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How many military expected to go to majors?

Old 09-01-2014, 12:38 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by TexanDriver View Post
For what it's worth, all of the bubbas that left my squadron either through VSP or PC are gunning for the airlines.
Our squadron had 1 major and 1 LTC leave for consulting work and an LTC who went to work at the simulators. We also have 4 or 5 who left since January already working for a major airline, I'm awaiting a class date, and I know of at least another 7 or 8 who have either left or are in the process of leaving who desire to fly for the airlines. I also know 3 graduated squadron commanders who are either hired or trying to get hired by a major airline.

I admit I've killed a few brain cells since the pre-911 hiring spree ended, but I do not recall from my days of FAIPdom having this many guys jump ship at the 1st available opportunity. Even more so, I certainly don't remember officers leaving command jobs in order to get out of the AF.
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Old 09-01-2014, 01:19 PM
  #12  
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All just anecdotal, but from what I can observe, about 1/3 of the military pilots getting out don't have a burning desire to fly for a living. The younger the pilot, the more he/she wants to fly for an airline, from what I've seen. There is a decent chunk of mil pilots who go into management, fly corporate or find other avenues to make a living. I think in the next few years there will be a pretty large pool of military pilots looking for an airline job, but eventually the military will stabilize by giving pilots more incentives (i.e., bigger retention bonuses) and that pool will shrink.

Considering the Big 3 will be losing around 700-1000 pilots a year in the coming years, I think there will be good opportunities for just about everyone though.
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Old 09-01-2014, 01:27 PM
  #13  
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The last ten or so years have been very tough on military folks and families, who have seen dad go on deployments numerous times, in light of Iraq, Afghan, etc.

I argue this is a major reason folks are "jumping ship" more so than in the past.

It may be a reason many want a more "9 to 5" routine versus not everyone chasing an airline job, just to be "gone all the time" all over again and junior man on the totem pole. Mom and the kids may not be signing up for that.

At the end of the day, when mom and kids say "We need dad home", a new-hire at an airline job, may not satisfy that request.

Just some thoughts
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Old 09-01-2014, 02:05 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by MikeF16 View Post
I admit I've killed a few brain cells since the pre-911 hiring spree ended, but I do not recall from my days of FAIPdom having this many guys jump ship at the 1st available opportunity. Even more so, I certainly don't remember officers leaving command jobs in order to get out of the AF.
Hmm, my memories are different. FAIP in Del Rio 97-00, and no one stayed in. I actually knew more about airlines then than I do now as every single person in flight room talked of nothing else. I was told the bonus take rate on base was single digit. Can't say everyone was mad necessarily, but they were done. Every now and then you'd meet someone that was staying in, and everyone looked at them funny. I had one squadron cc make O6, decline the crappy assignment that came with it, and retire. Outside of him, I didn't know that many field graders.

So from where I'm sitting, retention seems better now than when I was starting. Small picture though, then and now.
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Old 09-01-2014, 02:14 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by satpak77 View Post
The last ten or so years have been very tough on military folks and families, who have seen dad go on deployments numerous times, in light of Iraq, Afghan, etc.

I argue this is a major reason folks are "jumping ship" more so than in the past.

It may be a reason many want a more "9 to 5" routine versus not everyone chasing an airline job, just to be "gone all the time" all over again and junior man on the totem pole. Mom and the kids may not be signing up for that.

At the end of the day, when mom and kids say "We need dad home", a new-hire at an airline job, may not satisfy that request.

Just some thoughts
If the new hire lives in base and does not chase upgrades he can have a very high quality of life and family time. I know lots of guys who spend very few nights away from home. If on the other hand you commute from 1200 miles away your going to kill family time.
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Old 09-01-2014, 07:41 PM
  #16  
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A guard/AFRES job complements this career very nicely, so long as you live in either or both bases. Getting orders to sleep in your own bed every night makes this job so much nicer.
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Old 09-02-2014, 06:16 AM
  #17  
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Not everybody who gets out or retires will go to Airlines, but most who are current probably will. Military Pilot Retention and Airline Hiring are cyclical, but do not match up exactly. Military pilot retention starts to drop usually right before the Airlines start to hire, then the bottom drops out. And it continues past when hiring slows.
3 things that jump out right now.
1. Squadron Commander retirements at all time highs in Navy and AF.
2. Military downsizing via continuation boards, slowed promotions, and early out bonuses once again overeaching.
3. QOL for military pilots approaching an all time low. Less and less time flying, more JPME, staff work, PC nonsense, and Leadership failures.

Flying or an office job is an individual decision. But even the non current can get back in the game via regionals or ISR.
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Old 09-04-2014, 05:44 AM
  #18  
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Thanks for the responses everyone. I appreciate it. With several airlines hiring upwards of 85% mil pilots, and plenty in the hopper, looks like it's going to be a bit for those who went the civ route.
Fly safe everyone.
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Old 09-04-2014, 09:54 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Pullcord View Post
Thanks for the responses everyone. I appreciate it. With several airlines hiring upwards of 85% mil pilots, and plenty in the hopper, looks like it's going to be a bit for those who went the civ route.
Fly safe everyone.
I'm completely civilian from my training. I competed for some upt slots, but ultimately was shot down because of my vision back in 06.

Why would it be that military would put out the civilian guys, like myself, with 6,000 hrs., 2,000 121 TPIC, training department experience, volunteer work, etc?
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Old 09-04-2014, 10:05 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by lear700pilot View Post
I'm completely civilian from my training. I competed for some upt slots, but ultimately was shot down because of my vision back in 06.

Why would it be that military would put out the civilian guys, like myself, with 6,000 hrs., 2,000 121 TPIC, training department experience, volunteer work, etc?
Probably because the airlines recognize the fact that military flight training is standardized and requires people with a great deal of dedication and discipline.

With civilian trained pilots, you can never be sure what you're getting. There are plenty of license mills that will pass anyone who can pay for the training.
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