For those of you who are AD, are you planning on staying in a while or going? It does not look like the market is very good right now. I have less than 2 years left at this point and trying to make up my mind. Currently flying B-52s, but about to head to AETC to fly T-6s or T-38s in a few months. As bad as the market is right now, wouldn't mind getting out and flying corporate again, since flying here in Active Duty is my additional duty lol. Flying 3-4 times a month is beyong getting old. I wouldn't mind going to a guard/reserve unit, but have not found any G/R units really responsive to a Buff guy.
Pitts,
Am Reserve Navy. However, if you are heading to AETC, you will enjoy the flying again. I would reapproach this question in about 10-12 months. Will have a better viewpoint of the horizon yet to come. Naturally, can get your ATP etc prepared for any eventuality. Enjoy the tour and save max cash. Then you will be more free to make a real choice.
Yeah, hopefully my spirits will raise a bit after getting back to some fun flying. I was corporate prior to joining the AF, already have my ATP, etc, and about 6800 total time, most of it turbine so hopefully my prior hours and my military hours will help some. I am all for getting a reserve T-6 or T-38 job if I can pull that one out at the end of my committment, but last I heard to get get one of those you either have to wait for someone to die, or kill someone lol.
My first (and only) chance to get out was in 2005. I made the decision to stay in because I've got two uncles on the private side, one who buried Pan Am, Piedmont, and then had his supposed dream job at US Airways, how'd that work out? So, that AF retirement is great Furlough insurance. The price is I just finished a year in Iraq and I'm heading to a two year stint in Korea so I can align myself to be current and qualified at 20. Every one has to weigh the pros and cons for themselves, I stayed in with my eyes open, took the bonus and the shaft and can't really complain.
I did a tour in the T-38 at Vance 2002-05 and loved it, I'm looking at going back after Korea because you can fly every day and it just isn't that stressful.
UPT, I have looked at the reserve unit here at KBAD, they are really fat on pilots right now and for the forseeable future. Anyhow, I am really burned out on flying the Buff anyhow and ready to do something else that is actually challenging. As far as life after the Air Force, pay is not really my top priority but enjoying my job is. The best career move I have made was by marrying an anesthesiologist. Midnight, I hear you on the retirement pay, but I am at a point where time at home is far more important to me. Being gone 3-7 days at a time is far better than 120 days to 1 year at a time. I am also 100% guaranteed if I stay in and take the bonus to end up in Minot ND, which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
Marine Hornet guy here..75-25 I'll will be getting out in a year and a half. I'll be at 11 years and had an absolute blast, but its time for something different. If airlines are hiring I'd love to work for one and find a good gig in the reserves or something. If they're not I may stay. I have no desire to be a Squadron CO so if I do stay I'll take orders that I enjoy and not take orders b/c as the monitor tells me "its best for your career." I love filling out my dream sheet and the monitor looking at my 3 choices and saying "no, you don't want to do that." Hey pal, if I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't have put it. Drives me crazy!!!!
I think you'd have to be crazy to get out with the way the economy/airlines are right now. If there's one thing we have in the military it's job security. I think the airlines might be a good retirement career for extra cash, but I'm not in any hurry to get there. I'd have to be a Captain with SWA to make what I make right now with the bonus.
Lifetime healthcare used to be a good enough reason to stay, but I guess those of us working will be paying for everyone else's healthcare here pretty soon anyway.
If money's not an issue, I wouldn't go to the airlines. Fly the small, fast maneuverable ones in AETC as long as you can, have fun, and be home at night. I think money is the main reason anyone would want go to the airlines, and it's just not there right now (unless you're with UPS, Fed Ex, SWA, or you're just plain old).
Pitts, it is a personal decision, but I am going... Yes, the market for jobs is not the best. Yes, there is a ton of uncertainty out there. Yes, I will not have secure employment for the first time in my working career.
For me it came down to family and flying. I have enjoyed my military career and will miss landing on the carrier and more importantly, the people. I will not miss the two 7 month back-to-back deployments (with workups) that were separated by less than a year. I want to stay in the cockpit (I love to fly) and not work a desk at war college, fleet staff, or doing an augmentation in Iraq or Afghanistan (not flying).
The military has been a great place to grow as both an aviator and professional, but the time has come to pursue another option. I think everyone has a different take with legitimate reasons. If I had more to feed than just two, it might be a completely different story.
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