The_Russian
Low Level Pilot
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2003
- Posts
- 2,574
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Ih8AFYesmen said:My experience is similiar to that of "Seinfeld". I think the cause of having $hithead leadership is what happened in the early 90's, IMHO. Back when I went on active duty, there was a RIF (redunction in force); the AF forced a bunch of people out. The smart ones left on their own with a modest severance pay and the WDs stuck it out. The ones who survived the RIF were usually the ones who could not make it on the outside. Now 15 or so years later, these f**kups are now commanders and are in other "leadership" positions.
Now, I'm not saying the dudes/dudettes who've decided stay in are all WDs. Infact, majority of my buds are still on active duty. Given the state of the airlines, who could blame them.
I had a blast flying in the military and made life long friends. No matter what you fly, military flying is a blast and rewarding. In some ways, they throw you to the wolves, but that's when your learning curve hits the L/D max. That's about the only good memory of the military for me. Now, I get to enjoy my family life and the freedom to just say "NO". No more "yesmen" for me!
May I suggest the guard/reserve? Good luck.
Vingus said:I got out because the future looked alot less fun than my past.
You know, the typical "Gotta make everyone an O-6" carreer path. Less flying the line, more BS desk jobs supervising whiny Es or, even worse, civilian secretaries.
Plus, I spent my last tour in AETC, flying my butt off, but at least I was home every night. Looking at going back to a tanker unit and being strapped to AEF was not my idea of a good time. The above posts were spot on about having a wife and kids sure does change your priorities. As a snot nosed ROTC student, I sure thought the 30 yr AF carreer sounded appealing, but as a 37 yr husband/father of 2, not so much.
Personally, my wife was also getting sick of the constant moves and new friends and house routine. Not to mention the fact that she was sick of living in BFE all the time. Some of us are not from the farm and like city life. Oh, and she liked having her husband around too once and a while.
But I have to say, the airlines does not have the same feel as the AF. You lose that squadron commaraderie that I had, being that I fly with a new guy almost every time. Try to have a nice chat for a 3 day trip then say , "see ya in 6 months". Kinda weird, I must say. I think that this is the airlines dirty little secret. So you focus on the the little things that keep you happy. Like flirting with the cute FAs (I don't touch BTW), making a customer smile or laugh, a good restaurant or hotel on a layover, or your schedules flexibility and days off with lots of family time (unless you commute).
Just my two cents.