The squadron ART position

[Mooseflyer]

Good points from dtfl and BengalsFan. I agree it's largely unit dependent - I've flown with some guys from other units and, like BengalsFan, have heard reports on both ends of the spectrum. I think it's also airframe dependent. In my particular aircraft, our days can be quite long and there is opportunity to earn significant comp time. For example, a few weeks ago I flew a Fri-Sun 3 day stateside trip. If I had been a TR (I'm currently on orders), I would have gotten 3 days of pay. Had an ART been on the trip, he would have earned 4 additional days of comp on the trip, so essentially 7 days of pay. Granted, the TR burning TPs or UTAs is going to earn more than the equivilant of 3 active duty days of pay, but I think my example stands. In addition, the ART would be able to bank those comp days for use at a later date if desired.

BengalsFan - If you don't mind, how far have you looked into the return to active duty option? Is it a done deal? What's your yeargroup? Feel free to PM. I haven't looked into it yet at all, but I figured with the VSA going on, the chances were pretty slim. I don't really think I've quite come to terms with the fact that I'd be doing the same job I was 3 years ago, but with the knowledge I passed up a quarter million in bonus $$ to do it.

 

[bssthound]

It does depend on the unit. Being in dtfl's wing, I can assure you he's not exaggerating. Also, the pay is great if you're a Capt/GS-13 IP. As you get promoted in military rank you approach parity with AD pay. Also, it's easy to burn out since you have to stick around 'til age 55 to retire. All the nonsense you end up bearing witness to by that time will definitely have worn on you. Another negative is that your problem children will hide behind civilian status: "You can't get me for that 'cause I wasn't in military status when it happened." Sorry, do I sound like Stan Eval? Yeah, the hours are long if you're gonna burn all your TPs and get an extra manday or three but you do spend most nights at home. For some guys it's perfect and for others it's a complete A$$PAIN. Please forgive my stream of conciousness style on this one but today I'm too lazy to organize it into paragraph form.

 

[dtfl]

It does depend on the unit. Being in dtfl's wing, I can assure you he's not exaggerating. Also, the pay is great if you're a Capt/GS-13 IP. As you get promoted in military rank you approach parity with AD pay. Also, it's easy to burn out since you have to stick around 'til age 55 to retire. All the nonsense you end up bearing witness to by that time will definitely have worn on you. Another negative is that your problem children will hide behind civilian status: "You can't get me for that 'cause I wasn't in military status when it happened." Sorry, do I sound like Stan Eval? Yeah, the hours are long if you're gonna burn all your TPs and get an extra manday or three but you do spend most nights at home. For some guys it's perfect and for others it's a complete A$$PAIN. Please forgive my stream of conciousness style on this one but today I'm too lazy to organize it into paragraph form.

True. One man's heaven is another man's hell.

 

[JDriver]

10% of the people accomplish 90% of the work

ART leadership piles the workload on the working 10% b/c they know that these folks will get the job done. Hard work and diligence is rewarded with other additional duties.

The other 90% will get by doing as liitle as possible. Leadership mostly overlooks the 90% b/c it will take more work/paperwork than it is worth to get the same job done.

Overall - a really good job, but you cant let the little things eat you apart if you want to make a career of it. Short memories, flexible standards, and watching f-sticks getting promoted becomes common.

dtfl - did I miss anything?

 

[dtfl]

10% of the people accomplish 90% of the work

ART leadership piles the workload on the working 10% b/c they know that these folks will get the job done. Hard work and diligence is rewarded with other additional duties.

The other 90% will get by doing as liitle as possible. Leadership mostly overlooks the 90% b/c it will take more work/paperwork than it is worth to get the same job done.

Overall - a really good job, but you cant let the little things eat you apart if you want to make a career of it. Short memories, flexible standards, and watching f-sticks getting promoted becomes common.

dtfl - did I miss anything?

All I would add is that the 90% work-burden should be shared by ARTs and TRs and BUMs that are capable and want to work...other than that -
Enjoy Fed Ex. I guess this last statement says a lot about "your" ART job

 

[dudemize]

ART retirement

One of the ARTs in my squadron gave me a nice spreadsheet which calculates an approximate retirement income based on data that you input. It seems the opportunity is there for a very nice retirement income if you max out your TSP, civil service retirement, plus the reserve retirement at 60.

JDriver, would you have left your ART job for any of the pax carriers? Just curious.

 

[JDriver]

That is a big negative. Pax carriers offer an awesome career for those who can time their career right. One of the great aspects of the ART job is that it is generally stable. Many have brought up both the pros and cons of the ART world. Both of which I agree. BUT, I am not willing to give up my government cheese to gamble for a better quality of life and earnings potential at a pax carrier. I love flying, but I hate gambling. That is why if FDX did not work out for me, I would have been a career ART.

I am guilty of bashing the ART program too. But when I compare the ART world to the rest of the jobs out there I think that the ART program rates pretty high.

Like I said before, if you dont let the little things eat you apart you will keep your sanity. But when given the choice of FDX or ART......FDX definately without a doubt will be my choice. Other than that....I would have stayed put!

 

[dudemize]

I keep asking myself what will give my family the best QOL, and I keep coming up with the ART job, at least right now. Good pay, benefits, home every night.

I'm gonna keep my airline apps updated, but hopefully the ART job isn't too far away. Of course the last ART my squadron hired, it took 2 years before he was actually on the payroll.

 

[dtfl]

I keep asking myself what will give my family the best QOL, and I keep coming up with the ART job, at least right now. Good pay, benefits, home every night.

I'm gonna keep my airline apps updated, but hopefully the ART job isn't too far away. Of course the last ART my squadron hired, it took 2 years before he was actually on the payroll.

The ART job in our wing would be better if one squadron didnt have 10 crews and the other 2.5. During storm season those 10 crews are needed IF there are a lot of taskings...take 2004/5 for example. But...when there aren't taskings...thy bump into each other looking for something to do, while the other Sqs ARTs bust their butt...and don't ask for much to get done if an ART crew has to go TDY. There aren't enough folks to cover it.
If I were king....it would be slightly diff and I bet J driver would be a little happier. But...I'm not king, nor will I be, I bet.