Getting Out Plans?

[HoursHore]

What are people doing?

I've dropped my letter, and comitted myself to taking the plunge to the dark side, getting out next June. Have apps at JB, SWA, UPS, FEDEX. and resumes at AirTran, Comair, ASA. Are there anyother options? Being Navy, staying in is not one of them, Haze gray and underway on the USS Neverhome shooting Pointy nose guys off the front doesn't apeal too much. Some Buds are getting hired by those guys which makes me optomistic, but the 4 guys in the SWA pool in my squadron alone is kind of a downer.

Are Mil guys going regionals?. Any body get on with NetJets? Air Tran?
Being new to this forum, it seems like most posts concerning those companies are from the guys who came up the civilian way with way more time than i have.

just wondering. May have to find a sugar mama and bartend til the picture looks up.

 

[Purple Haze]

Sounds like you are doing the right stuff. A good friend went to an Air Inc job fair and was offered a Com Air interview. He was in your situation, so he interviewed and got the job offer. I understand they have a pool of 5-8 months, but when bartending gets old...

#1: Get a reserve job. It will keep you current and it pays.
#2: If you can find any aviation "job fair type" events to attend (Air Inc, Women in Aviation, OBAP, etc), put on your interview suit, carry a handful of resumes, and meet every company rep you can. Make the most of your time by knowing the hiring outlook, so you know which lines to stand in.

Good luck. The job search is long and painful for most -- but worth it.

Purple

PS: CCDisco is right -- it is a huge friggin risk. Make sure before you cut the cord (another reason I like the reserve option). There is something to be said for having a full time job.

 

[CCDiscoB]

It's very, very ugly. You may want to reconsider. In fact, after you spend a few months reading this board you'll be running back to the Navy begging to take you back.

Basically, JetBlue is your only hope unless you know someone, and I mean someone big. JetBlue seems to be hiring Navy dudes.

All the companies you mentioned have thousands of resumes. Being military will not help anymore.

 

[HoursHore]

The reserve job is a no brainer, definately trying to line one of those up for the currency issue as well as pay. Talking to a couple of units.
Mainly wondering about those who are in the process.
Gone to the air inc confernce, going to another in Jan. Pretty helpful.
Mainly wondering what current AD guys are looking at.
Many active AF guys in my squadron are taking the bonus.
Any navy guys trying to go active AF? Know of a couple. What prompted that deciscion?
Being single makes the jump a lot easier, Ramen serves one perfectly.

 

[707 IP]

Gettin Out?

As an active AF guy, I've got all the same concerns as you. I too am planning to get out in June.

As for the sea tour option -- we've got a bunch (8-10) guys here @ Tinker that have come over to the AF. Helos, T-34's, E-6's too. They get a two year contract for the training (I think) and are eligible for the bonus. It's a good option if you want to stay away from the boat and still get a paycheck. AWACS is always hiring.

I'm going to the Air Inc fair in DCA on the 18th. Hope to get something from it. Let me know if you want some Navy contacts. Chi-Chi R. is in training right now if you know him.

See you

 

[holmie]

Dude,
I left the Navy in 93 during the drawdown. Situation was similar to the one now except this one is way worse. The only jobs then were at the regionals and a handfull of guys getting on at SWA and UPS. You should think twice in my opinion. There are thousands of swinging d's out of work now with big time hours all trying to get in the door somewhere. Unless you are well connected the competition is brutal.
One thing you have going for you is that you aren't furloughed and have no # yet. That seems to be a huge problem for all the dudes on the street including myself.
It looks like one of the best alternatives by far is a place like NetJets. Money is pretty good, schedules aren't anywhere near as bad as a regional and you are logging good time in a sector that is booming. While you stay current you can still work on the larger carriers.
I would do the Reserves for sure. It's the only way to survive on first year pay in the commuters if you go that route. Some ANG and AFReserve outfits are willing to take other service guys in so that could be something to consider.
If you do stay in the Navy I don't think you're going to miss much for the next 2-3 years. All the market forecasts are now saying the industry is going to be in the toilet until 04-05. Now that I've cheered you up, best of luck!

 

[FL510GV]

Easy for me to say

I separate in Nov. However, I was fortunate enough to get a reserve job and I head off to training in Dec. That will keep me on Active Pay until the spring and "as busy as I want" past then, while I wait for a civilian job. I have all the apps in, multiple resumes out and an ace in the hole (the G-V), but not a single nibble. The civilian job market is brutal, brutal, brutal right now. If I did not have the reserve job, I would probably change my plans and take another assignment. Look at the SWA Poolie Furloughed etc thread for good people who are getting kicked out of their house for how bad it can be!

Funny how the AF changes their tune on assignments when you put your papers in. Before the paper drop, I was told you'll get what we give you and that's the system, but after my papers, I have had three AF job offers good enough that it made me cringe to turn them down...

I got the Reserve job because:

1) Who I knew in the unit
2) I am living in the immediate area of the unit (will be).
3) Timing
4) Qualifications and AF Record

I am also getting out so that my kids can have stability and roots. Same schools/friends, close to family, etc. I like the AF, it has been VERY good to me and that's why I'm going to the Reserves, but I am at the point in my active career where squares have to be filled that I am not willing to fill. You have to take a deep breath and do what is right for you (and your family).

Good Luck to all. Times will change for the better, again.

 

[CCDiscoB]

HoursHore, you're probably reading these responses thinking to yourself, "yeah, yeah, I'll get a job, because ...." We've all had those thoughts. Heck you might consider yourself a minority, forget it. No type = no job in today's market. Unless you can get on with JetBlue or SWA and that won’t happen, you’re too late. If FL510GV can't get a job with a type rating, what's someone with no type rating going to look like? I’m not trying to sound like a dick, I’m just a little frustrated at the job market.

That's scary, a G-V type rating and no job offers. I would have sworn I saw a few G-V jobs advertised on the Internet. Is it because you are scheduled to go to training? Maybe I won't spend the $$ to buy a G-V type.

I think it's funny how all these Navy dudes are running to the AF. They're finally realizing that if you want to fly, join the service that does the most flying, not the most sailing.

 

[Michael Knight]

HoursHore,

It comes down to availability which is why doing a shooter tour followed by another, get current in the cockpit, tour is not the answer. I agree hiring will be slim for a while but nobody really knows when the next hiring wave will begin. My opinion, Get out of the Navy unless they offer you a flying tour. If they don't offer you a flying tour find a reserve / guard job. Being single gives you LOTS of options. Being a reserve bum should be pretty easy on your budget. Personally I'd try to find one near the ski slopes.

CC,

Are you grumpy?

 

[CCDiscoB]

Just grumpy...not enough coffee.

SWA won't call, I didn't apply. No, I won't be buying a 737 type rating.

I agree, being single will make things very easy.