Military Pilots: where will you fly?

[CODs4ever]

For those military pilots who have gotten out recently, or are leaving the service soon, I am wondering where most of you are going to fly/work. I have decided to take a job at a regional airline because I have had no calls from SW, JB, ATA, etc. and I don't feel like drawing un-employment. Thought about Part-135, but I have heard nightmares about the general quality of life there. Corporate flying could be good, but also looks like you are on-call with a pager most of the time.

Any other ex-mil pilots out there making ends meet with a combination of sel-res/drill pay and a low-paying regional pilot job? Your thoughts are appreciated. And no, I have no desire to go back on active duty.

 

[tkr-toad]

Guard/Reserve

You probably already know this but full time gigs at this time are few and far between but pay well. But maximizing your available pay would yield about 45K net. A working spouse or self emloyment can butress that nicely although you won't accumulate hours as quickly as you would with some of the other avenues you mentioned. I fly -135s but we have 15, 18, and Prowler folks now with us. If you find an airframe like a C-17 that flies alot, you can build more hours that way.

 

[MooseTrax]

Guard/Reserve

The ANG and Reserves present some great opportunities for flying and pay. Of course you don't get any 121 experience, but every now and then some full time opportunities pop up.

 

[LEROY]

SEL-TAR!!

Find a flying Reserve job, and if you can max out additionals/AT, you can get by indefinitely. I spent a year and a half doing it. It pays the bills and it's time towards retirement.

 

[Pig]

I agree with Leroy. You're better off bumming if you find a reserve unit that will allow you to work a fair amount. An 0-4 with over 12 years of service could TAKE HOME 4k a month if they'll let you work that much. You can also volunteer for some TDY's to do different odd jobs, some as short as 2 weeks at a time, others as long a 3 months. AF Res/ANG units seem to be more user friendly for a bum than Navy also. The pay at regional carriers to start is shockingly low and doesn't get to an even OK level until you've been there for years. Alot of bums also get real estate and insurance jobs to get more income. They then stay current flying a week every month. Lots of options more profitable than working for a commuter.

 

[TTBoy]

et al,

I agree with previous posted responses...if you can find a unit that will allow you to maximize your drill year - you will survive...
stay there.

Regarding FedEx - I'd discourage taking a full time job with a regional with the thought that you're getting some hours.

There are only two things that matter:
1. the minimums
2. help from the inside

Don't bust your --- fighting for more hours, call some friends when the time is right and hope that they're as aggressive and determined as my sponsor was. The moon and Saturn alignment is also important, but not nearly as much as a sponsor when it comes to FedEx!!!

Ignore Leroy's resonse...he was still thinking about your icon!

TTBoy

 

[CODs4ever]

Thanks for all the replies. I am definitely planning on doing the flying reserve/sel-res thing. It's just that I want to do this and fly for a regional at the same time. Not sure if I'm getting in over my head as this may involve MANY days away from home and family. Thing is, I have the regional job, but I'm still working on getting into the reserve unit. I don't officially separate from active duty until August and I'll be on terminal leave during ground school at the regional. I guess I'll just have to let it play out and see how long I can stand and/or afford doing both. If I have to, I can walk away from the regional job, and hopefully use the extra time to put in more hours with the reserve unit.

 

[MercuryPilot]

CODs,
Keep the faith and keep updating. JB, SWA, and Airtran are all great airlines and are hiring. W/your background you should be able to network w/some folks from each of those companies to be your cheerleaders on the inside.

I have several Navy buddies transitioning out who have recently been called for interviews w/all three of those companies.

For others in your position, if you have access to the GI Bill it might be a great time to use it for that 737 type to make yourself more marketable at SWA. If you didn't have access to the MGIB because of USNA/ROTC you will have access to some $$$ once you become a SELRES regardless of your original commissioning source.

I start at JB this June and have a SELRES job to make ends meet. I have several friends in the training command who are doing the same thing. TT brought up a great point about checking into AFRES or AFANG. How about SELRES at an E2 unit or a VR unit near where you live? Training command SELRES is a great option too and every VT needs 'em.

Good luck,
MP

 

[ArchieF16]

Cod,

I'm not sure why you're so hell-bent on flying for a regional along with the guard/reserve. If your ultimate goal is to fly for a major, the regionals will be no less helpful than flying for the military. And, with the guard/reserve, you will be able to make a lot more money, not have to work 2 jobs (guard AND regional), and guess where your contact to the majors are flying right now?! As soon as they start hiring again, your best "ins" for the major airlines will be the guys you're flying with at the military units......take a guard job, bum there until a fulltime position opens up or you get an interview from one of the big guys you're waiting for......good luck......

 

[FL510GV]

Try any AFRes/ANG/USNRes etc.

Just because you're a Navy pilot doesn't mean that you cannot get hired by an ANG or AFRes unit... I don't know where you're located, but there are a lot of units dying for pilots right now because no one is getting out of Active Duty. If you're willing to fly a 130 you can probably find a base within a few miles of your house (they're everywere). If you want to fly the C-17 or a tanker you might have to commute or move... My unit has several "non-previous experience in the airplane guys", including myself.

Point is that you need to smooze with any all possibilities and the Air Force Reserves or Air Nat'l Guard is a realistic possibility for you.

Right now the non-activated guys can easily pull in 5K/mo (O-4) with about 14 days away from home, including CZTE/HFP etc. Not bad for part time... and you don't have to do anything you don't want to.

Good Luck.

 

[donger]

I spent 10 months drilling as a 'SelTar', all the while collecting unemployment. The combination of the two was more than enough to live off of, but it was tight. Just be careful with Unemployment and drilling active duty...make sure you cough up the money you collected while on orders and such. Each state is different, so make sure you read and understand all the fine print. You've paid for that unemployment, so now is your chance to collect it.

 

[FD2525]

ArchieF16,

Is your Guard/Reserve unit hiring?

FD

 

[SoBeFlyer]

Just a data point...

The SelRes guys in the VTs at Whiting are seeing the available drills wane supposedly due to reserve monies dwindling due to Iraq. Strange, since at the factory the widgets keep comming and comming and comming......

 

[SoBeFlyer]

Forgot to ask....

Is anyone willing to supply a copy (sanitized if you like) of an AF Res/ANG selection board package/application?

Thanks!!!

 

[T-Bags]

If you don't mind not flying (or need a break from it), there is full time money to be made.

https://vrs.afrc.af.mil

 

[BlueSkiesAhead!]

Don't listen to AnkleF16...

After I left the Air Force I flew for the commuters in the Pacific Northwest and it was one of the best times of my life. The training was great and I flew 850 hours a year until my interview at the major of my choice where I am now employed. You will meet some amazing people at the commuters. Anyway, have fun whatever you do and don't listen to pencil neck viper (mini-jet) geeks!

 

[ArchieF16]

Blue Skies---you moron

Dude,

Lighten up, Francis......My only point was that he didn't HAVE to fly for the regionals to have a good chance to get an interview with one of his top major choices. If he has the option to fly with the guard/reserve, I believe that would be as good, if not a better option in terms of pay and connections he could eventually make. Don't take it so personally-- I don't think less of you because you flew for the regionals....there are obviously other reasons for me to do that--jacka$$........

 

[ArchieF16]

FD,

Sorry bud, no hiring here...just hired about 4 guys last fall....but these things are fluid...find a unit/location you'd like to go to and keep talking to/visiting them.....good things are bound to happen.....good luck......

 

[FD2525]

FISH ON!

Archie, you pencil neck viper geek, (notice small v in viper)

Let me get this straight. You reply with "don't do the regionals, get a guard job instead" followed by "sorry bud, no hiring here".

OK? See the point I was trying to make?

COD,

Take a regional job if you can get one. It has medical insurance, flight benefits, flight time, etc. Use those flight passes to visit guard/reserve units. Fly and stay current. I don’t think the TRICARE for Reservists is going to come through this year and even if it does, the benefits run out DEC 2004, so that regional medical insurance will come in handy also. If you do get a guard/reserve job, the extra money will be nice.

 

[ArchieF16]

FD,

With your narrowmindedness, I can see why you responded the way you did. Just because there isn't an opening in one guard unit doesn't mean there aren't SEVERAL squadrons who are looking for qualified guys. If he can't get a guard job right now but has a regional position lined up, of COURSE he should take the job. Geez, why are you and B Skies so fricking sensitive...maybe you guys should go get a room and spoon together..........oh no, not a small 'v'......you're killing me....lol