Airframe

Obviously majors prefer prior military flying, but does prior enlisted experience in active, reserves or guard help at all to get an interview at a major at this point?

If so are there any particular jobs in the military they like to see or do they not care either way if it wasn't flying?

TrakTrak

I was prior enlisted, just 7 years removed since coming to AA. I can't say if it helped or not, but since most mil types in the majors were operators, maintainers have spent a lot of time around airplanes. Especially the Crew Chiefs.

rickair7777

Military service of any sort should be at least a slight net positive in the eyes of airlines. It shows an ability to work in an organizational environment. Also there are many ex-military airline pilots, so someone on the interview panel will probably be inclined to favor you.

I can't think of any MOS which would be detrimental in the eyes of airlines. They would prefer that you don't have dangerous hobbies like skydiving or rock climbing (best not to mention them if you do), but even if you're airborne rated or a SOF type I doubt they would assume that your military skills would necessarily carry over into civilian hobbies. If they ask about your high-risk military skills, I would say it's something you're glad you did, but are also glad to have behind you (true enough in my case).

Hopefully you have an honorable (or at the very least general-under-honorable) and no disciplinary issues.

Airframe

Thx. Majors are all looking for extra stuff non-flying related like volunteer work, HR work at airlines, etc so I figured this couldn't hurt.

awax

Airlines prefer qualified and experienced candidates, the military is just one place to gain that flying experience.

Bandit30

It's on most apps (have you served in the Armed Forces?), so yes I think it's a bonus. If not for getting the interview, than at least to bring some diversity at the interview. I was able to use a story of my enlisted experience (USMC grunt) at the interview. Obviously flying in the military is preferred but most people are very patriotic and respect your service. Good luck and thanks for your service!

F224

The senior guys in the military often tell the new pilots to be nice to their crew chiefs. That's because some day, you will be flying copilot for them at a major airline.

I am one of those former crew chiefs, and there are a lot of us out there. The service experience is always resume enhancing.

viper548

Be nice to your loadmaster too.

TrakTrak

Crew Dawgs ROCK!!!!

F224

The interesting thing in my case is that the USAF Captain who gave that advice to the new unit pilot in front of me, they both wound up junior to me at NWA. Both of them were and are great guys.

It' a small world in aviation, be nice to the people you meet on the way up, because you will meet them again on the way back down.