An older friend of mine is a retired Marine Corps pilot. He started out in the naval version of the F-86 and at one time had checked out in 8 varieties of Marine Corps and Air Force airplanes.

After 10 years he was shuffled off to the C-130, which he flew for the next 10 until he retired. (He claims the Viet Cong consistently underestimated the speed of a 130 while taking off due to it's size and missed the vital organs. One time he had 99 holes in the rear fuselage and tail. Said he had a great time in Okinawa while it was being repaired.)

Anyway, he credits the transfer to the C-130 with saving his life. He reports the navalized Marine Corps aircraft, especially the naval F-86 to which he was assigned, were notoriously unsafe. He liked the C-130 because they were the first to get the newer navigation and piloting aids, for which the airplane had room. He also liked the duty better.

And my guess that's the perfect career. Hot, fast and dangerous when you are younger, slower, easier and more relaxed as one ages.

arf