What to do...

[PoorGuy]

Currently an active duty reservist flying C-17s. I have the option to take more orders and make good money, however I probably won't be upgrading to PIC within that next year.

Do i take the orders, or do I take a civilian job flying a metro PIC, and try to get to that 1000PIC as soon as possible so that I can start applying to majors and such? Or do I stick with the active duty orders and maybe upgrade in a 1.5 - 2 years?

Thanks

 

[bssthound]

Sounds to me like your ultimate goal is an airline job. If so, do the metro thing since you should still get UTAs/TPs, and some mandays. You can always take mil leave if your bank account grows cobwebs.

Tell TW I said hi, by the way.

 

[coho92]

Hang with the orders as long as possible or take the job get through training and back on mil leave. As far as time C-17 heavy global or metroliner. Shouldn't take two years to upgrade with all the flying available unless you hang out at home turning down locals. Several folks in my unit have gone to delta right at the 1000 hour min. my 2 cents

 

[Hagar17]

Currently an active duty reservist flying C-17s. I have the option to take more orders and make good money, however I probably won't be upgrading to PIC within that next year.

Do i take the orders, or do I take a civilian job flying a metro PIC, and try to get to that 1000PIC as soon as possible so that I can start applying to majors and such? Or do I stick with the active duty orders and maybe upgrade in a 1.5 - 2 years?

Thanks

How come you can't upgrade until two years from now?

How long have you been flying the C-17? I flew 1500 hours in two years in the C-5 and took my OME two years to the day after walking across the stage at UPT. I'm nothing special, believe me. I just got out and flew.

Hag

 

[hoover]

Currently an active duty reservist flying C-17s. I have the option to take more orders and make good money, however I probably won't be upgrading to PIC within that next year.

Do i take the orders, or do I take a civilian job flying a metro PIC, and try to get to that 1000PIC as soon as possible so that I can start applying to majors and such? Or do I stick with the active duty orders and maybe upgrade in a 1.5 - 2 years?

Thanks

You take the orders, because that is why I and my fellow citizens and taxpayers funded your training as a military pilot. We didn't pay for you to go off and fly for the airlines at the first opportunity. I'm surprised the Air Force is even giving you a choice.

 

[Hagar17]

You take the orders, because that is why I and my fellow citizens and taxpayers funded your training as a military pilot. We didn't pay for you to go off and fly for the airlines at the first opportunity. I'm surprised the Air Force is even giving you a choice.

Negative, Sparky. The taxpayers paid for him/her to be a reservist: a war-ready asset able to be called to active duty in a contingency.

The "orders" he's asking about are VOLUNTARY. There are so many bad guys to kill around the world that reservists and guardsmen have been able to volunteer for active duty tours of 60, 90, 179, 365-day or even longer VOLUNTARY tours of duty.

The past seven years have been a bounty for reservists looking to make a living as a pure reservist. In the past, all that was available to some reservists was part-time "bumming", where you took whatever scraps of flying work you could. The only requirement for a reservist was to stay current and qualified, ready to go to war. The trade-off for being a reservist was the freedom to pursue any civilian occupation you wished, airline or otherwise.

Chalk this up as free education. Now get off the military board and run back to the regionals board before you get slapped.

Hag

 

[hindsight2020]

How come you can't upgrade until two years from now?

How long have you been flying the C-17? I flew 1500 hours in two years in the C-5 and took my OME two years to the day after walking across the stage at UPT. I'm nothing special, believe me. I just got out and flew.

Hag

It's probably unit dependent. My unit has a "rule" about 1.5-2 year upgrades, but most bums would accrue the required (book answer) time to upgrade within the first year. Maybe his unit has the same stipulation.

 

[Gunfighter]

Take the orders, but live on what you would make as the metroliner pilot. It takes some self-discipline, but I'm sure you picked that up during training.

Save the rest in a "furlough fund" and your TSP. The "furlough fund" will come in handy at some point in your career. You'll be glad you have the extra retirement points from the AD and TSP money when it comes time for retirement.

This puts you behind a few months, maybe a year on your airline career waiting for your PIC time in the C-17, but you are much more prepared for the future. Set a solid financial foundation early and your airline career will be less stressfull.

 

[TXDanno]

If you take the civie job, make sure to keep your unit happy with you. Stay qualified and current, and push for the upgrade. Do not slow-roll the unit. You might find yourself counting on them as much as they now count on you.

Taking the orders gives you the steady-and might I say strong-income stream for as long as you need it or want it. Gunfighter is wise, grasshopper, to suggest you maximize your TSP contributions, especially if you are going downrange often. Some great longterm tax benefits, not just tax relief this month/year. If you can swing it, try 10% base pay and 100% flight pay.

Orders also gives you the opportunity to push for your upgrade, which helps you and the unit.

Last thought. A newer pilot (non-AC) in my FRED unit recently started training with Kallitta. Said pilot will be flying 747s and C-5s--heckova way to build experience.

 

[bearcat]

You take the orders, because that is why I and my fellow citizens and taxpayers funded your training as a military pilot. We didn't pay for you to go off and fly for the airlines at the first opportunity. I'm surprised the Air Force is even giving you a choice.

who the HELL are you?!!!!