Is the grass greener? (Military to Airlines)
12-12-2010, 09:01 PM
#151
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2010
Position: Works too much
Posts: 242
It's all good looking at total career earnings which show a total gross benefit to separating from the military early vs staying for 20. However, have you considered the impacts of the distribution of said pay over your career?
I decided (partly) to stay till 20 knowing I might not make as much over my lifetime, but knowing the $48K/yr O-5 retired pay plus bennies would make my life much more comfortable during those early airline years. One can stomach a lot of suckiness those first few years when augmented by mil retirement.
I decided (partly) to stay till 20 knowing I might not make as much over my lifetime, but knowing the $48K/yr O-5 retired pay plus bennies would make my life much more comfortable during those early airline years. One can stomach a lot of suckiness those first few years when augmented by mil retirement.
12-13-2010, 04:56 PM
#152
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 191
It's all good looking at total career earnings which show a total gross benefit to separating from the military early vs staying for 20. However, have you considered the impacts of the distribution of said pay over your career?
I decided (partly) to stay till 20 knowing I might not make as much over my lifetime, but knowing the $48K/yr O-5 retired pay plus bennies would make my life much more comfortable during those early airline years. One can stomach a lot of suckiness those first few years when augmented by mil retirement.
I decided (partly) to stay till 20 knowing I might not make as much over my lifetime, but knowing the $48K/yr O-5 retired pay plus bennies would make my life much more comfortable during those early airline years. One can stomach a lot of suckiness those first few years when augmented by mil retirement.
12-13-2010, 07:17 PM
#153
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: Work
Posts: 507
One of the objectives of constructing Associate Units was to benefit from the efficiencies of ARC organizational practices—units that provide the very same mission capabilities, maintain the same standards + training—all at 1/3 the cost. Now a byproduct of this association is that the ARC is drawn into the swirling vortex of RegAF inefficiency and waste, questionable leadership and policy, and a high-paced OPSTEMPO that is “supported” by hastened, short-sighted, and disorganized planning and support. The MPA program is an example—a RegAF program that is not understood and subsequently mismanaged by the Active Duty. The RegAF always throws more money at their problems and through Associations, they now unfortunately have more control of plugging their dike with the ARC. Now a lack of MPA will illustrate just how much the ARC has been covering for RegAF. At least they paid for a new motto research/survey.
It is no wonder ARC members are hesitant to “volunteer” longer-term support for RegAF requirements. It is more comfortable working in/for an organization that (comparatively) runs much more efficiently (since profit is the airline bottom-line) or operating in an organization that actually plans for the long-term (their inherent ARC unit). More predictability, stability and less stress.
Interesting that RegAF folks venturing to this website (for future airline transition I presume) complain about current ARC participation. They have a fundamental lack of understanding of how the ARC truly works (balancing ARC, civ and family obligations) and lends credence to the fact that ARC units are at further risk of being consumed by unrealistic RegAF expectations to cover their inefficiencies.
It is no wonder ARC members are hesitant to “volunteer” longer-term support for RegAF requirements. It is more comfortable working in/for an organization that (comparatively) runs much more efficiently (since profit is the airline bottom-line) or operating in an organization that actually plans for the long-term (their inherent ARC unit). More predictability, stability and less stress.
Interesting that RegAF folks venturing to this website (for future airline transition I presume) complain about current ARC participation. They have a fundamental lack of understanding of how the ARC truly works (balancing ARC, civ and family obligations) and lends credence to the fact that ARC units are at further risk of being consumed by unrealistic RegAF expectations to cover their inefficiencies.
12-14-2010, 06:50 AM
#154
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Position: 787 Captain
Posts: 1,512
I bailed at 14 years and have 27 total (active and reserve) now, all USAF time.
Retirement must be a part of your equation. Most airlines now are 401k retirements now, not pensions. USAF is a pension.
The airline job is like being a Lt (O-2) all over again. My USAF duties now are staff/leadership. The truth is the two keep each other in balance. By all means keep a guard reserve job and activate when you can-It will be more meaningful to you than when you were active.
The best part of the mil is the ability to help people, the best part about the airline is that you leave all your work at work.
Good luck deciding.
Retirement must be a part of your equation. Most airlines now are 401k retirements now, not pensions. USAF is a pension.
The airline job is like being a Lt (O-2) all over again. My USAF duties now are staff/leadership. The truth is the two keep each other in balance. By all means keep a guard reserve job and activate when you can-It will be more meaningful to you than when you were active.
The best part of the mil is the ability to help people, the best part about the airline is that you leave all your work at work.
Good luck deciding.
12-17-2010, 05:12 AM
#156
On Reserve
Joined APC: Sep 2010
Posts: 13
Here's my experience: I got out in 1997 for the airline paycheck and looking for a better quality of life. After 5 years of work slowages, contract issues, company infighting, and being gone from home more than I ever was in the military (18 days a month every month), I wound up with a furlough. Luckily, the AF took me back in 2003 and I won't go back until I get my retirement from the AF. I worked with pilots who had been through 2 company disentegrations (PanAm/Eastern) and had started over as many times only to wind up with nothing in the bank for retirement. My recommendation: get your retirement from the military first. The grass is definitely not greener, and as much as people gripe about the BS in the military, it's a heck of a lot more stable for your family, and there is just as much BS in the airlines, it's just different.
12-17-2010, 06:30 AM
#157
Thx Age 65
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: MD11CAP
Posts: 1,041
Just wondering what other reservists think of this:
http://www.afrc.af.mil/shared/media/...101202-018.pdf
My take was that is they think that the ARC has gotten used to being AD Lite so let's continue the Sodomy.
http://www.afrc.af.mil/shared/media/...101202-018.pdf
My take was that is they think that the ARC has gotten used to being AD Lite so let's continue the Sodomy.
12-17-2010, 06:43 AM
#158
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,083
My recommendation: get your retirement from the military first. The grass is definitely not greener, and as much as people gripe about the BS in the military, it's a heck of a lot more stable for your family, and there is just as much BS in the airlines, it's just different.
12-17-2010, 11:22 AM
#159
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,265
Tigger, there are many whose experiences are similar to yours... just as there are many on the other side. Blanket statements usually don't work because the "stay or leave" decision is so dependent on things that are beyond our control. The military is the proverbial "bird in the hand", but half of those who leave for the airlines really do get the "two in the bush."
I think the best anyone can do is use the situation they've got, manager their priorities (family, QOL, career aspirations, etc) and go forward from there.
Military career is definatley a womb once you hit the 10 year mark, but it all comes down to risk vs. reward. For some it works out, for others it dosen't. Some are willing to accept more risk than others and their situation may allow them to comfortably take that risk.
12-17-2010, 10:21 PM
#160
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: Work
Posts: 507
Just wondering what other reservists think of this:
http://www.afrc.af.mil/shared/media/...101202-018.pdf
My take was that is they think that the ARC has gotten used to being AD Lite so let's continue the Sodomy.
http://www.afrc.af.mil/shared/media/...101202-018.pdf
My take was that is they think that the ARC has gotten used to being AD Lite so let's continue the Sodomy.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
