For more Loadmaster info check out
http://www.loadmasters.com/ that is our association web site..(Btw you won't find a FE association, the switch monkeys can't get away from the banana's long enough to start one!) J/K Eng
Here is a FE page to check out:
http://www.2xtreme.net/%7Efekc10/engineer/
http://pub33.ezboard.com/fc130herculesheadquartersfrm2
Here would be another place to ask a few questions since you are looking at Herk’s, there are quite a few active/guard/reserve/retired guys on the board with quite a bit of info.
My .02, I went in active duty as a Load from the get go, I wanted to fly, but the only 2 options (for me) were Boom and Load. Fe’s were/are not usually accepted right in (IE; Pipeline from basic) There is also a few awac’s flying jobs, but they are not usually looked at as “real” aircrew because they have no actual function in the flying of the Aircraft.
Shorefly was talking about crew interaction, and I can only speak about 130 crew’s we had a very good interaction with the front end, both the FE and the Officers, that chaining down equipment in Kuwait on a nice August day usually involved myself (the load) and usually one of the crew, FE/Aircraft Commander/Co-pilot/Navigator and on some missions they all would be back helping. It was a “crew” aircraft we all put something in to make the mission happen. Being a Load (on 130’s) is usually Hot, dirty, busy work, which other people didn't like doing, but I loved every flight, and every hour doing it. If you want more info just shoot me a email
P.S. the whole reason for that multi-million dollar aircraft whether it’s a C-130, C-5 or C-17 is for those college boys up front to get the Load some place so he can do his job!
Praise The Load!!
Fly fast, Live slow
Herkyload1@aol.com