Airline to ANG question

[BoilerUP]

Hello everybody, I have a question I was hoping I could get some advice on.

I'm graduating college in May 05, and I believe I will be competitive for a regional airline position after graduation. Until then, I have applications out to the 123rd and 130th Airlift Wings of the ANG for C-130 pilot positions. I also have been talking with the ANG unit in Nashville about possibly enlisting as a Weather Observer (don't have enough meteorology credits to qualify for Weather Officer) and then going to OTS after about five years of enlisted duty.

I was wondering if anybody knew what federal law and union contracts said about somebody who leaves a job for military service. I know if you are already in the military, they have to keep your job for you - I'm curious if they (being the airlines) are required to do that if you get hired as a civilian and join up after a few months or years working for them.

Any insight on this process would be highly appreciated. Also, if you know any other ANG wings looking for pilots other than the 123rd and 130th, that info would be appreciated as well! Thanks!

 

[JohnnyP]

Some Reserve unit options.......

Give a call up to Grissom, about an hours drive north of Purdue. They are flying KC-135's. I can give you a lot more info on them, just PM me and ill get you names and phone numbers of the people you need to be talking to, etc. If your interested in flying tankers ive got some more bases that recently have been interviewing for pilot slots.

 

[JohnnyP]

BoilerUp check your PM's, sent you some info. Sorry about the hard to read long page of blocked up text..........

 

[Slim]

Your status when hired by an airline is irrelevant.

Federal law doesn't specify which comes first...your military enlistment date or your civilian date-of-hire. At my first airline, I enlisted after over two years of employment. My job was protected.

Good luck...fly safe...send some rounds down range for me!

 

[Foties]

Go Guard but if you can finish airline training first, even better.

Hey bud,

I had a guy in my pilot training class that was a regional pilot and had a pilot slot in the guard in TN. Look up USERRA on google to find the laws. Also know that ailrines cannot do anything with regard to military service. My friend just got hired by this regional, he told them he needed to take mil leave for 2 years for pilot training. He finished Pilot training and had to take another 2 years of mil leave due to an activation from the war in Iraq. Long story short this guy seems to have agreat deal. He is making 4-5 year pay at a commutter, about to upgrade to Captian, and still is able to take mil leave on a regular basis to stay current and fly with the guard. Sounds like agreat deal to maintain bennies, jumpseat, when you can and still serve your country when you can if your a patriotic lad. Goodluck bud,

40's

 

[BluDevAv8r]

Hey bud,

I had a guy in my pilot training class that was a regional pilot and had a pilot slot in the guard in TN. Look up USERRA on google to find the laws. Also know that ailrines cannot do anything with regard to military service. My friend just got hired by this regional, he told them he needed to take mil leave for 2 years for pilot training. He finished Pilot training and had to take another 2 years of mil leave due to an activation from the war in Iraq. Long story short this guy seems to have agreat deal. He is making 4-5 year pay at a commutter, about to upgrade to Captian, and still is able to take mil leave on a regular basis to stay current and fly with the guard. Sounds like agreat deal to maintain bennies, jumpseat, when you can and still serve your country when you can if your a patriotic lad. Goodluck bud,

40's

I agree with my bud Foties...get your airline job FIRST...then go to UPT. We have a guy at XJT who flew for a year, went off to UPT and then flew A-10's active duty for 3 years before finally coming back to XJT. When he came back, he was on 5th or 6th year pay and a Captain. Great dude too.

When he came through training, he had a girl in his class who was his age...and a "Guard baby" too. Difference is...she was a new hire...he was on 6th year pay...and they each were in the military the same amount of time - he just accrued longevity for 5 years.

-Neal

 

[Sarka]

I know there is a ANG C-130 unit in Mansfield, OH but I don't have any contact info or anything. Sorry.

 

[BoilerUP]

I didn't know that you continued to gain longevity (and longevity pay) while on military leave. That does make for a good deal! I did know of a turboprop captain a couple years ago that got hired on at CHQ, finished training and flew the line for a bit then took a couple years of voluntary military leave. He figured he would make almost triple the money he would as an FO, and when he returned he would be ready to upgrade.

I appreciate the help and comments everybody!


-BoilerUP

 

[PurpleInMEM]

This will go over like a fart in church, BUT...

....it's a crappy deal for those of us without the military gig. Those months that these guys miss have to be covered by someone...increased reserve utilization, excess overtime, etc.

If you wanted to be a fulltimer then go active duty, you're shafting your fellow pilots otherwise.

Now I'm sure someone will throw the flag in my face (again) and tell me that they're serving our country, blah blah blah. Here's the truth, at least the way I've heard it personally from several guard guys at FedEx. "I'm going to take mil leave over Christmas and New Years so I can be home".

So much for the "defense of a nation" theory, these guys are just using the guard to end-around being junior. Personally I wish they would change the law where only hard activations were covered and guys couldn't just blow off work at a moments notice. Guess that will never happen now that fukin bush keeps us mired in Vietnam....err I mean Iraq.

 

[BoilerUP]

....it's a crappy deal for those of us without the military gig. Those months that these guys miss have to be covered by someone...increased reserve utilization, excess overtime, etc.

Without being on the inside, I would think it would be better for the pilots of an airline - increased reserve utilization means pilots actually get to fly instead of sitting on their bums, pilots can fly overtime and make more money, and possibly those reserves get lines faster and more pilots need to be hired. I'm sure I'm missing something though, so don't flame too much...

As far as that CA I was speaking of, I must admit at the time his ethics seemed a bit skewed to go about it that way. I'm not necessarily looking for a free ride; I'm just looking to see if I can have my cake and eat it too.

Thanks for your POV though - the point is well taken!

 

[Spur]

Purple. Wow. I'm was wondering where the infamous 1% at FedEx was, been here over 3 yrs and now I've found at least one of you. Thankfully I've never met anyone with your attitude in those 3 yrs. But Im glad your here and not in the Military anymore.

BTW take a look at BoilerUPs avatar... he's talking to you.

 

[SWABUM]

I have been thinking myself of joining the air guard or army guard. Going for that age waiver, somebody has to be that 2%. I have a couple of questions being a pure airline guy. What is the pay your first 2 years while in training and during your drill weekend? What are the schedules like while in training? How is life with a family while in training? What air guard or army rotor units are in Florida or Puerto Rico? Any A-10 units in Florida and if so are they hard to get into? Will being an airline guy help you get a slot?
Any input would help, just trying to learn as much as possible about what to expect. Also any thoughts on taking a leave from SWA to pursue the guard.
Thanks guys!

 

[PurpleInMEM]

Oh I'm sorry Spur

I wasn't aware that I'm not allowed to express an opinion about guard/reserve pukes cherrypicking MLA time to adjust their schedules. Noooo...no one here does that!

Such naivete is scary.

 

[chawbein]

Yeah! What he said! Don't you know that if you are in the Guard or Reserves you're not allowed to have a job?!?!?!?!? If you want to still be in the military, you should go back to active duty, who needs Reserve forces anyways.

 

[SWABUM]

Anyone? Don't make me quote myself.

 

[chawbein]

Sorry dude.

Age waivers are hard to come by, especially if you are not prior service. They have to be approved by the Air Force Chief of Staff. Some units will work with you, some won't. Your flight time will not be a hinderance to getting selected, but it's all about what kind of attitude you have. Much of Guard and Reserve is choosing someone who will fit in well, who will be fun to go on a trip with. As far as all the training...the Guard goes to AMS (6 weeks), the Reserves go to OTS (12 weeks). Undergraduate Pilot Training is about 54 weeks. During UPT you will get base housing for you and your family if you so choose. You will be paid 2nd Lt. pay (about 2000/month). After UPT the timeline can vary depending on what airframe you are in.

 

[Jagdflieger]

....it's a crappy deal for those of us without the military gig. Those months that these guys miss have to be covered by someone...increased reserve utilization, excess overtime, etc.

If you wanted to be a fulltimer then go active duty, you're shafting your fellow pilots otherwise.

Now I'm sure someone will throw the flag in my face (again) and tell me that they're serving our country, blah blah blah. Here's the truth, at least the way I've heard it personally from several guard guys at FedEx. "I'm going to take mil leave over Christmas and New Years so I can be home".

So much for the "defense of a nation" theory, these guys are just using the guard to end-around being junior. Personally I wish they would change the law where only hard activations were covered and guys couldn't just blow off work at a moments notice. Guess that will never happen now that fukin bush keeps us mired in Vietnam....err I mean Iraq.

Did you get riffed or something? Passed over for Major? Get sent to Minot for too long? Are you management at FedEx? Flew T-41's at the Academy your whole career? Why the anger.

The Reserves and Guard are an asset to this nation in both times of peace and war. I build my military flying around my airline schedule but if something comes up, then hell yeah I take mil leave to go fly. I have not used mil leave to have Christmas or New Years or any other holiday off. I take that back, I did have mil leave on Memorial Day! I flew that day...into Baghdad. If there are guys out there abusing the system, then call them on it. Do not condemn the whole lot fo them for what a few do.

You are right in saying that you are entitled to your opinion, but you threw the whole bunch into your condemnation..not cool. It would not be unlike me saying that all FedEx pilots are turds because they think mil guys are slackers. (I do not think that, just trying to make a point) Pretty unprofessional.

 

[Jagdflieger]

Boiler, I am in the 123rd but not as a pilot. I am an enlisted dude (Loadmaster) and also fly for the regionals.

If you really want to go the enlisted route, get into a flying type job: Boomer, FE, Loadmaster..gunner. You will get to know the crews, the environment you will be flying in, the lifestyle, the airplane, the unit, and last but not least..the folks on the board that does the selection!! We have had a lot of guys and gals taken from within and they (KY) prefer to do it that way. In fact, the last board selected nothing but insiders. One I know was a Loadmaster.

Plus, if you realize this is not the life for you, you have four years and your are out! If you are digging it, apply for a pilot slot after a few years and off you go. One word of advice; if you choose to follow the enlisted route and get into a aircrew slot, do your job like it is the only thing you will do for the rest of your career! Guys that are just passing through and act like it, they get noticed. If you want to be a pilot, there is no harm in letting someone know. Just do not be "passing through". Excel as an enlisted guy and you will stand out and get noticed and may be asked to apply for a UPT slot!!

The 123rd (actually the flying squadron is the 165th AS) is looking for Loadmasters. If your interested, I will put you in touch with the Chief.

Do not forget, we are right next door to UPS. Oh..you can also have all your Christmas' and New Years off....just use Mil leave as your excuse.

Hello everybody, I have a question I was hoping I could get some advice on.

I'm graduating college in May 05, and I believe I will be competitive for a regional airline position after graduation. Until then, I have applications out to the 123rd and 130th Airlift Wings of the ANG for C-130 pilot positions. I also have been talking with the ANG unit in Nashville about possibly enlisting as a Weather Observer (don't have enough meteorology credits to qualify for Weather Officer) and then going to OTS after about five years of enlisted duty.

I was wondering if anybody knew what federal law and union contracts said about somebody who leaves a job for military service. I know if you are already in the military, they have to keep your job for you - I'm curious if they (being the airlines) are required to do that if you get hired as a civilian and join up after a few months or years working for them.

Any insight on this process would be highly appreciated. Also, if you know any other ANG wings looking for pilots other than the 123rd and 130th, that info would be appreciated as well! Thanks!

 

[PurpleInMEM]

Did you get riffed or something? Passed over for Major? Get sent to Minot for too long? Are you management at FedEx? Flew T-41's at the Academy your whole career? Why the anger.

The Reserves and Guard are an asset to this nation in both times of peace and war. I build my military flying around my airline schedule but if something comes up, then hell yeah I take mil leave to go fly. I have not used mil leave to have Christmas or New Years or any other holiday off. I take that back, I did have mil leave on Memorial Day! I flew that day...into Baghdad. If there are guys out there abusing the system, then call them on it. Do not condemn the whole lot fo them for what a few do.

You are right in saying that you are entitled to your opinion, but you threw the whole bunch into your condemnation..not cool. It would not be unlike me saying that all FedEx pilots are turds because they think mil guys are slackers. (I do not think that, just trying to make a point) Pretty unprofessional.

Wow, such sanctimony.

"Pretty unprofessional."

Now this I'm not sure about. What does my opinion have to do with me receiving compensation for a service I provide?

 

[GCD]

Boilerup,

Federal law requires an employer to keep your job open for you to return to for an accumulative of five years, whether the service voluntary or not. This five year accumulation has been waived, by Presidential order, for time served in OIF or OEF.

All recruiters will try to convince you to do an enlistment, saying that you can apply for OCS or OTS after your first enlistment. If that's what you want to do, fine, but it's really a come-on to get their numbers. Most recruiters have no clue if you can really do that or not, they just have the script memorized to get their numbers of recruits.

Right now, to get a pilot training slot in the Air Force, you need a technical degree in engineering or simular field.

If you want some straight information, there are folks at www.aptap.org who can help you with these questions.