JohnMitchell

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Everything posted by JohnMitchell

  1. JohnMitchell
    I've had my share of landings like that, and yes, the PLF is what got me thru them without getting injured (except for my pride).
  2. JohnMitchell
    Oxyacetelyne mix in a garbage bag does a good job too, I've heard.
  3. JohnMitchell
    I was never smart enough to get too stressed out. No, the job had its moments (plenty of 'em, in fact) but hey, look at what we all do on weekends to relax: jump out of planes. I think we may just be wired a touch differently. Like I said, I loved it.
  4. JohnMitchell
    Yep, the FERS ain't as good, but the ATC version of it isn't bad. Part pension, part SS, part TSP with partial matching funds. I joke with my former coworkers that it's been tough. I've been doing tandems in Hawaii and Washington just to make ends meet. If you're smart and pay off your $hit before you retire, and enjoy the simple things in life, it's quite easy.
  5. JohnMitchell
    I was air traffic control with the FAA. It was 20 years and age 50 or 25 years, any age. Our son hired on at age 20, and can retire at age 45 with full benefits. Of course, the longer you work, the higher the monthly pension goes. I worked almost 30 and loved it. They forced me out with mandatory retirement. Sorry you're hating your job.
  6. JohnMitchell
    I need to get out more.
  7. JohnMitchell
    Is that right? I remember years back riding with the SWA crews and they would complain about being the lowest paid 737 pilots in the industry. I guess everyone's pay has dropped to meet theirs. They are also some of the most productive, and I'm not surprised Herb has a profit sharing program for them. He's always been a man willing to cut a deal. Profit sharing is great, so are 401Ks. I'll take a guaranteed pension any day though.
  8. JohnMitchell
    At least they still give you a pension at 20 years. Police and firefighters have a similar program. In fact, it seems only the union govt. jobs have that kind of thing anymore.
  9. JohnMitchell
    Innuendo. That's Italian for @nal, right?
  10. JohnMitchell
    I went to a barbecue yesterday, had a great brat on a bun. I then realized I'm not much into breads anymore. Too much bun, left half of it on the plate. I like your earlier "corndog" idea. I wonder if brats would make a great corn dog?
  11. JohnMitchell
    Practically all of today's companies seem to have their eye focused on return-on-investment, the bottom line. Any wage, any benefit, any pension that can be cut will be to improve that. I appreciate they are trying to maximize returns for the stockholders in a competitive world, but maybe that's where unions come in. Look at the history of coal mining and union activism as an extreme illustration of what's going on, in reverse, today. Southwest Airline's business model was slash pilot pay, promise no pensions, allow no unions, and fill those seats quick and cheap. That business model has swept thru the domestic carriers like a firestorm. The majors reorganized under Chapter 11, slashed all the pay, stole all the pension money, and are doing quite well now. The pilots? Not like they used too.
  12. JohnMitchell
    How many of you have read the article on this in July's Parachutist? I first heard of this effect maybe 3 years ago and it answered so many frustrating questions I had had in 3 decades of working for the FAA ("Why doesn't that person realize they SUCK at their job??") And, like the article asks, can you remember back to when "you didn't know what you didn't know"? And aren't you glad you made it thru that phase? Of course, Wikipedia has a good article on it too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect It all takes me back to one of my favorite quotes of all time: The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. – Bertrand Russell
  13. JohnMitchell
    That's not just business, but how some people act. Your previous boss doesn't seem to value his employees that much. He works on the model of "pay them just enough that they don't quit". Every job is a $hit sandwich. If they give you enough bread, you can put up with the rest.
  14. JohnMitchell
    Oh yeah, that one's not much better, but at least you can hit the slot machines at every gas station. We used to skydive out at Wendover. A whole lot of nothin' out there.
  15. JohnMitchell
    reading a bio on eddie rickenbacker now. SOME FAScINATING STORIES FUCKIN CAP LOC Read his biography at least twice when I was a kid. What a guy, freakin' Indy champ-top ace-CEO. You wouldn't believe it if it was fiction. He lived enough for a half dozen people. Profane and hard charging too, my kind of guy.
  16. JohnMitchell
    Didn't vote on the buns 'cause I like toasted, steamed or plain. I do love a Seattle dog, with cream cheese and grilled onions fresh off the cart when you're leaving the show at 1 AM. Perfect snack before the drive home.
  17. JohnMitchell
    Wow, I thought the 350+ miles of I-80 thru southern Wyoming was bad. Those others sound like torture. Vskydiver and I enjoy driving thru FL, but maybe it's just the company.
  18. JohnMitchell
    Thanks for that link. Great story of when the future of Western Civilization balanced on a knife edge.
  19. JohnMitchell
    Damn. So long, Snake. You sure showed us some fun times.
  20. JohnMitchell
    Good points all. I know SDAZ is 1500'. I don't set policy at my DZ, just go by it. I have done 1000' exits before, but not with an AAD. I'd almost definitely use my reserve that low these days. Door cracked just a foot? I know what you mean, plenty of room for a pilot chute, not enough room for a person. Everyone check your handles after the seatbelts come off but before the door opens.
  21. JohnMitchell
    OMG, that's so funny and sad.
  22. JohnMitchell
    Lot of people have done this, but I don't know if there's much they can do. I hope you heal fast. And practice those PLFs.
  23. JohnMitchell
    Sam's a sweetie. And you guys will figure it out.
  24. JohnMitchell
    I actually have have a home damage case I'd like to collect on, not an auto accident, but I think your advice holds. I don't think my insurance company intends to pursue it, but I'll check with them first. Personally, I'm out $1000 in deductibles plus time and mileage. The latter two I'd be glad to drop, but $1K is a fair amount of jumps and beer.
  25. JohnMitchell
    Paying for an hour or two of good legal advice has saved us thousands of $$$ in the past. They saw things coming I would have never guessed.