AF vs. Civilian Route
05-27-2014, 02:28 PM
#1
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Joined APC: May 2014
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AF vs. Civilian Route
Hello,
My goal is become an airline pilot, but I have a tough choice to make. Air Force or civilian route?
As of now, I will graduate college in a couple of weeks and plan to pass my commercial check ride. I am working on my application for a pilot slot in the Air Force Reserves. At the same time, I plan to become a CFI this summer to gain more hours and earn some money.
The military will be an amazing experience but will require 10 years of service. I know getting into the reserves you are hired as a pilot. So I don't have to worry about not being able to fly. On the other hand, I can land a regional job after flight instructing for the next 2 years. I'll be able to get into the airlines earlier and have a better seniority. Plus, its a pilot's market, and there is a lot of regional jobs available.
What seems to be the better decision? Which route will get me to the majors quicker and easier? I appreciate any sort of advice.
P.S. I heard reserve pilots can get an airline job at the same time. Is this allowed during or after the 10 year service?
My goal is become an airline pilot, but I have a tough choice to make. Air Force or civilian route?
As of now, I will graduate college in a couple of weeks and plan to pass my commercial check ride. I am working on my application for a pilot slot in the Air Force Reserves. At the same time, I plan to become a CFI this summer to gain more hours and earn some money.
The military will be an amazing experience but will require 10 years of service. I know getting into the reserves you are hired as a pilot. So I don't have to worry about not being able to fly. On the other hand, I can land a regional job after flight instructing for the next 2 years. I'll be able to get into the airlines earlier and have a better seniority. Plus, its a pilot's market, and there is a lot of regional jobs available.
What seems to be the better decision? Which route will get me to the majors quicker and easier? I appreciate any sort of advice.
P.S. I heard reserve pilots can get an airline job at the same time. Is this allowed during or after the 10 year service?
05-27-2014, 02:44 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Gear Handle supervisor
Posts: 1,035
You can do the reserves and be at the airlines at the same time. You're protected by userra. You're seniority will continue to accrue. Well with the military flight training you're also eligible for the restricted ATP for military pilots.
Great way to beef up your resume and have the AF pay for your time building.
Great way to beef up your resume and have the AF pay for your time building.
05-27-2014, 04:35 PM
#3
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,406
Assuming you're qualified and have the aptitude and motivation for military service, then best route IMO would be Air National Guard (second choice USAF reserve) while pursuing a civilian flying career in parallel.
Yes, you can do both at the same time. Ideal path would be get hired at a regional, complete one year and then leave for military training. Your airline seniority would accrue while you're doing initial training (about two years).
But I wouldn't delay taking a military slot if/when you get offered one. Keep plugging away with the civilian track while applying for military slots.
Yes, you can do both at the same time. Ideal path would be get hired at a regional, complete one year and then leave for military training. Your airline seniority would accrue while you're doing initial training (about two years).
But I wouldn't delay taking a military slot if/when you get offered one. Keep plugging away with the civilian track while applying for military slots.
05-27-2014, 04:53 PM
#4
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Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,896
This is a no-brainer. Go Guard or Reserves and never look back! Apply everywhere you can stand to live and take the first one you get. While you're waiting to go to AF training get hired by a regional, if able.
Training takes 2-3 years, then if your fighters you'll have another fish years full time (less if you fly heavies). After than you can go part time and go back to the airlines if you wish. If you get hired at a regional prior to training you can drop mil leave and when you get back you'll still have your seniority number. You'll make much more in the mil than at the regionals, as well. Heck it's going to take 4ish years at my legacy to get back to the pay I'm making in the mil.
Training takes 2-3 years, then if your fighters you'll have another fish years full time (less if you fly heavies). After than you can go part time and go back to the airlines if you wish. If you get hired at a regional prior to training you can drop mil leave and when you get back you'll still have your seniority number. You'll make much more in the mil than at the regionals, as well. Heck it's going to take 4ish years at my legacy to get back to the pay I'm making in the mil.
05-27-2014, 05:30 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 2,316
I highly recommend the guard/reserves. As others have said you can do both civ/mil at the same time. I was an experienced CFII before joining, flew fighters and as an Instructor pilot in the Air Force (now reserves). I'm now an airline pilot as well. I enjoy the airline job and especially will enjoy future pay raises and QOL improvements, but the flying does not compare to Air Force flying.
***Note: not trying to start a mil vs civ debate here, Just giving my opinion.
Air Force training is top notch and will put your skill level rapidly above what you accomplished in your civilian training. Within your first 100 hours or so you'll be flying a high performance aircraft (no autopilots by the way) solo in formation with other high performance aircraft. When you get to your major weapon system (MWS) you will fly airplanes in ways that one can only dream about in the civilian world. Also, the Air Force offers much more than flying. You'll have travel opportunities and leadership roles.
It is a ton of work and could slow your route to a major by a year or more depending on what you fly. The offset to the slow accumulation of hours is that you will have solid networking options and build a strong resume.
By the way if you do ten years in the Guard/Reserves you might as well stick it out for twenty to get your retirement. If the flying is taking up too much time you can switch to a more traditional two day a month type job after your commitment is up.
***Note: not trying to start a mil vs civ debate here, Just giving my opinion.
Air Force training is top notch and will put your skill level rapidly above what you accomplished in your civilian training. Within your first 100 hours or so you'll be flying a high performance aircraft (no autopilots by the way) solo in formation with other high performance aircraft. When you get to your major weapon system (MWS) you will fly airplanes in ways that one can only dream about in the civilian world. Also, the Air Force offers much more than flying. You'll have travel opportunities and leadership roles.
It is a ton of work and could slow your route to a major by a year or more depending on what you fly. The offset to the slow accumulation of hours is that you will have solid networking options and build a strong resume.
By the way if you do ten years in the Guard/Reserves you might as well stick it out for twenty to get your retirement. If the flying is taking up too much time you can switch to a more traditional two day a month type job after your commitment is up.
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