Airline to ANG question

[Jagdflieger]

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

I am not sure this is the case. I have not heard of this requirement.

 

[chawbein]

You do not need a technical degree to get a pilot slot. Any degree is good as long as you have a solid GPA, but even that can be overcome. The bonus about the Guard/Reserves is you can have not-quite-as-stellar a package as an AD dude, but if they like you and think you'll fit in they'll sponsor you. That sponsorship carries alot of weight when the selection board comes around.

 

[GCD]

Maybe you guys know better than I do, but I was told that by an active duty AF Officer Recruiting Officer. Maybe he is mistaken. As far as Air Guard, with prior service, just about any four year degree will do.

 

[BoilerUP]

Wanted to bump the thread up!

A big thank you goes out to everybody who offered their advice and wisdom via this board and via PM. I interviewed with a unit Saturday 12/4 for a Nav slot and found out Tuesday 12/7 that I was selected...for a Pilot slot! I was so excited I could barely contain myself. I already had the AFOQT from my ROTC days, and I took the BAT test yesterday (PSCM 99). All I have left is to interview with the Wing Commander and pass the medical/physical, which I am confident (hopeful?) about.

Thanks again to everybody. Hopefully I'll see you out there in the not-too-distant future, whether it be in a drab flight suit or a black/blue airline uniform.

 

[pkober]

SWABUM,

I'm one of those horrible ANG/Airline (furloughed) guys.

Hey purple, there a always cases of people abusing Mil Leave (Christmas, etc.) but also remember that alot of Guardsman have died in Iraq/Afghanistan, including one from my unit. So maybe you could tone it down. Also plenty of airline pilots abuse certain privledges, I.E. Union reps kicking other pilots off the jump seat so they can go on an "official" union duty trips with golf clubs.

Back to the question.

During training, ANG only, you would be a 2nd LT and make about 3200/mt gross. After about two years you would get promoted to 1st LT. You would probably be on active duty for 2 years, give or take, during training. After that you would become a traditional guardsman and work about 6 days a month. Divide base pay by 30 and that is your daily pay.

There is one guard unit in FL (Jacksonville, F-16) and one is PR (San Juan, C-130). FL does have a few reserve units also. If your looking to fly though I wouldn't limit yourself to just one state. Call as many units as possible. You can get phone numbers by doing a google search.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Good luck.

CLAMBAKE

 

[chawbein]

Congrats! The physical is a long process, patience is key. Don't get too worked up over the actual physical, I did and had to go get a 5-day blood pressure check. That sucks if you don't have a lot of extra time.

 

[bssthound]

The Air Guard unit in Jacksonville, FL flies the F-15.

There is a AF Reserve unit at Homestead flying the F-16. There is also a Reserve unit at Cocoa Beach, just north of Melbourne, flying Rescue C-130s and Rescue Helos. The other Florida AF Reserve unit is at Duke Field, just north of Eglin AFB, flying Special Ops 130s.

 

[HueyPilot]

I couldn't stand the attitudes I got from folks like PurpleinMEM...I flew Hueys for the Louisiana Army National Guard, and we had semi-annual flying requirements to fullfill. My employer did not play by the rules.

I had to take time off of work with no pay to meet my Guard commitment. And even then, I got harrassed by my management that insinuated I was trying to duck work to "go have a good time". On a number of occassions I was told outright that my participation in the National Guard was "holding me back".

I tried to change jobs (I was a geologist), and got hired by another company after a few years. AFTER I put in my two week notice, they called me back and told me they decided NOT to hire me because my Guard service was "incompatible" with them. So I wound up going back to my old job, and the boss there was keenly aware of my lack of loyalty (although they could have fixed that themselves).

THAT is really how I wound up going on active duty. I think that the airline industry should receive KUDOS for supporting the Guard/Reserve folks the way they do. If everyone at the majors or regionals had the attitude of PurpleinMEM, the Guard/Reserve concept wouldn't work. I know from experience.

 

[spanky2]

Purple,

Do you like cheese with your whine? You sound like a Kerry-man, sorry your vote went to waste, let me get you a tissue. Maybe you can ALPA to pay disability for you to join one of those post election stress disorder sessions...ooops, somebody would have to cover your missed trips.

 

[b747dogg]

What ever you guys do for your reserve and guard duty you deserve it. You guys didn't make the rules, so there is nothing wrong with abusing the rules.