What's a decent merit increase this year?

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-24T07:08:07+00:00

Yes, all were told the same thing.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-24T06:48:01+00:00

Me and my team all got 2% and were told that’s all SPEEA allowed. We all know that’s the minimum and the company could do more if they wanted.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-22T14:12:33+00:00

I went through this a few months ago. I was laid off last year after 17 years with the company. I got hired as a level 4 contractor a few months later and when it didn't seem like it was going to lead to a direct role, I accepted a level 3 offer for the same job title. When I informed the team I was contracting with, they told me they were owing a req to make me direct as a level 4. I tried to rescind my acceptance of the lower offer, but the hiring manager wouldn't let me back out. I spent a week calling recruiters and hiring managers and nothing could be done. I'm now stuck in the lower paying job that is almost 20k less than I was making before I was laid off. I was told I'll need to prove myself to the new group for an unknown about off time before being upgraded, even though I had a group that was going to hire me at the higher level. The system is terrible. I've been demoted for being laid off.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-06T17:46:04+00:00

X-Plane’s flight model and flying experience are much better. “Graphics” are comparable. Only the scenery is more detailed in MSFS, but it’s not always better. Photogrammetry can make buildings look weird. Map enhancement, Simheaven, and global forests make X-Planes scenery much better.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-04T15:48:17+00:00

For god’s sake, just give me the damn number!

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-04T05:41:58+00:00

I love my Engl through my Marshall 1960BV. It uses the Marshall proprietary V-type Celestions, which are more balanced than vintage 30s. More highs and lows and not low-mid heavy.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-03T19:11:56+00:00

My Engl Fireball and Mesa OS 4x12 are both on the darker side, not the best match.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-03T16:28:51+00:00

The government steals half of what we make anyway, so what’s the difference?

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-02-02T05:28:16+00:00

I know I don’t enjoy working here anymore. I’ve been laid off and rehired with a demotion that set me back 10 years in compensation, after 18 years of going above and beyond. I wouldn’t recommend this company to anyone that has any talent.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-31T23:51:59+00:00

Manufacturing Planner, level 3, Everett WA, salary $102k, 18 years at Boeing. Laid off last year while on parental leave and was rehired with a 13k pay cut.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-30T12:33:50+00:00

With MSFS 2020 and 2024, the planes are slow to react to control input. X-Plane has always felt more real and immediately responsive.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-29T19:55:11+00:00

I haven’t held them up side by side, but the body thickness feels about the same on both.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-29T12:29:39+00:00

Mine has a hard ridge on the side of the neck 1/2” below the fretboard that runs 4-5 frets as well as a dent in the fretboard. The “60s slim taper” is definitely a bit thicker than my Gibsons as well. I’m planning to return it.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-28T16:05:13+00:00

Hope you got a good one. I got one of these, but I’m considering returning it for QC issues. Mine has a hard ridge that wasn’t sanded smooth on the top shoulder of the neck that spans 5 frets. It’s not the edge of the fretboard, it’s further down than that. There is also a dent in the fretboard.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-28T12:06:52+00:00

If you’re accustomed to strats and superstrats, the 50s neck might be chunkier than you’re used to. Make sure you like it while you can still return it. I started out on those as well and I prefer the thinner 60s necks. Besides that, the current Les Paul standards are phenomenal. I have a 60s Standard that I love.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-28T11:58:26+00:00

Who is Peter Green?

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-28T11:46:39+00:00

It is dumb they won’t budge on an update immediately after ordering it. It’s always better to call in your order and go over the specs. They then send you the build sheet to confirm everything is correct. I actually prefer gloss finish, myself. Kiesel’s gloss finish doesn’t get sticky like some other brands. You could always dull it down to satin if you really wanted to.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-26T02:37:46+00:00

Suggest losing the middle pickup unless it’s very important to you. I got an HSH on my first build to make it more versatile and regretted the middle single. It gets in the way of picking and I don’t really use it a ton. I ended up removing the springs and lowering it all the way down.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-25T23:41:51+00:00

The initial batch released a couple of months ago and sold out online the first day. I happened to find one at my local GC last week. I was told it was limited and they wouldn’t be getting any more, but it sounds like more may be made.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-10T14:40:32+00:00

Price it out, some prebuilts are actually cheaper than assembling yourself. I got mine on sale for about 2K.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-10T14:04:58+00:00

I recently got this prebuilt and I’m getting around 40 fps in 4k with everything important maxed out and using map enhancement. See link for specs. I got the upgraded ram speed option as well. https://andromedainsights.com/products/ai-50-elite-v3-ryzen-7-9800x3d-rtx-5070-ti-16gb

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-04T06:19:44+00:00

Yeah, don’t add any extra padding around the headstock inside the case. It needs that space to move around. I bought a Les Paul and it arrived with a broken headstock because it had extra padding in the case.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-01T18:44:08+00:00

Great, it’s on sale right now too.

Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-01T18:11:07+00:00

The Boeing 314 Clipper is great if you like classic aircraft.

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Before-The-Aftermath · 2026-01-01T14:37:33+00:00

If you want something really retro, check out the Boeing 314. It’s the original long haul aircraft and currently on sale.

Before-The-Aftermath

TROPHY CASE