Flying-best job ever?

[Hugh Jorgan]

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!

 

[rainman_02]

Holy SH*T! 90 hours in a simulator and you still haven't flown the airplane yet?!

Dang...talk about differences in training. I suppose that flight hour cost has a lot to do with it, but 90 hours in the sim...wow.

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.

 

[cubegirl7]

ah, always dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, but my eyesight isn't good enough. oh, any possibility of taking an f-22 out for a spin?-right!

 

[Astra Guy]

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!

 

[bor0101]

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.

 

[bor0101]

Another question: say you served your commitment in the airforce of 10 years. Can you expect any pension at all after those 10 years? And also i dont mean when im 60, but if i want payments right away? Or if i seperate from the military, i will be on welfare?

 

[RichO]

From the *astard aircraft in the inventory, the mighty herc, you get a little of all sides of the house...not only do you get the AMC layovers in locations like Hawaii, and St Thomas, but you also get to find out what our buddy fighter guys are doing in the tents in the middle of the desert......It's the best, and worst of both sides......of course, the fighter drivers miss out on hauling the bad guys around with "Born in the USA" playing over the loud speaker, as they crap their pants tied up on the floor of the herc......and the microwavable popcorn popping while watching Die Hard on the laptop......(of course, I've only heard about this, I'm always sitting straight up in my seat and ready for anything)....or landing at night on NVG's in a blacked out environment..................just as with any side, there are pro's and cons.....of course when you get your perdiem check after a month in Europe...you'll say, "HMMMM" that is sure nice.......

 

[HoursHore]

[
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?

No Haven't you been watching the news?

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?

Carrying a blue folder around the office pretending to look busy

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.

The surest way to get a station is not want it. The Air Force has plenty of Garden spots like the Forks, Enid, Laughlin, Minot, Whitman, McConnell, etc..

Thanks. [/B]

You welcome

 

[Yahtzee]

albie,

That has to be the most thoughtful, well-written post I've read on this board. Thank you!

Yahtz

P.S. Being an IP in the T-1 is without a doubt the best flying job I've ever had.