worse is we have a mandatory All Officers Meeting this afternoon! lol. I can't really complain, I'm getting paid to do nothing, so I'm not actually bothered by it, I just think it's silly.

[cav58d]

I assume your getting regular hours in the sim on a weekly basis to stay proficient?  I can't imagine being a "low time" pilot flying such complex aircraft in an extremely challenging environment and just having to stop cold turkey.

Any expectations as to when you will fly again?

Hate to ask this but any chance they end up sending this cadre of students to UAV's if the problem isn't fixed soon?

<S>

[Serenity]

I assume your getting regular hours in the sim on a weekly basis to stay proficient?  I can't imagine being a "low time" pilot flying such complex aircraft in an extremely challenging environment and just having to stop cold turkey.

Any expectations as to when you will fly again?

Hate to ask this but any chance they end up sending this cadre of students to UAV's if the problem isn't fixed soon?

<S>

I get about 1.5 hours every two weeks in the sim. That's it.

No expectations moving forward, but fortunately, the navy doesn't really HAVE UAVs, so that's a zero chance.

[Puma44]

So, how long are they telling you it's going to be.  I've got a friend whose nephew is at Meridian in the same "boat" as you.  They are telling him it may be September or October before he flies.  An admiral came for a visit there and said the Navy was considering sending students to USAF pilot training bases to finish in the T-38 OR go to Australia to fly T-45s.  Apparently, they are having no such problems down yonder.  Have you heard the same?

I suggested, and my friend also suggested to his nephew that he consider cross pollinating to the USAF where they are allegedly 700ish short of fighter pilots.  Just a thought for consideration. 

[Serenity]

So, how long are they telling you it's going to be.  I've got a friend whose nephew is at Meridian in the same "boat" as you.  They are telling him it may be September or October before he flies.  An admiral came for a visit there and said the Navy was considering sending students to USAF pilot training bases to finish in the T-38 OR go to Australia to fly T-45s.  Apparently, they are having no such problems down yonder.  Have you heard the same?

I suggested, and my friend also suggested to his nephew that he consider cross pollinating to the USAF where they are allegedly 700ish short of fighter pilots.  Just a thought for consideration. 

We have heard literally the opposite, lol. We've been told the Navy is NOT considering sending us out to the Air Force for training at all. We're also expecting from the grapevine that November is the current target. As far as cross-pollinating to the USAF, I would sooner shoot myself. They f*** their own people over so badly, I can only IMAGINE how bad it would be for US going over there...

[Puma44]

 As far as cross-pollinating to the USAF, I would sooner shoot myself. They f*** their own people over so badly,

How so?  Examples?

[Serenity]

How so?  Examples?

I had a few Air Force IPs in primary. They had lots of first-hand stories of people being selected for Fighters/Bombers, going through their FRS, and actually showing up at a "fleet" squadron (I don't know what USAF calls that) only to be sent to go fly drones instead.

[Puma44]

I had a few Air Force IPs in primary. They had lots of first-hand stories of people being selected for Fighters/Bombers, going through their FRS, and actually showing up at a "fleet" squadron (I don't know what USAF calls that) only to be sent to go fly drones instead.

True. That has happened.  The AF pissed off so many pilots with that program, that they have bailed in droves to do other things.  Now, the AF is in a critical shortage of fighter jocks.  They are now trying to figure out how to retain "fighter" pilots vs "drone" pilots.  So much so that there are now enlisted drone pilots in the pipeline. 

I did 21 years in the AF.  There was always some kind of BS from senior leadership who had lost a grip on reality and drove great people out.  That was happening in ALL branches of the service the entire time.   AND it is still happening to this day.  So, it always boils down to a "pay your money and take your chances" choice.  It's down to the quality of life now and in the future with consideration of a possible family. 

It's always best to be on the crest of the bow wave when things are changing.  It's just a matter of what you are prepared to do to get there. Color outside the box or stay in the box and wait for what gets poured in. 

[Serenity]

True. That has happened.  The AF pissed off so many pilots with that program, that they have bailed in droves to do other things.  Now, the AF is in a critical shortage of fighter jocks.  They are now trying to figure out how to retain "fighter" pilots vs "drone" pilots.  So much so that there are now enlisted drone pilots in the pipeline. 

I did 21 years in the AF.  There was always some kind of BS from senior leadership who had lost a grip on reality and drove great people out.  That was happening in ALL branches of the service the entire time.   AND it is still happening to this day.  So, it always boils down to a "pay your money and take your chances" choice.  It's down to the quality of life now and in the future with consideration of a possible family. 

It's always to best to be on the crest of the bow wave when things are changing.  It's just a matter of how to be on the leading edge and what you are prepared to do to get there. 

Personally, I feel the Navy has taken REALLY good care of me. There have been hiccups, but the Service has done VERY well by me, and I have no desire to be anywhere else. Not to mention, I actually LIKE being on a ship, and want to go back to sea... lol. USAF is not even on my radar.