Later on in the day the expediter told the swingshift A1C to pop the tires again. He did not, because according to the TO, tires are good for 8hrs. It had only been about 5-6 hrs since the first check. Tires-still good.

Not sure of your background but have you ever "touched" a fighter tire? Short of applying a press on gauge on that sucker, or its incredibly low, a visual inspection won't tell you much.

This is just another example of how a US crew chief can get screwed. Now go up to these poor guys and ask them if they should have signed up for services insted of going in as a crew chief. The USAF is going to hell in a hand basket.. the way I see it you would have to be an idiot to reenlist and collect the same pay as some one with the same rank that washes dishes. I believe they have it right here in Norway.. as alot of the crew chiefs are captains and most of the pilots Lt's... Sad thing is the USAF will never change as it is run by pilots. The quality of ground crew will slowly go to crap as the smarter folks laugh and walk when they tell you what you will be held reponsible for and how low you fall on the pole.

Hey Viper, you still have a sour taste from your USAF time. The Norway thing has been that way since at least 1981. I worked TA at Bitburg then and every week they and at least 2 jets here to do DACT against the eagles. They always had one 2 seater and he was a old Capt. He was the crew chief, spec's guy and everything else, but he couldn't retire until he was very grey and old. Did he like his job? Yes, but he worked very hard for what he has.

Too many out there now don't want to work for what they have, and other's bitch they are not paid enough. You must work hard to progress.