shutout390
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Flying-best job ever?
- Thread starter shutout390
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AlbieF15
F15 Ret/FDX/InterviewPrep
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
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Well......
As a fighter pilot for 14 years with a bit over 2000 hours in the F-15, I directed air strikes in Iraq as a forward air controller, flew from 300 miles south of the North pole to Singapore, from Alaska to Florida, to Europe to Turkey to Iraq and Saudi and most points in-between, lived in Europe and absorbed the culture, flew missions over the Western Pacific in places like Guam, the South China Sea, and the Aleutian chain, sat alert with live missles on 3 continents ready to defend whatever line the leadership said was important, watched 2 daughters get an appreciation for the sacrifices of being free, ID'd foreign jets, learned from of some of the best fighter pilots in the world and hopefully passed on 10% of what I learned to other guys, fought Migs and Mirages and Vipers in training over Europe, swam in 3 oceans, got shot at by AAA and SAMs, bet like a fool in Vegas, led Lts and Captains and Majors into combat zones as a mission commander, refueled at dawn, dusk, and midnight over deserts and oceans and tundra, ate exotic foods I've never seen since, taught guys to stay alive when canopies lost pressure or other minor castaphories occured, and then taught a 100 lieutenants and captains the lessons I learned the hard way as they step out the door to start their own adventures. I made dozens of friends I'd walk through fire for along the way, and many of those guys are regulars on my phone or in my email inbox. Alas...a few are gone and buried.
Very happy? Happy is when your football team wins. Satisfied is when you look in the mirror and know you wouldn't trade your experiences with anyone for any money or any other situation. Flying fighters is SATISFYING. Its not easy, its not FUN...but it is satisfying.
As an flight engineer at an airline, I read checklists and wrap water bottles for the other crew members--many who complain incessently about the pay or benefits they don't get they feel they deserve for the hard work of being gone half the month and shooting ILS's to minimums. As a general rule, I sit waiting for my co-workers to retire or die so that I can one day have the chance to make more money or have a better schedule. You don't make friends at the airlines...you have co-workers.
You will have no problem finding an airline job if you want one. Your former job will define who you are and how you view the world...your latter job will pay your bills and your health insurance. Yes you can do both...but I'd keep a reserve job for a few years after you leave if you decide to chase the airlines.
Just one mans thoughts....
As a fighter pilot for 14 years with a bit over 2000 hours in the F-15, I directed air strikes in Iraq as a forward air controller, flew from 300 miles south of the North pole to Singapore, from Alaska to Florida, to Europe to Turkey to Iraq and Saudi and most points in-between, lived in Europe and absorbed the culture, flew missions over the Western Pacific in places like Guam, the South China Sea, and the Aleutian chain, sat alert with live missles on 3 continents ready to defend whatever line the leadership said was important, watched 2 daughters get an appreciation for the sacrifices of being free, ID'd foreign jets, learned from of some of the best fighter pilots in the world and hopefully passed on 10% of what I learned to other guys, fought Migs and Mirages and Vipers in training over Europe, swam in 3 oceans, got shot at by AAA and SAMs, bet like a fool in Vegas, led Lts and Captains and Majors into combat zones as a mission commander, refueled at dawn, dusk, and midnight over deserts and oceans and tundra, ate exotic foods I've never seen since, taught guys to stay alive when canopies lost pressure or other minor castaphories occured, and then taught a 100 lieutenants and captains the lessons I learned the hard way as they step out the door to start their own adventures. I made dozens of friends I'd walk through fire for along the way, and many of those guys are regulars on my phone or in my email inbox. Alas...a few are gone and buried.
Very happy? Happy is when your football team wins. Satisfied is when you look in the mirror and know you wouldn't trade your experiences with anyone for any money or any other situation. Flying fighters is SATISFYING. Its not easy, its not FUN...but it is satisfying.
As an flight engineer at an airline, I read checklists and wrap water bottles for the other crew members--many who complain incessently about the pay or benefits they don't get they feel they deserve for the hard work of being gone half the month and shooting ILS's to minimums. As a general rule, I sit waiting for my co-workers to retire or die so that I can one day have the chance to make more money or have a better schedule. You don't make friends at the airlines...you have co-workers.
You will have no problem finding an airline job if you want one. Your former job will define who you are and how you view the world...your latter job will pay your bills and your health insurance. Yes you can do both...but I'd keep a reserve job for a few years after you leave if you decide to chase the airlines.
Just one mans thoughts....
well said Albie
Being a regional airline guy I have to second what Albie had so elloquently stated before, flying for the airlines is like being a glorified bus driver. It pays the bills, but just doesn't give the satisfaction of a job well done. That's why I too have looked to the military. I am waiting still on my orders, but am excited to embark on my new journey in aviation and the further development of my professional career.
Once again Albie, inspiring words... Well said!
Being a regional airline guy I have to second what Albie had so elloquently stated before, flying for the airlines is like being a glorified bus driver. It pays the bills, but just doesn't give the satisfaction of a job well done. That's why I too have looked to the military. I am waiting still on my orders, but am excited to embark on my new journey in aviation and the further development of my professional career.
Once again Albie, inspiring words... Well said!
spanky2
For God, Family, Country
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2003
- Posts
- 271
What AlbieF15 said ... I spent 20+ years flying the F-16...did all the same kinds of things. My best friends are military / former mil pilots, soldiers, etc. I have returned to the USAF after being f'ed from the airlines. Well said, the difference between friends and co-workers. You can only talk so long about how much you had off last month or how long you held going into NYC. War stories last 4-ever and get better.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Ih8AFYesmen
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2003
- Posts
- 227
As always, nice post Albie! I think an airline job along with flying fast/fun jets such as fighters or white jets on the weekends is the ultimate gig. Most military flying is way more exciting than any airline flying. As for me, I LOVE my airline job. Can you believe it.... I actually have time to spend with the family!!!
I see alot of gungho military newbees on this board. That's great! I would have given my right nut to be an Air Force pilot when I was in their shoes. It's always good to see young and motivated team players. These are the types of kids that made my AETC experience an enjoyable one. God only knows we need quality leaders in the Air Force, and hopefully one of these kids will carry that torch.
Yes.... another long layover in a rainy city with nothing better to do than surf the web.
I see alot of gungho military newbees on this board. That's great! I would have given my right nut to be an Air Force pilot when I was in their shoes. It's always good to see young and motivated team players. These are the types of kids that made my AETC experience an enjoyable one. God only knows we need quality leaders in the Air Force, and hopefully one of these kids will carry that torch.
Yes.... another long layover in a rainy city with nothing better to do than surf the web.
rainman_02
GUCCI
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2003
- Posts
- 47
Here comes the heavy guy...
FLYING IS AWESOME! I love my 100 hours in the Tweet. I love my 200 hours in the T-1. I love my 3-4 hours in the F-16 (backseater for one BFM sortie at Luke and one ground attack sortie with the 137FW).
I love my 92 hours in the KC-10 sim (I get to start flying the jet soon).
I will tell you straight up, I would have loved to picked up a T-38 for Phase III and a fighter follow-on. It didn't work out that way, but I'm still extremely happy where I am now. I would not give up my Air Force pilot's wings for anything in the world...except maybe Air Force Astronaut's wings.
FLYING IS AWESOME! I love my 100 hours in the Tweet. I love my 200 hours in the T-1. I love my 3-4 hours in the F-16 (backseater for one BFM sortie at Luke and one ground attack sortie with the 137FW).
I love my 92 hours in the KC-10 sim (I get to start flying the jet soon).
I will tell you straight up, I would have loved to picked up a T-38 for Phase III and a fighter follow-on. It didn't work out that way, but I'm still extremely happy where I am now. I would not give up my Air Force pilot's wings for anything in the world...except maybe Air Force Astronaut's wings.
AlbieF15
F15 Ret/FDX/InterviewPrep
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 1,764
Go fly the -10 with pride. You are doing a great job and you will have a ton of adventures. Without gas nobody gets anything done...
And..every once in a while...a fighter pilot will promise you the moon, stars, or his first born for that little bit of life you pump out to a thirsty jet 400 miles out over the north Pacific when your destination is WOXOF and the alternate is 300-1 with blowing snow.
Fly safe...
And..every once in a while...a fighter pilot will promise you the moon, stars, or his first born for that little bit of life you pump out to a thirsty jet 400 miles out over the north Pacific when your destination is WOXOF and the alternate is 300-1 with blowing snow.
Fly safe...
DaveGriffin
Registered Self-Abuser
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- Nov 29, 2001
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DaveGriffin
Registered Self-Abuser
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Hugh Jorgan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 2,307
Albie forgot to mention that he learned how to squat to pee... It's an Air Force thing, ya know.
After 20 years in the service I can say all the same kinds of things as Albie...Except I don't squat to pee AND.... I've made some good friends in the airlines as well. You don't have to be in the military to make good friends flying, but being stuck in a third-world $hithole with a bunch of dudes with whom you wouldn't otherwise associate has a way of bringing you closer together than you normally would be at any job. Go fly whatever looks good to you and have fun!
After 20 years in the service I can say all the same kinds of things as Albie...Except I don't squat to pee AND.... I've made some good friends in the airlines as well. You don't have to be in the military to make good friends flying, but being stuck in a third-world $hithole with a bunch of dudes with whom you wouldn't otherwise associate has a way of bringing you closer together than you normally would be at any job. Go fly whatever looks good to you and have fun!
rainman_02
GUCCI
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2003
- Posts
- 47
Mud Eagle said:
Um...
I can fly. I can do many things including advanced calculus.
I CAN'T add.
The actual breakdown is more like this: 64 hours simulator; 28 hours in the cockpit procedures trainer (like a real dumb sim).
I do have to say, it is quite interesting to land something that is 90 some odd feet behind you...or to taxi while sitting 21 feet in front of the nose gear and unable to see the wingtips.
Well expressed Albie! While I am not a Fighter Pilot I did have a few similar experiences in my 20 year military career. I started in helicopters when the SEA Wargames were going on. Flew "Dustoff" more commonly known as Medevac for a tour. Absolutely the most self satisfying albeit crazy mission in the world. Put a 20 year old in a helicopter, flow low and fast in the dark in the mountains to pull some injured guy out and successfully do that without killing anyone in the crew...now that is a trip! Do that hundreds of times in a year....more fun than most could ever have in a career!
Your statement about friends along the way is right on. Some the most professional, dedicated and absolute best pilots have and are doing their thing in the military. I have not found the same comraderie nor dedication to becoming the absolute best on the civilian side. Although I haven't flown with everyone!
Flying is not just flying. Having spent a few hours in a Pitts I can safely say it was the most fun I ever had. My advice to all the pups in this business is to enjoy every moment you have in the air, no matter what you are flying. Soak it all up....it is all better than being an earthbound humanoid, pushing papers somewhere 9 to 5!
Your statement about friends along the way is right on. Some the most professional, dedicated and absolute best pilots have and are doing their thing in the military. I have not found the same comraderie nor dedication to becoming the absolute best on the civilian side. Although I haven't flown with everyone!
Flying is not just flying. Having spent a few hours in a Pitts I can safely say it was the most fun I ever had. My advice to all the pups in this business is to enjoy every moment you have in the air, no matter what you are flying. Soak it all up....it is all better than being an earthbound humanoid, pushing papers somewhere 9 to 5!
Hi please tell me about a career in the military. I believe that passenger jet(c-17) pilots have the best lifestyle. So please tell me about their lifestyles. For example you got your college degree, finished the flight school and now assigned to your squadron. I would like to know what will be your regular week look like?
Most interested if i am to marry when i'm 25. Will i have a free weekend most of the time from friday 5pm to monday morning? What happens if say on monday i am supposed to fly somewhere like to mexico and come back to my base on wednesday, tired. What will i be doing on wednesday and the rest of the week, assuming there is no more flying on the job?
And as for choosing air force bases, can you be assigned to a base where it would be actually a good place to raise a family? I dont even have any place in mind, but i know i wouldnt want to live in kansas or something like that.
Thanks.
Most interested if i am to marry when i'm 25. Will i have a free weekend most of the time from friday 5pm to monday morning? What happens if say on monday i am supposed to fly somewhere like to mexico and come back to my base on wednesday, tired. What will i be doing on wednesday and the rest of the week, assuming there is no more flying on the job?
And as for choosing air force bases, can you be assigned to a base where it would be actually a good place to raise a family? I dont even have any place in mind, but i know i wouldnt want to live in kansas or something like that.
Thanks.
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