P8ASW

Folks,

I am approaching a crossroads of sorts and looking for some opinions...

I'm currently military flying and instructing in the 737-900. I will be eligible to get out of the military in about two years and will have roughly 2500hrs total, all turbine and roughly 1300 turbine PIC. At that point, I'll have 14 years in the military.

At this point in life, figure I have a shot at a legacy, but at the expense of a military retirement in 6 years. I could still drill with in the reserves, but military retirement won't come until I'm 59.

Other option is to stay 20 years and get out at age 44 in 2022 and look to go the fractional route?

Seems the airline life can be Gucci, but I like the idea of "charter" type flying. Not sure what the pay opportunities look like nor the long term potential in the fractional world, but even if they were a bit lower, I would have nearly 50K a year of retirement pay coming in.

Any thoughts???

Thanks!

Radials Rule

9 more years until relative retirement security at 44? I say go with the military retirement. 44 is still relatively young to get on with a legacy airline or fractional.

If you leave now and there's a belch in the economy like in Sep 08, you'd be SOL. I know of the "seniority is everything" mantra in airlines. Even with that, I think it's worth the 9 years of seniority gamble. Find a US Airways pilot that was furloughed after Sept 11, 2001 when he was hired in 1987. Ask any pilot that was senior and had years left at Pan Am, Braniff or Eastern.

Roper92

If you do end up staying in the military and going to the airlines, there will be anywhere from 2,000-3,000 pilots hired during that 6 year period assuming it's UAL, AA/US (merged by then?), DAL. Financially, with your military retirement and potential signing bonus, you won't take too much of a hit. However, as I'm sure you already know, you'll be wanting QOL and seniority is the name of the game when it comes to QOL. Basically, my point is that if you think you might end up at the airlines, go ASAP. I share your desire to fly fractional/corporate/charter, but the opportunities are not as numerous as the amount of available major airline jobs coming open. Good luck!

hypoxia

Airline pensions are becoming a thing of the past! 6 more years seems like a long time but will go by fast! Of course, who knows the certainty of military pensions in today's climate? Good luck!

Rama

Pensions are pretty much gone, but some legacies offer about 15% into 401k (no pilot contribution necessary) which is certainly not a bad deal. That combined with a military retirement would be pretty comfortable for most.

Purple Drank

9 years is an eternity. Lots will change between now and then...look at the changes in the fractional and airline careers in the past 9 years and extrapolate....

You might consider going airlines/reserve ASAP. It will allow your family some stability (no more PCSs) and you can start building seniority and a retirement account in your name. That's crucial, because who knows what the AD and Reserve retirements will look like in a few years.

giving up 9 years of seniority at the majors is significant. Not sure what your family situation is, but you may want to consider if it's better to be junior now or in 9 years. If your kids will be in college in 9 years, it wouldn't be bad.

130drvr

This^^^^^^

I got out at 13 yr mark for QOL. Best decision I ever made. Of course every situation is different. What does your wife want? What is best for your kids? I wanted to buy my last house and put my kids in school where they would go K thru 12. I also got a military reserve job. My monthly reserve paycheck is almost what an AD retirement check would be, but I have my seniority number at a legacy airline, AND, since I drill locally, my QOL in terms of schedule is much better than had I come to an airline job as a retired guy, without the ability to perform duty locally.

galaxy flyer

I've been here before, admittedly with AD guys and I was the reserve Ops O, but my advice would be:

1/ Nail down a Reserve/ANG/Navy Reserve position to protect your military retirement. Yes, you have to wait til 59, but that retirement is gonna be good with your points. The USG will play with it, but you'll have it.

2/ Network, get your FAA ATP NOW. It won't get any easier and it's HUGE to have.

3/ Get apps in and get a interview coach. Seniority is everything at the airlines, so get hired.

4/ Corporates/Fracs are a different story entirely. Timing and seniority isn't so crucial, esp at corporates. If that is your GOAL, I'd stay for the AD retirement, if staying is acceptable.

This all comes from watching loads of guys in your position as a "TAR", ART in Reserve terms; and one who bailed out of the military tech program with 3 years to go before civil servic retirement. A great, but risky, move, to be sure.

Good Luck,

GF

jkhill0

I know I am late coming to this discussion, but don't just look at the value of the pension. Also look at the value of the medical benefits; I admit to having the benefit of looking at the situation from the "19 yrs in" standpoint, but what happens if you develop a medical issue that prevents issuance of a class 1 physical? You are then done flying for the big boys. Take an honest look at your health, look at your family's health history, and evaluate the lifestyle you want to live.

In the end you need to make the decision that is best for your family, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt and pick your path.

Fetzervalve

If you can get on with a legacy in 2 years, do it. I agree, you want to catch the wave as early as possible. With your military background and 737NG experience, no doubt Delta will look at you.

Good luck and thank you for your service!