Major vs Regional Dilemma

[coho92]

Find a guard or reserve job and bide your time till a major or your airline of choice calls. I spent just over two years as a bum, made more money than on AD, had health care thanks to long term orders and had a pretty good time. The guys who come up the hard way (CFI, regional, 135, cargo, etc.) have to work way to hard for no pay. Also what is worth more, heavy mil PIC flying combat and global missions or 121 SIC in an RJ. My interviewers have pretty much said they liked the PIC/EP status and thats what gets you the call. - Just my two cents, not trying to start a flame war, the civilian guys work way too hard earning their PIC time and ratings compared to the nice salary and time off that the mil guys get

Peace out

 

[semperfido]

You won't be faulted for trying to better yourself while taking care of your family. Taking new jobs in that pursuit is acceptable as long as you don't seem fickle. Your plan seems sound.

 

[trip]

Stay in the reserve and get a job that has nothing to do with the airlines-major or reg. You will not regret it.

 

[HoursHore]

Just keep flying.

If you are not retiring, definitely get a reserve/guard job.

Go to a regional, suck it up if you need to. Travel bennies are nice, insurance isn't bad. Keeps you busy as well.

Keep networking. You will get your opportunity. There is no penalty to leaving a civilian job after a short amount of time, just be honest with your employer when you get your opportunity.

 

[Creamer]

Thanks for all the great professional advice! It sounds like the majority agree it will not hurt my chances with the majors if I fly for the regionals for a stint. The pay stinks, but the insurance is descent and I think it would be a blast for a while. My hat is off to the civilian guys who work their arses off just to get to the regionals and would be happy to fly and learn from them.

I am pursuing the reserves to keep the heavy IP/EP time coming as well as the cash, but they don't offer medical insurance unless I'm activated or full-time. My local reserve units in the KC-10 are 130% manned so a job there is not as automatic as many think.

 

[grinder]

If you aren't getting RIF'ed or something, you should probably stay in for a two year flying tour if possible. You'll (We'll) probably have a better perspective on the industry at that point. Guard/Reserves are great, but there are lots of fuloughed guys sucking up the drills now, so the cash is better on AD plus you get retirement points if you ever plan on taking it that far not to mention the health bennies. The pay on AD is also probably better than you'd get starting a job in a new career as well. FO pay at a regional is < 20K and you don't really need the right seat time. Just my perspective having done all of the above:

Active Duty, Regional/Reserves, Major/Reserves, Furlouged/Reserves, Real Job on furlough 1/Reserves, Real Job on furlough 2/Reserves. The FTS guys still get paid better....**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**!

 

[BoilerUP]

Could you possibly train for another airframe? If the KC-10 isn't an option, perhaps the C-17 or C-130 or KC-135? It seems a bunch of ANG units are looking for pilots, with the high tempo these days.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

How about a double dip with a twist?

Thanks for all the great professional advice! It sounds like the majority agree it will not hurt my chances with the majors if I fly for the regionals for a stint. The pay stinks, but the insurance is descent and I think it would be a blast for a while. My hat is off to the civilian guys who work their arses off just to get to the regionals and would be happy to fly and learn from them.

I am pursuing the reserves to keep the heavy IP/EP time coming as well as the cash, but they don't offer medical insurance unless I'm activated or full-time. My local reserve units in the KC-10 are 130% manned so a job there is not as automatic as many think.

Get a regional gig and a slot in the guard/reserves. Then after IOE at the regional a 100 hours for comfort, pick up as much reserve flying as possible for better money while gaining senority at the regional. Better yet, go active duty for a year or two and then come back to the regional to upgrade. I've seen it done, even at the majors for the first year on probation pay and skip the whole reserve schedule. Second year pay is better and the senority is good enough to hold a hard line. Plus more points towards the military retirement.

 

[white E]

Boilerup - I am going to stir the pot on this a little bit. Someone who is military trainined will meet and exceed any 121 flying task that they are handed. That is all I am going to say about that. You obviously don't know what we really do.

Creamer - having been on both sides of the fence. Do what you need to do, but let me warn you of a few things. If you end up at a regional, you are going to be dissappointed. Well, at least at a few of them. I have worked with a regional for awhile and let me tell you it is a mickey mouse organization. I would lean towards the guard/reserve job for a little security if you end up getting furloughed from a major...oh you will be hired by a major and I would set my goals towards . whatever you consider the top 3 or 4 .

121 flying will challenge you, but it isn't cause the wx is bad, the passengers are pissed, or management sucks. It is because it is so **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** regulated that you will have to study all the time to keep from being violated.

 

[plattsburgher]

I am pretty sure that if he retires he can't get an ANG/Reserve job and if he already has the points for an AD retirement the ANG/Reserves won't take him because they will have to pay it instaed of AD.

 

[BoilerUP]

Boilerup - I am going to stir the pot on this a little bit. Someone who is military trainined will meet and exceed any 121 flying task that they are handed. That is all I am going to say about that. You obviously don't know what we really do.

You are taking one part of my statement out of context. There is nothing magical to 121 flying, and I have absolutely ZERO doubt as to the high skill and professionalism of a military aviator. However, many people who have toughed it out in the civilian world will have no sympathy for a military pilot who doesn't get that highly desired major job right away, especially if they had to slug it out in crappy equipment in crappy weather as the PIC. That is the point I was trying to make without inciting a civvy vs. military flamewar, which has occurred on this board in the past.

I'm coming from the civilian world into the military world soon, and yes, I DO have alot of learning to do. I'm fortunate I have many people's advice to draw from in making my transition (including this board), and I hope that some of my insight may be useful to somebody going the other way.

Regards...

 

[Snake]

Boiler Up;

I agree. Having flown both civilian and military, I would have to say for the most part that Military pilots are better trained and mentaly equiped to handle anything the airlines have to offer. A civilian pilot fresh out of college and with a regional as a new hire does fly nice equipment and is trained in the state of the sims, but the pressure a military pilot faces is far more intense than that of a civilian anyday. Most civilians have not been grounded for being unable to answer a BOLD FACE item correctly. I am not trying to degrade anyone, just stating what I have seen. Military instructors are better trained than "Geir" from Norway here to "Tish you how to fly the ensturments".

 

[viking737]

Military instructors are better trained than "Geir" from Norway here to "Tish you how to fly the ensturments".


So what is it you have against Norwegian pilots, then?

 

[Steeler Fan]

Not flying looks a lot worse than going from a nice place to the place you want to be. Provided you sell yourself well in the interview the Regeonal flying will be a plus that will give you an edge vs the other Mil guys who are off for a year or more.

Great point!

Even if your last assignment is a desk or a non-flying remote to Korea or Iraq, find a way to fly, evn if it means renting time while on leave.

Thanks for your patriotic service and happy hunting.

 

[Steeler Fan]

Stay in the reserve and get a job that has nothing to do with the airlines-major or reg. You will not regret it.

Are you sure you're not former military and former furloughee? If both your civilian job and your ANG/AFRES unit are close to the house, then it sounds like a great plan of attack!

trip is on to something. Being an airline pilot is not the ultimate goal for you, taking care of your family is. Keep all your options open.

 

[Steeler Fan]

I am pretty sure that if he retires he can't get an ANG/Reserve job and if he already has the points for an AD retirement the ANG/Reserves won't take him because they will have to pay it instaed of AD.

I think he's at the end of his UPT commitment. (vs retirement) Creamer, is that accurate?

 

[Creamer]

I think he's at the end of his UPT commitment. (vs retirement) Creamer, is that accurate?

Yes it is. I've got 14 years in since I was late rated. My last 6 years would most likely be behind a desk with little to no flying (It has already begun). The Air Force needs good folks like that, but I know that is not where my talents or family interests lie. I would also move every 2-3 years further destabilizing my family life. I believe it is in the best interests of my wife and kids to stay put in one area and offer them stability. That could happen if I get hired by a solid major. It is a gamble, but one I've prepared for. I just wish it would happen a little quicker......hence the interim regional job question. It is just not in my nature to work for a company for only a short time and then quit when something better comes along. You have taught me that it is common practice and I'll learn to accept it until the big fish bites and then be loyal to the death!

I want to say that the Air Force has been great to me and I have never regretted joining. I would recommend it to anyone dreaming of a bright future!

Great advice from everyone! Thanks.