Am I eligible for the Pilot Bonus?

[unoi]

I am a Air Force traditional reservist pilot with 15 years of service. I may have an opportunity to get a 4yr AGR position. Would I be able to get the Pilot Bonus? If so, how much is it per year? I also fly for a Major Airline that might be giving me a big pay cut or furlough in the near future. The AGR position would give me a promotion in rank and steady income for 4 years while my airline gets itself figured out.

Thanks

 

[dudemize]

I'm pretty sure that as an AGR you would not be eligible for the bonus. I do think that the AGR would be a great deal for you (even without the bonus). There were about 4 or 5 guys in my squadron that went back on active duty, 3 were furloughed and the other 2 weren't but they didn't want to be the junior man bitch boys at their respective airline. I don't think they got the bonus. It actually worked out perfectly for them. Get off active duty, get your seniority number, go back to active duty and get the 20 year retirement, then back to the airline.

 

[AlbieF15]

Most AGR positions ARE bonus eligible. That means about 125k at the O-5 level, 110-115 as an O-4 (not counting tax advantages, etc etc) which is much better than some of the post giveback pay rates for guys who are at struggling carriers.

We have 2 f-lo'd UAL guys in my unit, both of who got the full bonus. There may be state/unit restrictions on which positions are bonus eligible, but my understanding is that if you meet the gate requirements you are good to go. I'm pretty darn happy playing part time fighter pilot/part time airline guy, but there is a very good case for going back full time if/when you get the chance if you are reasonable close to an active retirement.

For you guys furloughed or now at the bottom of a list, I predict you'll look back years from now and be glad at how it all worked out. As mentioned--you keep your seniority AND get an AD retirement. You don't have to be furloughed to do this...some guys at FDX have left and gone back and done the same thing.

Best source of good info is your state ANG bureau.

 

[unoi]

Thanks,

I did some research today and It looks like I am eligible. 25K per year for 4 years. Thanks for the info.

 

[dudemize]

Cool deal!

 

[talondriver]

AGRs are eligible. I believe you have to be in a flying billet to get it though.

The first round of AGR pilot bonus' didn't allow incentive to 25 years like the active duty. AFRC was waiting for the active duty to come up with their new bonus plan so they can mirror it.

 

[unoi]

Luckily I will be attatched to my current flying squadron. I think it is the best of both worlds. I will have a steady income, get to come home to the family everyday, and get to take a fly break when I want to.

 

[SpeedBird]

unoi,

I'm finishing up a reserve AGR tour after taking a LOA from jetBlue back in 2001. At that time we had the option to take 25K/yr for either 4 or 5 years or take 15K/yr for 3 years. Even though I am on a 4 year tour I was eligible to take the 5 year bonus and extend my tour an additional year. I went with the 4 year plan since it matched up with my 20 year retirement date. That option might still be available but perhaps not. The program always seems to be a moving target from one year to the next. Looking back now I very happy that I left the airlines to go back and do an AGR tour to get my retirement benefits; hopefully it will be just as beneficial for you too.

 

[dudemize]

I heard rumors this week from higher ups that the bonus is on the way out as the Air Force is starting to get a little heavy in the pilot department. A couple former active duty guys in my unit who were trying to go back to active duty were rejected. Told 'em they didn't need anymore pilots. Get your bonus quick!