bojonpilot

Hello all!

I am currently a pilot training instructor pilot in the T-1 and my previous assignment was a aircraft commander in the C-5 Galaxy. I have had two dreams in life--to fly the C-5 and to become an airline pilot (preferably a DC-10 Captain for UAL--but I guess I am twenty years too late!).

To shoot straight, I have had enough with the Active-Duty Air Force--I don't want to get into all the particulars here, nor would all of you want to hear, but the lowdown is that the job you do as a pilot does not matter. What does matter is how much "brown nosing" and "volunteer opportunites" you do, or if you have your masters degree done, or how well you do in your additional-duty "desk job." I have three air medals for my combat time and 1500+ hours in turbine aircraft (1000 of which is heavy 4 engine turbine). Don't get me wrong, I am very proud to serve and I am proud to wear the uniform (I intend to stay in the Guard/Reserve as long as they will keep me), but I think the USAF has misaligned priorities when it comes to their pilot force.

I need help--I still have about 4 years left before I start the airline application process and I want to ensure that I can be set up in the very best position that I can be for that.

If some of you do not already know this, the Air Force pretty much forces individuals into upward mobility regardless if they just want to be the absolute best aviator they can be (me). My question is do airline hiring boards really care if I have my masters or SOS done? If I am a passed over twice Captain and did not make Major before I get out, does that matter?

This next part is not meant to brag by any means, I just need some answers from the experts. I was the top graduate out of my pilot training class, and I was a Distinguished Graduate from pilot training, C-5 Pilot Initial Qualification course, and T-1 Pilot Instructor Training. In addition I have multiple Q-1 "Excellent" checkrides, most notable was my C-5 Aircraft Commander checkride in which I received a Q1 "Excellent" with a "Commendable" in Aircraft Commander responsibilites/knowledge. With what was said above, does this have more weight on airline boards than SOS, masters, or if I made Major?

Thank you all in advance for all of your help and advice, I sure appreciate the help! --Bojonpilot

Jumbo Pilot

PM Sent...

USMCFLYR

I'll let your AF buddies fill you in on the particulars of your accomplishments as far as airline hiring practices go; but for those youngsters coming up and looking to go military this quote above is important.
Truthfully I doubt the AF is any different from other service branches in this mentality, but maybe my former branch just did a better chance of putting it out there. their quote was "We didn't 'hire' you to be a pilot. We 'hired' you to be a Marine".
It is too bad in some ways. There are plenty that wanted the same thing as bojonpilot, but we all knew it going in. If we wanted that guarantee then we should probably have all gone Army WO. It has been batted around for the Corps even at different points in time.
So again - for the new guys outside looking in, go into the committment with your eyes wide open. There are certain hoops that you need to jump through to keep the upward mobility viable. If all you want to do if fly, then go in and do your best and get out at your first opportunity. You will have done more than most can claim, had some great times, trained with some true professionals, done a job worth doing, and now move on to your new high hope.
My opinion.

USMCFLYR

Tweetdrvr

Most of the info you need walks around your squadron on a daily basis wearing AFRC patches, they would be happy to talk to you anytime, just seek them out.

Then go do interview prep at Emerald Coast!

fishforfun

Sounds like we are in the same boat. My DOS is 19 Jan 2016. If things stay the same as they are now with the AF, then I'm done. I've been meaning to ask the question on here as well. What you would do if you had to do it over? What things would you do knowing you have about 4-5 years before you are going to make the jump from active duty to the guard/reserve and an attempt at the airlines.

xjtguy

And on that note, you can NEVER doubt the man's advice. Especially here, where it's specifically tailored to military;

Timing your exit...2011 update

bojonpilot

If I had to do it over fishforfun, I would have gone Guard/Reserves. My Liasion Officer for ROTC was a KC-135 Guard guy and I remember him mentioning to me in the 10th grade that "just remember there are other opportunities out there besides A/D to pay for your school." I should have listened. I have friends out there that I went through UPT with that are Guard/Reserve and they are flying heavies part-time and building seniority at the airlines the rest of the time---sounds like a good deal to me!

fishforfun

Yeah, tell me about it. Seems like it is one of the best deals out there. I guess the grass is always greener right?

For those that have made the jump, what would you be doing if you could go back about 4 years before you punched out to better prepare for the outside world?

rickair7777

If they just wanted aviators they would do like the army and hire warrants or even enlisted. They are actually playing it pretty smart...

You need decades of experience to be a competent senior officer, but none of us joined up to drive a desk for 20 years..were all attracted by bright, shiny objects and cool jobs. So they reserve the cool jobs for young guys so they can bring in as many as possible in the hopes that a few will grow up to be good senior officers.

The up-or-out thing does more than just increase training costs.

They don't care as much as the military. But a masters will give you a few bonus points, and if the interviewer has a military background he might be able to spot an FOS. A military guy would probably not disqualify you for having FOS, but you might not shine as bright as other military candidates.

Also an FOS could limit your guard options. It should not disqualify you, but other candidates might be deemed more competitive.

If you want to intentionally FOS O-5, OK fine. But don't do that for O-4.

Those are good resume bullets, better than a masters for sure. But getting promoted to O-4 is not really a bragging point, it's kind of assumed. Not getting promoted to O-4 might raise doubts (if they find out).

Jumbo Pilot

One of the most important things for anyone who wants to pursue an airline career in the future is .. Network.. Network.. Network!!

Most if not all airlines HIGHLY value internal recommendations. So keep track of the people you fly with in the military. They might be able to vouch for you at some point in the future. Of course though.. don't give anyone a reason to NOT go to bat for you either!