Well shit, fuckitty, G_d-diddly-dammit!!!!!!! Today it was made official.
As you all know COVID-19 has had a huge, negative effect on the airline business. Fewer people are traveling therefore fewer flights, and therefore less work for pilots. Some pilots were on greatly reduced schedules such as I was; flying enough just to stay current. Many others were furloughed, whilst some were offered early retirement, and some were just laid the fuck off with no benefits. I knew it was coming since Friday (hence the severe intoxication previously reported), but today was the day I was officially notified by the company. I have been laid off.
I had planned on leaving the business within the next couple of years. It was my silly idea to retire at 17,520 hours (approx. 2 years), which I was not too far away from. I never wanted to be one of those pilots that keeps working until mandatory retirement. Still, I cannot adequately my profound sadness. I am damn good at what I do, and I genuinely enjoy all aspects of my job. There is the chance I could get rehired when the business returns to almost normal, but that could be a couple of years if not more.
Since my PR in Japan was tied to my job I would have to leave the country. Fortunately an Air Force friend was able to hook me with a job on a base in the Kanto area. It is a shitty low paying job, but it gives me SOFA status (and a post office box to receive shit from the US!). Money is not the issue. Between my military retirement, savings, and investments I don't need a "real" job. The house and cars are paid for, though I will have to put on hold the plan to buy one of the new Toyota Harrier models. My girls are both gainfully employed (not like that, you pervs!). Most importantly I can still support my SB.
So, after twenty three years in the T-37, T-38, F-16, C-17, and the 787 I bring my career as a professional pilot to a close. The only positive to all this is that I finish with 15,069 hours total. Now, let's go get drunk.