Marine Pilot to Regionals

[Hawker1]

Brand new to the site, and this is my first post.

I'm looking in to going into the Marines as an aviator. I'm wanting some feedback as to what pilot jobs will be out there (regional airlines) after I get out of the Marines as a fixed wing pilot??

I've read about guys getting off active duty and going active reserve to keep up the income. This sounds like a great idea. I know that 46Driver has done this and is now in the Navy Reserves down in P'cola. I am wondering if being a Marine Pilot and the going into the reserves, will I be able to transition over to the ANG? I like a base in particular that is close to home. Now, I know that this is a long ways off, but I just want to know early.

Also, what is the lifestyle as a regional pilot? How many flight hours a month? How many days a week do you fly? I know that's a vague question, but I thought someone might be able to post and example of their own schedule. What's the difference in a Flight Officer's job and a Captain's job? Does one get paid more than the other. Thanks for any repsonses. Semper Fi

P.S. How do you get your own picture (avatar) under your user name? Just curious.

Thanks.

 

[Pistlpetet]

My advice to you is worry about getting yourself through OCS, The Basic School, and flight school. There is enough there to chew on for a while.

If you want to go into the ANG, why not just go into the AF. More Fixed wing slots there also, and then you would not need to worry about flying for a Regional, you would be going right to the Majors.

Pete

 

[Hawker1]

My advice to you is worry about getting yourself through OCS, The Basic School, and flight school. There is enough there to chew on for a while.

If you want to go into the ANG, why not just go into the AF. More Fixed wing slots there also, and then you would not need to worry about flying for a Regional, you would be going right to the Majors.

Thanks Pete.
I have a question about what is considered regional, corporate, and majors? And why would ANG help me go straight into Majors? I'm new at all this, so please remember that. THanks.

 

[Pistlpetet]

A novel could be written on your question about corporate, Regional, Major. Corporate is it's own entity, but when it comes to airlines, just think of the Majors as the Major league (Big Planes and Big Salaries). Regionals are the Minor leagues (smaller planes and less pay).

If you are going to go into the military as a Pilot, and would like to fly for an airline down the road. I would suggest the Air Force or Navy. They have more jets and heavy airplanes to fly. The Marine Corps and Army have lots of Helos. You just have to ask yourself what you would like. There are a lot of aspects to consider when picking a service, but sometimes it is just which one you are lucky enough to get selected by at the time, as the door opens and shuts on thier need for pilots.

I suggest you talk to a pilot from each service. The reason why I said go Airforce or Navy is that those guys tend to just jump right to the Major airlines, do to all the jet time they have. If you are a Helo guy, you will have to fly for a regional first.

An important bit of advice to give you is. DO NOT go and talk to any Officer recruiter, Pilot, Etc. and stress that your primary consideration for going into the military is your airline future. They will eat your lunch. Going thru all the BS of being in the military, takes a higher calling then just wanting to use it as step to the airlines.

Pete

 

[Hawker1]

I'm in no way using the military as a "free ride" to the airlines. Flying is what I love, and so is the military. That simplifies that.

As to remarks about the AF/Navy question. The Marines have a few jets of their own. I know an EA-6b pilot that now flies for Southwest.

What are the airlines looking for? Besides Jet time. I mean, are they looking to see if you flew a bigger aircraft or just making sure you have the time and experience they want? Thanks to any who reply. Semper Fi

 

[Pistlpetet]

The airlines ideal military candidate would be a guy who has flown something heavy, with lots of engines, and has about 2500hrs in such aircraft.

 

[Hawker1]

The airlines ideal military candidate would be a guy who has flown something heavy, with lots of engines, and has about 2500hrs in such aircraft.

What do the military branches (Navy, AF, and USMC) have in inventory of such heavy aircraft with multiple engines? This will be a big decision on which branch I choose. I'm still Bias to the Marines cause it's rich in tradition and in my family. What do the Marines have specifically of heavy aircraft?

Does the AF want a Technical degree from their aviation candidates?

Are Jet pilots out of the picture, or are they stilled preferred over helo pilots and such? Thanks a lot. Semper Fi.

 

[Zulu]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The airlines ideal military candidate would be a guy who has flown something heavy, with lots of engines, and has about 2500hrs in such aircraft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gotta say I disagree with this -- there's just too much of a mix of military backgrounds flying for the airlines to back this up. From what I've seen, the "magic number" is somewhere around 1500 hours of jet or turboprop PIC. Both fighter and heavy guys seem to get there around the same time -- fighter guys because they're logging PIC from day 1, and heavy guys because once they upgrade to aircraft commander they log PIC faster.
The bottom line is that flying any fixed wing military aircraft will get you qualified for an eventual major airline job, so strive for the airframe and service you'll enjoy the most.
I'll defer on how it works for helo guys to those who have actually done it.

Good luck in the hunt,

Z

 

[Hawker1]

Thanks Z.

What's PIC?

I see you've been in the military. What branch and what aircraft did you fly in the fleet?

Can someone find a website that has all the militray aircraft for the AF or USMC? I figured that I should ask you guys since you're ones that have flown them. Thanks. Semper Fi

 

[46Driver]

I am in the middle of re-current ground school - just trying to stay awake.
For Marines: you will go through primary (PCola, Corpus, or Vance). Upon completion you will go: 1) jets (F/A-18, AV-8B, or EA-6B) 2) props (C-130) or 3) helo (CH-53D/E, CH-46E, AW-1W, or UH-1N) . You will be given your specific jet or helo assignment following the completion of advanced flight training.
If you really want fixed wing time, go Air Force. The Navy is changing their force mix to include many more helos. (They are seriously considering putting in a 3rd helo training squadron)
For all intents and purposes, PIC means aircraft commander time.

 

[Zulu]

PIC is Pilot In Command. Fighter guys log it starting Day 1 since they're the only pilot in their aircraft. Heavy guys log it faster once they're aircraft commander due to the higher number of hours they tend to get on a monthly basis.
To answer your second question, I flew F-15s (both A's and C's) for 12 years in the AF.
I'm pretty sure you can find a list of USAF aircraft at www.af.mil

Good luck in your hunt,

Z

 

[AGHerks]

As a former Marine pilot, I recommend that if you decide to go to OCS for the Marines, get through it and then take the 1 year optional delay of getting your commission (I assume they still have that option). When I was an officer candidate, one of my buddies did this to go work on oil rigs in the Persian Gulf (he really did this) and make some bucks.

Take that year and shop around with the other services (Air Guard, Navy, and Air Force). The Marines won't tell you this, but the other services will consider commissioning you directly into their programs without going through their screening processes if you completed Marine Corps OCS. It's a real insult to the Marines to do this, but guys have done it and gone on to fly F/A-18s for the Navy without the 6-8 month delay of The Basic School.

If you decide to go into the Corps, then go out and get your private and instrument ratings. Even better, go down to Pensacola and do it there at the local civilian flight school.
Don't go into Marine Corps aviation looking to fly fixed wing without a little "insurance."

Important Note: My college roomate (a pilot for Northwest back then) tried to talk me out of going into the Marine Corps in favor of the National Guard. I refused, telling him that the Marine Corps was cool and their uniforms looked better than the Air Force.

Eight years later, I left the Corps (having flown helos-not by choice) to fly C-130s for the Air National Guard. It's a much more flight-oriented organization (hence the name) , and it's a much better stepping stone to the airlines. I fly more hours per year as a part timer in the guard than I did on full time active duty. This is the best deal for a guy getting into military aviation and move on to a major airline. The roomate was right.

Marines are great to work with as individuals and as a service, but the Navy and Air Force offer many more opportunities to fly airplanes (and not helos). We have three former helo Marines in my guard unit flying C-130s.

In short, explore your options heavily, and make the best decision. As a pilot, if I could do it all over again I would have gone Air Force or Navy. However, nothing beats being a Marine, except maybe 5 more years seniority($$$) than the next guy at a major airline.

Good luck!

 

[Heloherc]

Like some of my predecessors on this thread I'm a former Navy H60 pilot now flying Hercs in the ANG.

I think you should stop worrying about the airline angle. Yes, I know that is why we're on this website but my point is that if you do well in any aircraft in the military you're on the right track. Of course flying helos makes it more painful but if you've done well there are opportunities to get the fixed wing time. For example, the ANG AFRES have a ton of Marine, Navy, and Army helo guys; nearly 1/2 of the top performers from my sea going squadron got second tours flying C12s, EA6Bs, and E2/C2s; and, of course, nearly half of the primary instructors are helo pilots and I can name guys who were hired with the majors with primarily helo and T34 instructor time. Its still not easy but if you've performed well before doors open.

And of course if you get a fixed wing slot and do well you go to near the top of the heap. But as was stated earlier, the Navy/Marine Corps has a big percentage of helos so even guys who do fairly well can end up in helos.

My second view is choose the service that you want to be part of. Who knows what the future may hold, i.e. Airlines may be even screwed up when you're ready to get out or, god forbid, you medically dq. In my opinion you want to be where you feel you matter and enjoy it most of the time.

There are plenty of great things about flying in the military no matter the branch or aircraft and I congratulate you for looking to get to your ultimate goal by first serving your country.

One advantage of the Marine Corps, and the Navy, that I still wouldn't have wanted to miss was the experience of my CO giving a 24 yr. old Lt j.g., me, a Division of 45 hardcharging enlisted men, 5 knuckleheads, and a Chief who taught me how to run his division.

 

[Hawker1]

I appreciate both of you guys' words of wisdom. It really helps.

I really have concentrated on the Marine Corps and its aviation dept. more than any other.

You guys did answer a question that I was about to post. So, if I were to go into the Marines and fly either fixed wing or rotary, I could still one day be in the ANG? Is the transition from active officer to ANG tough on Marines? I would love to fly 130's for the ANG. How often a month do you meet when you're in the ANG? How often do you fly?

Could you hold an ANG flight position and flying for a regional airline? Is there time for both?

Zulu- I'm also looking into the Air Force. Only because they have more numbers of fixed wing aircraft. I'm a sophomore in college, and there's an AFROTC detatchment that a few guys on campus commute to on wed night. My question to you is. What would be the best way of getting my commission? Do AF aviators have to pass something equivalent to the USMC's ASTB? How does flight school work the AF? How long does it usually take to get your wings? I'll need PRK to be an aviator. Will the AF pay for it, or can I get it now and still be PQ'd for the AF aviation program? Thanks for all the info. Semper FI

 

[mackinhoes]

I'd think about a career as a chicken sexer

 

[Hawker1]

Thanks mackinhoes. I can tell by your user name that you would likes someone to do that. HaHa. Anyone want to seriously respond to my question?

 

[CCDiscoB]

Careful What You Ask For

Thanks for all the info. Semper FI

Stop....you're not a Marine...yet.
So Hawker, why do you want to be a Marine? Seriously. It appears that you are asking for advice and then ignoring it. You keep mentioning the ANG and using the Marines as a stepping stone to get to the ANG. I'm not sure about C-130 units, but for fighter units it is NOT easy to get an ANG position if you are a Marine/Naval officer. ANG units like to hire pilots that are qualified in the unit's airplane.
Are you aware that as a Marine you'll be trained as an infantry officer first? Not quite the desired career path of a future regional airline pilot is it?

As a former Marine pilot, I recommend that if you decide to go to OCS for the Marines, get through it and then take the 1 year optional delay of getting your commission (I assume they still have that option). When I was an officer candidate, one of my buddies did this to go work on oil rigs in the Persian Gulf (he really did this) and make some bucks.

Ahhhh........no. Make some bucks!! YGTBSM. When you're older, you'll regret every year not flying when you were younger. I took two years off to "make some bucks." Now that I'm over forty, looking for an airline job, I wish I had those years back.

I'm also looking into the Air Force. Onlybecause they have more numbers of fixed wing aircraft.

It sounds like a future in the ANG maybe be another reason. I shouldn't be wasting my time

p.s. Don't tell your Marine buddies that you really want to fly for the AF / Airlines. It wont go overwell.

 

[Hawker1]

First off, I would like to thank the ones who responded to my questions in a way of expectance. When I posted this thread, I intended on learning more about the transition from military pilot to a civilian pilot, thus the name of the topic. However, I didn't realize that by asking just a few questions I would get a reply like CCDiscoB.

Since this guy is telling me not to use the phrase "Semper FI' as if he has the authority to do this. Then in the same post he tells me "p.s. Don't tell your Marine buddies that you really want to fly for the AF / Airlines. It wont go overwell." That's funny that I cannot say the phrase "Semper Fi" because I'm not a marine yet, but yet he tells me to not tell my Marine buddies? How could I have marine buddies if I weren't a Marine myself? Riiiiiiiiight.

I didn't post this thread to inflict an argument. I just wanted some simple questions answered. But this is the real world, and there's always people out there that specifically want to stir things up. I haven't even considered the ANG until I found out that Marines could be in it. But, Mr. Know-it-all, tells me to consider my decision since I don't know what Marine Officers go through. I guess you think I live under a rock or something!? Of course I know what Marine officer training consist of. My father was a Marine Officer. The Marines has always been something that I've wanted. I only mentioned the AF cause I was acknowledged (by others that posted) that they had a greater inventory of fixed wing aircraft and consider it based on my wants. But who would want to serve in the AF (I assume your are in the AF since you show that you've flown the F-15) with someone like you? Don't try to be hard and act like YOU yourself are part of the Marines. Just because you didn't want to go to TBS and learn to be a Marine infantry officer first. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a dumb civilian posting a question on board full of the people that I look up to, and you are one that gives this elite group a bad rap.

But like you said, "you shouldn't be wastiing your precious time", so go about your business and be stubborn to someone who is intersested in the same indusrty as you. I forgot that we all are just as perfect as you are CCDiscoB. My Bad. I forgot that when you came to a point in your life where you had a major decision to make about military aviation that you knew all the tricks and knew all the little things that I dont know. I forgot that you were never a beginner but a Professional the whole time.

I do appreciate your advice, and I hope that when I'm 40 I have just a little better integrity level than you (oh wait, that's right. that's something that is instilled in Marine Officers). I hope you catch my sarcasm. I apologize to any who have felt that these few questions were irrelevent and time consuming. I'll just go ahead and end this discussion, for I don't think I will gain anymore from it. Once again, thank you to all of those who responded with diligance and character.
(Better not say "semper fi")
-Hawker1-

 

[46Driver]

Hawker1,
If you carry that attitude into OCS, TBS, or Flight School, you are going to get eaten alive. CCDiscoB did his time on the line, and you owe him the respect he has earned. Although each branch of the services makes fun of each other, in the end, we are all on the same team - I suggest you remember that.
Semper Fidelis.

 

[Hawker1]

I apologize. I ought to have respected your thoughts and opinions CCDiscoB.
-Hawker1-