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Trying to figure out the best option, help!

Old 10-11-2014, 12:21 PM
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Default Trying to figure out the best option, help!

I'm currently flying a heavy, in my first assignment out of UPT. My eventual goal in life is to fly civilian (hopefully part 121) once I'm finished with active duty, and would like to do the guard/reserve gig on the side.

I'm faced with a dilemma however, as there may be an outside chance that I can switch airframes and fly a bomber; a plane I've wanted in UPT since day one. I realize however that I'd be sacrificing flight time if I were to make the transition. Additionally, I'm also thinking about the prospect of flying the T-6 next as an instructor.

I know the best option would be for me to stay put where I'm at in terms of racking up hours, but the prospect of doing more tactical flying or getting to do lots of formation flying again is so tempting. The AMC life is decent, the pay good (compared to other AF jets) but the long 24 hour days with min crew rests are not quite as appealing as the potential alternatives in my case...Do airlines look down upon single engine turboprop time, even though it would be logged as instructor time?

Anybody ever heard of a guy flying a particular aircraft, switching to something completely different, then going back to fly their original aircraft in the guard/reserves?

Thanks for any honest feedback!
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Old 10-11-2014, 01:00 PM
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My C-5 unit had, get this, F-4, F-15, A-10, B-52, B-1, KC-135, KC-10, T-38, C-130, E-2, E-3, A-6, and a U-2 guys. It's more a matter of you and the unit than anything else. I did help a guy get back into the C-5 after being a T-6 IP. Fly what you want, military experience is usually enough on its own and you'll have a tour and some command time when you next PCS.

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Old 10-11-2014, 01:22 PM
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Being able to check the IP box will be a big help when it comes time for you to apply to airlines...
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Old 10-11-2014, 02:36 PM
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Bombers as a T-1 track guy? You're probably talking about a B2 application then. Meh. Personally I did not enjoy the buff, so I bailed out of that world for trainers. Much happier now. Granted I was Reserves all along. Nuke sucks. If I was forced to fly a bomber I suppose the Bone is the only one I'd entertain for exactly that reason.

If I was in your position I'd be over the T-6 gig like white on rice. Get that qual, and then bail Active Duty as soon as you can. Get picked up as a reservist and get settled for the airline waiting game. Between T-6 IP time and your prior heavy SIC time you'd be ok for the airlines. Most airlines just care about the military box and the TPIC, they don't really care all that much about the fighter vs heavy ethnocentrism endemic to Air Force types.

Good luck. You can always lounge behind an AP until 65. Go for what you want today, life's short.
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Old 10-11-2014, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by hindsight2020 View Post
Bombers as a T-1 track guy? You're probably talking about a B2 application then. Meh. Personally I did not enjoy the buff, so I bailed out of that world for trainers. Much happier now. Granted I was Reserves all along. Nuke sucks. If I was forced to fly a bomber I suppose the Bone is the only one I'd entertain for exactly that reason.

If I was in your position I'd be over the T-6 gig like white on rice. Get that qual, and then bail Active Duty as soon as you can. Get picked up as a reservist and get settled for the airline waiting game. Between T-6 IP time and your prior heavy SIC time you'd be ok for the airlines. Most airlines just care about the military box and the TPIC, they don't really care all that much about the fighter vs heavy ethnocentrism endemic to Air Force types.

Good luck. You can always lounge behind an AP until 65. Go for what you want today, life's short.
Thanks hindsight, appreciate the advice. FWIW, yes, it would be going over to the Bone, and yes I flew T-38s in UPT. (The B-2 gig is quite appealing too, would also give me the chance to fly the T-38 again!)

But would airlines value T-6 instructor time that much? I'd assume they'd more prefer multi-engine jet time? Just want to be realistic and don't want to hose myself out of any future prospects...but hey, I also agree, life's short. Ah, decisions, decisions...
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Old 10-12-2014, 06:16 AM
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Ultimately, I would probably go fly what I always wanted to fly. The airlines will always be there. As for the flight time, I would think most airlines would consider B-1 time as pointy nose time. T-6 time seems to be good, I know many dudes getting hired with T-6 time. I think it really comes down to what is most important to you overall, to fly that airframe I've always wanted? or to fly for the airlines sooner than later?

You also have to ask yourself if you'll be looking back in 10 years wishing you took the opportunity to fly the B-1 and wishing you had. But everyones situation is different.
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Old 10-12-2014, 09:00 AM
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Any chance you can get a job flying a T-1? If the thought of being a T-1 IP isn't too vile, it's a great way to build quality time. You can get more hours than in a T-6 because of the ASD and it's all multi-engine turbine PIC. It's not a stretch to get 500 IP hours in a year if you're not afraid to fly a lot (some guys hide from flying). Not to mention, every UPT base has a T-1 reserve presence which could be a place for you to go after separating from the AD. I personally know several T-1 FAIPS who've been hired at Majors this year who have only been in their MWS for 2 years and getting the VSP. If you'd like some more details, you can PM me.
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Old 10-12-2014, 11:27 AM
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Fly what you want right now. You still have quite a ways to go before your commitment is up, might as well enjoy it. Just try to set yourself up with a good exit strategy if the airlines are your goal. End with a flying assignment, preferably one that you can parlay into a reserve assignment. White jets are perfect for this, with the added bonus of a plethora of airline guys for LOR's. Maybe fly your Bomber next and then try for UPT. I think T6 time is good to go, but if you were a T38 student, why not try for a T38 IP spot?
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Old 10-12-2014, 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by PRS Guitars View Post
Fly what you want right now. You still have quite a ways to go before your commitment is up, might as well enjoy it. Just try to set yourself up with a good exit strategy if the airlines are your goal. End with a flying assignment, preferably one that you can parlay into a reserve assignment. White jets are perfect for this, with the added bonus of a plethora of airline guys for LOR's. Maybe fly your Bomber next and then try for UPT. I think T6 time is good to go, but if you were a T38 student, why not try for a T38 IP spot?
Yes, T-38s are really what I'm shooting for if I go the UPT route. A select few have been lucky enough to make it back within the last year but rumor has it that door of opportunity is unfortunately closing very fast for us AMC types, and likely will be shut (if it isn't already) by the time I'm eligible for my next assignment.

In a perfect world I'd love to fly bombers next then UPT after that, but honestly am not sure how realistic that would be if Big Blue goes through the trouble of making this drug deal work. Moreover, I'd be hard pressed to make IP in a bomber during that assignment, and I'm thinking it may not look that good to an airline to have so little IP time in comparison to the rest of the candidate pool in my respective "peer group"?
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Old 10-12-2014, 09:09 PM
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Wheels off,

PM me. I spent 10 years in the B-2 program on 3 different assignments and now fly for a major airline. I can give you some good insight into the B-2 world. Cheers.

Thunder1
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