Any Reserve AETC IPs

[c5driver]

Hey Guys,
Looking for some info on life as a reserve IP in AETC. Talked to a guy the other day that went back on AD (C-5s) from Laughlin. He told me that they require 8 days min per month (with UTAs) and pretty much prefer those days to be consecutive. Is this pretty much PAR for the course or is it different between each squadron/base? Do most guys commute? How's the personality in the squadrons? Looking at T-37/T-6 squadrons. Thanks!

 

[CCDiscoB]

UTAs? How does that work at an AD wing?

What else would you do for a job? I couldn't imagine trying to commute from Del Rio, Enid or Columbus. I'd think the pain would be too great. But that's just me.

 

[Spur]

The "official policy" has always been 6-8 days/month. Initially this was an average, now you are supposed to meet the 6 a month min every month. Another policy change is that weekend UTAs (generally one saturday per quarter) do not count toward your 6. Whatever...

Maybe Del Rio has a different local policy, but I doubt it. As far as Enid is concerned, there is no pressure for consecutive days, as long as they add up to 6.

 

[Tweetdrvr]

CC,

We have one UTA weekend per quarter that is Mandatory=MUTA.

The MUTA can be done on TH-FR or FR-SAT, If done on Thursday and Friday there usually isn't much qweep to be done and guys just fly with their flights. Friday afternoon usually reserved for Commander's call. If it is done on Friday and Saturday, the Friday is a max fly day, and Saturday is the dreaded LOAC, Suicide prevention, Self-aid buddy care --QWEEP from Hades day.

The rest of the 32 UTA periods are placed on the calendar as normal Saturday Sunday and are meant to used as RUTAs. One catch to that is if you are performing duty during that weekend, you are supposed to be in UTA status. Usually only a big deal for guys who go cross country. Only because it just creates more paperwork for changing status headaches vice doing just a big block of Man-Days. But it is good to go cross country on AFTPs or RUTAs is that you get per-diem for being off station and paid twice.

What Spur said above about the number of days of participation is pretty much the way we do business here in lovely Del Rio by the sea.

 

[talondriver]

All the above are the participation standards for the 340th FTG. The days per month are averaged. The 340th/CC is also looking at the type of events accomplished per visit (student/CT/SOF etc).

The Columbus commute works best for the FedEx and NWA dudes out of MEM and the DAL dudes out of ATL. The ATL commute is about a 4.5 hour drive while the MEM drive is about 2.5. Guys can jumpseat into Golden Triangle Regional but most prefer to have wheels while they're here. We also have a number of DALs and NWAs that live locally...believe it or not.

 

[pilot141]

The "official policy" has always been 6-8 days/month. Initially this was an average, now you are supposed to meet the 6 a month min every month.

This "small" change in policy means a BIG change in QOL for the sluggo commuting to his reserve job. If you're planning on troughing, then it doesn't matter. But trying to work around another job means that you will (usually):

A. Spend a weekend in (Del Rio, Enid, Columbus) unpaid while you wait to burn that Dual TP on Monday or

B. Make two trips to your base in a month.

Now, there are creative ways to solve these problems but the bottom line is that the "6 days a month, period" at an AETC base makes it MUCH more difficult for a TR to meet the contract. You will not be able to make it work every month, resulting in one of the two ugly options above.

I can only answer for Laughlin, but most guys (obviously) commute.

 

[c5driver]

Thanks guy's! Just seeing what other options were out there.

 

[TR4A]

If you are not looking to make much money or fly but want to stay in the reserves consider a CAT E job (Points only).

Civil Air Patrol Reserve Assistance Program CAPRAP

Academy Liaison Officer ALO

Work out of you house, flexible schedule, no mandatory drill, not deployable.

 

[FastCargo]

How to average 6 days a month...

When I was at Del Rio, I used to do this...

Average 6 days a month over a quarter.

1 month of 5 days (M-F)
1 month of 6 days (M-F plus Sat MUTA)
1 month of 7 days (M-F plus X-C)

It IS possible...just difficult. Also, I was 3 hours away from my home by car, so if I needed an extra day to make it, I could drive out butt early in the morning, fly twice then drive home. Long day...but still only about 12 hours total.

Now, some things that helped me out...my flight commander is VERY understanding, I only lived 3 hours away in San Antonio, and when I was there I would trip turn as much as I could. Hey, I loved my flying down there...plus what else was I going to do in Del Rio away from my wife (you pervs don't answer that ).

Your results may vary.

Fly safe!

FastCargo