How many military expected to go to majors?
#11
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.
#12
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.
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.
#13
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
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
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Petting Zoo
Posts: 2,068
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.
So from where I'm sitting, retention seems better now than when I was starting. Small picture though, then and now.
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,225
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
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
#17
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.
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.
#18
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2014
Posts: 2
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.
Fly safe everyone.
#19
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?
#20
Banned
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: 7th green
Posts: 4,378
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?
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?
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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