oh well...
how much does that save?
The sequestor was to HURT military and social programs. It was not meant to be actually passed.
(or so I hear)
I am curious what social programs have been cut?
I have not seen a one.
But I do not doubt that in the long run it will cost more money to restore the aircraft to operational status and re-certify the aircrews.
Having been in the Air Force....let me detail how the rest of the episode develops. When Sarge and Captain Joe are told about no air operations...for maybe four months. What exactly do you do each day now?
Captain Joe arranges for a golf tournament to be held every single week, with all the ‘down’ pilots now competing. The commander actually lets the guys go at two in the afternoon daily...to golf. By the end of summer....three of the pilots are actually perfecting their game and are considering going Pro.
Sarge? He’s running the new softball league that now has games at 7AM, 10AM, Noon, and 2PM. The maintenance guys are playing at least two games a day. Bowling becomes a big deal....with guys playing a dozen games a week.
Airman Gus? He’s getting a two-hour lunch break. He’s rebuilding a car engine every week over at the base hobby shop and reselling the vehicle for $2k profit.
Major Wanda has lots of free time to roam the officers club at lunch, and hustles up various poker games that consume six to eight hours a week. She’s later accused of cheating at poker and banned from the O-club.
Finally, Marvin...the owner of the motel outside the gate....notices a larger trend of folks renting a room for lunch for three hours with their liaisons.
Saves enough to keep the White Hut parties going non-stop.
Enough for a few rounds of golf, a couple of vacay’s and some more White Hut concerts & parties.