ANG and regional?

[duece123]

Anyone on this board fly for the guard and a regional? Do you have any days off ever? Are you happy that you fly for both? Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[blzr]

I know of a guy that flies for ASA and the BHM ANG. Not hure how it would affect your schedules with either. I'm sure that if you are junior at a regional, you will be flying most weekends and possably on reserve for a while, so concievably, you will have some tough choices to make.

 

[Slice121]

Anyone on this board fly for the guard and a regional? Do you have any days off ever? Are you happy that you fly for both? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Yes. No. Sometimes. Days off vary, I mil drop alot of trips to get a little QOL. With the crappy schedules at my regional I'm glad I have a guard job because I can manipulate my sched to benefit me. You can go on leave for extended periods of time and still accrue seniority and longevity. It's a great deal overall but can be tiring at times.

 

[Southern Cross]

I spent time with the regionals and was a guard member then later Air Force reserve (both flying positions). My company never had problems with the military requests, however each mil flying unit seems to have a different personality. By that I mean you may find one unit requiring a lot more mandatory type "attendance" events were another may let reschedule to better times for you. And, unfortunately, a change of command can have a large effect of these things also.

I enjoyed the military flying - it was fun to look forward to some different flying for a few days, but there were times where balancing the two was a real pain. However, it's a great insurance plan for the day your airline merges, closes, furloughs, etc.

Seemed to me the guys who were best at it were the ones who were located physically close to the unit - they could go out and spend the afternoon and it didn't require major planning to do.

Hope this helps.

 

[duece123]

when you flew for both did you comute to the guard job or to the regional?

 

[BAT31]

I do both and I can tell you that it is usually a good deal. Your quality of life depends on you. You can mil drop all you want. I always mil drop airline days. Even as a 4th year FO on the 70, I can still make more per day as a Guard Bum.

Also, your guard unit will usually treat you much better than a regional airline. After being pounded by scheduling my first year, I can tell you there is nothing better than calling them and telling them that you aren't working that NAP!

As stated earlier, you also accrue longevity and seniority while you're on mil leave. A nice side benny.

If you are in a C17 or C5 unit you can pretty much work full time for the military (generalization). The money will certainly beat a regional. Let's face it, regionals are crappy places to work, use them before they use you!

Also, if I had to quit one, I'd quit the airline before the guard unit. You still get a retirement from the mil. What does a regional give you?

Good luck.

 

[duece123]

Thanks for the replies. I am about to go to AMS and UPT for a 130 unit. If all goes well (no med DQ’s or don’t wash out) after UPT, 130 qual, seasoning, and a trip to the desert or two, I will probly start firing at the regionals. From what I have heard, it is best to live near your base and commute to the regionals. Like I said before any input would be appreciated. I know I am talking about years away from the present, but I would like to hear about the QOL from some guys that fly for both as opposed to just bumming.

 

[Southern Cross]

when you flew for both did you comute to the guard job or to the regional?

I was local to both, however, my unit was on the other side of a very large city. Getting there was an exercise in patience most days. I think if I could pick my situation I would go with the advise you've been given - better to be close to your unit, especially as a new copilot. At you're unit, you'll be making better money, getting better time(IMO), you'll be able to pursue an AC qual faster and if an ART position comes open, may be able to get picked up for that.

 

[Otto]

All of the above is true and I would definitely agree it's best to live in town with your unit and commute to your regional. You'll love flying in the guard...they treat you as a person, not just some number.