what to do?

[planejockey]

Ok here is the deal, I have about 1100 TT and 200 multi, I just quit my job at a regional. I am looking into the military more and more seriously, I have it narrowed down between the Army and the AF. If I choose the Army itas because I would know quickly if I am in or not, and the AF because they fly fixed wing. Here is my question if I go with the Army and in the chance I don't like the military is there a good job outlook for me? and how does it work with the airlines when it comes to helo time? and if you are a reservist or full time AF please let me know what you think.

 

[JungleJett]

Why did you leave the regionals? You must not have been there more than a month with only 200 multi. Curious.....

 

[planejockey]

I addressed a safety issue to a capt and was not taken seriously! plus there were alot of things that I didn't like

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Which regional and what was the safety issue?

 

[JungleJett]

I addressed a safety issue to a capt and was not taken seriously! plus there were alot of things that I didn't like

What will happen if you address a safety issue with the military or there are things you do not like about military life? (And there will be)

Will you just quit?

I am sorry to be a more than a little skeptical, but with your total time and low multi time, you could not have spent that much time working for anyone and make those judgements.

 

[N1VIBS]

I addressed a safety issue to a capt and was not taken seriously! plus there were alot of things that I didn't like

Obviously a SNAP.

 

[AdlerDriver]

Ok here is the deal, I have about 1100 TT and 200 multi, I just quit my job at a regional. I am looking into the military more and more seriously, I have it narrowed down between the Army and the AF. If I choose the Army itas because I would know quickly if I am in or not, and the AF because they fly fixed wing. Here is my question if I go with the Army and in the chance I don't like the military is there a good job outlook for me? and how does it work with the airlines when it comes to helo time? and if you are a reservist or full time AF please let me know what you think.

So, let me see if I have this right. You still want to be an airline pilot, just not at a regional, and you are looking at the Army or Air Force to build time and get your qualifications up to snuff so you can apply to the airline you DO want to fly for? Is that correct?

If so, I have several comments in no particular order:
- How old are you?
- The Navy also flies boocoo fixed wing aircraft (just a thought).
- The Army flies fixed wing also but in minimal numbers compared to the AF or Navy.
- Most airlines do not consider helo time when evaluating the quals of a potential new-hire.
- The Air Force requires a 10 year commitment after you get your wings (which takes about a year). I'm not sure what the Navy commitment is. Can I assume you already have a 4-year degree? If that's the case and all the planets aligned, you might be done with your Air Force commitment and be ready to apply to the airlines in 11-12 years (depending on how long it took you to get the pilot slot, get your commission at Officer Training School (OTS) and show up at pilot training).
- What does "if I don't like the military is there a good job outlook for me?" mean? - Do you mean if you quit during training or get your wings and do your time and then bail, or what? I'm just confused by the wording of your question.

If you want a shot at an airline job with military flight experience, I'd say go for the Navy or Air Force. No offense to the Army bros but if your goal is an airline career, I wouldn't waste your time with the Army.

All that said, you really need to look in the mirror and decide why you are considering the military. If you want to serve and pursue a 20 year career in the military, then go for it. After the military commitments jumped up to the 10 year range, I knew few if any pilots in the military that joined with the express goal of building airline quals and getting out. Also, consider combat, family separation, multiple moves, long cruises and deployments, possible non-flying assignments, not flying your "dream aircraft", etc. and you need to decide if you're willing to make those kind of sacrifices even if you NEVER get a shot at an airline job. (Who knows - you may not get hired or there might not be any jobs available if and when you do decide to get out).

If you're thinking military just to build time for the airlines, then you really made a big mistake in my opinion. You already had your foot in the door with the regional job. I don't know what the captain upgrade time was at your regional but I'm guessing it wasn't 11 years. You could have built a lot of time in the next 11 years, had the PIC mins and been applying to whatever airline you do want to work for WAYYYYY sooner than if you just start the ball rolling now with the military. Not that you could do much about it now but it’s just an observation.

Hope that helps some. Good Luck.

 

[planejockey]

just to clear matters, I was not supported by the company on the issue, they went along with the capt and his authority. That is why I quit and regardless I was going to leave if the AF called since I started the process with them. What I was referring to when I was talking about job outlook is what is it like out there for ex-helo pilots. What exactly do they do after they get out? I have no intention of going back to the airlines, not that I am a quitter and running away from a bad experience, the lifestyle just was not for me. I would like to make the military a career I was just curious what guys do after they serve in the army flying helos besides the regular police chopper work.

Thanks for the info

 

[planejockey]

BTW what the hell is a SNAP?

 

[AdlerDriver]

.......I would like to make the military a career I was just curious what guys do after they serve in the army flying helos besides the regular police chopper work.

Thanks for the info

Good luck in your career - I hope it works out. Which branch is kind of up to you and who needs pilots. Only you know where your real "nich" might be based on your skill set and desires.
I don't know much about follow on helo flying in the civilian world. My only guess would be the typical helo jobs: cops, traffic/news, medevac, corporate, fire-fighting and the list goes on.

BTW - SNAP: Sensitive New Age Pilot - a term that made its debut in the late 90s when the "Gen-X/Y" - whatever - crowd began to make their way into the military. Those that fell into this category seemed to have a hard time knowing when to just "shut up and color" and always seemed to have some kind of issue/complaint.
Just giving you the scoop - not necessarily thrown you into that category (not enough info on the issue at hand).