We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:33:51 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification John, Dusty; This was sent from an aspiring young man who wanted to become a pilot ... a fighter pilot. The response was hilarious and would probably apply to some airline jobs ... especially a few freight dog jobs that see misfit pilots flying all over the world. Anyway, read and enjoy. Mike Sir: I am D. J. Baker and I would appreciate it if you could tell me what it takes to be an F-16 fighter pilot in the USAF. What classes should I take in high school to help the career I want to take later in life?... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:07:14 -0600 Gotta love ya all. This was sent to me by my best bud, a retired AA Captain who spent his last decade with them on great "new shit" stuff even tho' had no degrees from anybody. Proving capabilities over-rule formalities. Said friend is now earning $1,000 a day for flying used planes from one point to another. We mutually have many buds who have done things from flying Alaskan pipeline missions in the 70's, Alaskan Salmon runs and Electra Cargo flites in 70's Zaire (ever eat monkey knuckles?). Only one fighter pilot, F-100's in 'Nam, and he became an AA Captain/Chief Pilot. Cargo rules! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68393 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68393 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:24:56 -0600 Boy, I got all the pilots in a tizzy. All *one* of 'em? Dusty was the only pilot who showed, and I'd say he was more snitted than tizzied. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68382 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68382 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:16:29 -0600 Heehee heee hee.... Boy, I got all the pilots in a tizzy. Thing is, you can't look at being a "somewhat pompous" pilot or "bit of a bully" cop as a bad thing. It seriously does take a bit of attitude to take on either job. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68364 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68364 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:25:18 -0600 Dammit Chief, I'm serious! I do damn betcha Herc formation aerobatics would be fun to watch, in both gigglicious and other ways. I know I couldn't keep a straight face, watching something like that. (while still appreciating the skill displayed, of course) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68351 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68351 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:40:53 -0600 ...and the Herky-birdies look just too-utterly-too in those pink tutus, too... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68348 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68348 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:07:14 -0600 hippopotamus ballet ...]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68347 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68347 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:30:31 -0600 Oh, that reminds me: In a book about the Hercules I read years ago, there was mention of an aerobatic team of C-130s, called "The Four Horsemen." They did airshows and such. It strikes me that one of those could pull some respectable multiple of g, when empty. I'd love to see film of one of their shows. Like hippopotamus ballet, or something. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68344 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68344 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:39:23 -0600 I'm sure that The Armorer is a very sweet, sensitive, and artistic bully. No, really, there are actually some people who need their asses kicked, just to get their attention. As I've often said, the problem is not police brutality, but police stupidity. That is, I don't want Officer Safety to mistake me for one of those people and draw the taser, when just frowning at me and talking loudly would work just fine. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68343 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68343 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:19:04 -0600 Hercules gently flies bye. Cheers]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68336 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68336 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:17:35 -0600 "Dad, when I grow up, I wanna be a fighter pilot!" "Make up your mind, son -- you can't do both." Heh. Even a *rock* will fly if ya can get it going 170 knots... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68334 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68334 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:37:46 -0600 Snerk! The Instapilot turns it into an Info-Op for fighter pilots! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68332 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68332 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:16:46 -0600 Of course, I haven't met too many pilots- fighter pilots or not- who weren't somewhat pompous. Makes me proud to be an aviator, rather than a mere pilot. And, no, Sis hasn't met me. Yet...]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68330 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68330 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:13:05 -0600 After reading this thing, I get the impression that the writer mirrors the attitudes and attributes he denigrates. I'd laugh if it was funny, but this guy just sounds like a buffoon. The LAPES vignette was particularly telling: "We're f**kups and proud of it." Alrighty then. Come to think of it, this may have been ghost-written by a fighter guy who isn't particularly impressed with Herc drivers. Hmmmm... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68326 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68326 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:37:43 -0600 I am *not* a bully, and you better not call me one, or I'll... I'll... oh. Never mind. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68324 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68324 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:34:19 -0600 Hey! I was a cop, once! And your point is.....??? For what it's worth, my Granddaddy was the Chief of Police in a small town, and 1SG Keith did a stint as a cop too. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68323 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68323 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:31:11 -0600 Well, I've known (and still know) a lot of fighter jocks and I must say that most do live down to the aforementioned stereotype. However, when it comes to the troops charged with caring, feeding and arming their high-tech metal steeds, they are usually very generous with their beer, so we learned to ignore the personality flaws...er. quirks. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68320 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68320 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:25:16 -0600 Hey! I was a cop, once! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68317 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68317 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:42:10 -0600 I've found most fighter pilots pompous, backstabbing, momma's boys with inferiority complexes, as well as being extremely over-rated aeronautically. BUWAHAHAHAHAHAA... Of course, I haven't met too many pilots- fighter pilots or not- who weren't somewhat pompous. Got to be in order to take on that job. Kinda like being a cop and not being somewhat of a bully.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68316 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fighters_or_c13.html#comment-68316 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:14:58 -0600