airlines to MIL

[jws717]

I am 21 year old F/O with 4 year degree working for a regional airline that is falling apart. If i decide to jump ship and head for the Airforce, anyone know how long untill i am flying airplanes again. Does anyone think this is a good/ bad idea. I am kinda sick of the airline industry at this point, with all the whining and persitant bad news.

 

[resqav8r]

Airline to MIL

Well, that's certainly an unusual direction .. but then again these times are a changin. Your age is on your side, so it's possible and there are a lot of guys that do 121 while the cash is good and then come back to the safety of uncle sugar. The getting in process will take about a year (tests, boards, etc) if all goes well. And then about 18 months for the training. So probably you'll be flying the line in about 3 years from now. Be sure to learn how to bite your lip because AETC will convince you that you know nothing about flying ... it's part of the system (not sure why ... but it's a lot easier & kinder than 2 decades ago so no worries it's doo-able). Good luck with it.

 

[PlaneStupid]

Sounds like a good idea to me - if you are willing to make the commitment (10 years). When I went through UPT I had an instructor who did just this. He was an excellent pilot and had no problem with the transition. Don't forget to investigate the guard and reserves, they are the best kept secret in military flying.

.02

 

[KCPilot]

I'd say first stay where you are if you like to fly. But if you are looking for that military flying go to the Guard or Reserve. But don't come to Beale since we are converting to the Global Hawk (unless you are looking for the UAV and 1 hour a month in a C-172) despite what the managment says!

Good luck and do you know anyone that is hiring since I'm out of a job in 18 months?

 

[hammer2]

best u don't have clue what your talking about

 

[jws717]

KC pilot, i see fedex in you future, but a few of the airlines are starting to hire. Contenental, Southwest, Jet Blue and soon Alaska. Thanks for the help

 

[VVJM265]

You will be so far ahead of anyone! THe rest will walk into class thinking they are going to walk right into top gun. THen they get in the plane and realize they are just a dumb A$$. But get ready to cut WAY back on you'r flying time, and still think you are the greatest thing ever! THEBEST

Here he goes again....

 

[GaryK]

You will be so far ahead of anyone! THe rest will walk into class thinking they are going to walk right into top gun. THen they get in the plane and realize they are just a dumb A$$. But get ready to cut WAY back on you'r flying time, and still think you are the greatest thing ever! THEBEST

Come on back to bed dear and how many times do I have to tell you to leave these poor pilots alone!

 

[CatfishVT9]

You will be so far ahead of anyone! THe rest will walk into class thinking they are going to walk right into top gun. THen they get in the plane and realize they are just a dumb A$$. But get ready to cut WAY back on you'r flying time, and still think you are the greatest thing ever! THEBEST

The BEAST. What a doofus. Go back to your x-box since you wouldn't make it in the military. Guys like you who think just because they have some flight time that they will smoke the program. Some do. Most don't.

I've seen guys with 2000 hours who do smoke through Primary Training and then quickly wash out of Jets because they couldn't think fast enough above 200 kts. I've seen Harvard grads who crash the simulator with a landing gear malfunction.

Sure some do well, but no one knows which guys will perform until they are in the seat. Until you strap on that jet, you are just another jealous wannabe.

 

[GaryK]

I am not your man lover....This will be reported to the moderators.....THEBEST

Let me apoligize for my wife (THEBEST), she's going through 'the change of life' now and it really makes her cranky sometimes. I think she takes it out on you fine men and women in the military. For that I'm sorry, but let me say thank you for your service and keep up the good work. I know it is a tough calling that not everyone can answer.

Now dear, how about I get you on one of my planes for a nice shopping trip for some new dresses? I'm sure that will make you feel better. When you get back 'little gary' will be waiting for you......you're THEBEST dear.

 

[pilotyip]

Don't fly much

This subject has been gone over a bunch of times; you can do a search. Remember you do not join the military service to fly, you join to serve your country to fulfill the needs of the President by flying. You serve at the pleasure of the President. You will not fly that much in the Military unless you go to a conflict, Although Army WO does stay in the cockpit more than any other service. There is tons of office duties, ratio is about 10 hrs in th office for every hour of flight time In 11 years of Navy Active duty I got 2500 hours, 800 in 6 months during Vietnam, then averaged under 200 hrs a year. I was gone from home for nearly 4 years. There is family separation, I saw my son for about 11 months between his birth, which I almost missed, and his third birthday. If you go into fly, you will have a 10-11 year obligation, which as an officer will include at least 3-4 years of not flying and doing office duties, or standing phone watches at a command center evening and weekends. It is not a lot of flying.

 

[psysicx]

A lot of people say go Guard or reserves.But at least AD you won't have to worry about finding another job.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

I'll agree with pilotyip.... you do not fly that much unless there is a conflict somewhere. I would not recommend going on active duty just to be a pilot, or you'll more than likely be miserable. I really hate this phrase but "you are an officer before a pilot". If you want to "serve" and you WILL "serve", then it's whole different story. You'll have a $hit load of additional duties (non-flying, created work) just so that you'll have some bullets for your performance report. And if you do a good job, they'll reward you by piling on more work and if you don't, then they'll tag you with extremely undesirable $hit tasks. Either way, your flying goes out the window. The only way you'll fly more is if you trade in your family life for extra flying. Call me cynical, but this is what I have seen.

I would highly recommend the guard/reserve gig. Even though you might not have the same bennies as the active duty dudes, flying tends to be much better in the gurard/reserve. In a heavy unit, you can make a living just by bumming. I think it's a little tougher in the fighter/trainer world unless you can get a full time reserve slot. My .02.

 

[psysicx]

What is so bad about AD?

 

[pilotyip]

Ih8, I can tell you have been there and done that.

 

[Keydet]

Having just wrapped up a tour in the Corpus VTs, there were quite a few rumors circulating there--one of which was that they might be looking to contract civilians to fly the primary (T-34) trainers. Obviously, any mention of this possible idea drew the ire of just about every IP down there.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

Pilotyip, you more so than I, but yes...... I have. Due to the state of the current airline industry, majority of my buds are still "serving". There is pain everywhere, but I certainly have no regets divorcing uncle Samantha.