Advice needed.. another Mil to Civ...
06-23-2015, 06:26 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 305
Jumping ship,
A couple thoughts from someone who has been in your shoes - twice actually.
1). DON'T commute! Your family has obviously learned how to blossom where they are planted with the military moving you around over the last 22 years. Pick a domicile at the airline you are hired at and move to it as soon as practical. The difference is unreal -- way more money to be made, more time off and and way less stress.
2). Why wait until next summer? Unless you have commitment remaining there is no reason to wait a year. You could have your ducks in a row and be starting class 6 months from now. The extra 6-12 months working for Uncle Sam is not worth it at only an extra 2.5% per year to your retirement check. Legacies are hiring 1000/yr each so you are losing 500 seniority numbers minimum by waiting. That's huge over the course of your next career.
3). Money - I retired as an O-5 with 23 yrs in 2012 and started with a major airline during terminal leave. I retired from a base with a fairly low BAH rate so that can influence your numbers. However, my retirement check plus my first year airline pay EXCEEDED what I made as an active duty 23 yr O-5. My second year my airline pay ALONE exceeded my active duty pay. So, in my opinion your concerns over money are a bit unfounded.
4). In today's hiring environment be prepared for multiple offers and know which airline you really want to work for. I've had two friends recently get hired by two majors and have to make the tough call on which one to go with.
5). Pay the money and do some interview preparation with the pros.
6). Go get your FAA Class 1 Medical now. That way if there are any issues or waivers required you have time to lead turn it. Medical waivers can take some time. Talk to local buds about who the best FAA AME (flight surgeon) in your area is. Remember this exam is NOT the time to tell the AME about every ache, pain, ailment that you have. The correct answer is you are a healthy 40+ year old that is healthy as a horse.
7). Don't stress about the airline training programs. They all are spoon fed compared to some of your military training. Even a fighter puke can make it through by just staying awake in class and the simulator.
8). Feel free to PM me for more info. Best wishes and thanks for your service.
Thunder1
A couple thoughts from someone who has been in your shoes - twice actually.
1). DON'T commute! Your family has obviously learned how to blossom where they are planted with the military moving you around over the last 22 years. Pick a domicile at the airline you are hired at and move to it as soon as practical. The difference is unreal -- way more money to be made, more time off and and way less stress.
2). Why wait until next summer? Unless you have commitment remaining there is no reason to wait a year. You could have your ducks in a row and be starting class 6 months from now. The extra 6-12 months working for Uncle Sam is not worth it at only an extra 2.5% per year to your retirement check. Legacies are hiring 1000/yr each so you are losing 500 seniority numbers minimum by waiting. That's huge over the course of your next career.
3). Money - I retired as an O-5 with 23 yrs in 2012 and started with a major airline during terminal leave. I retired from a base with a fairly low BAH rate so that can influence your numbers. However, my retirement check plus my first year airline pay EXCEEDED what I made as an active duty 23 yr O-5. My second year my airline pay ALONE exceeded my active duty pay. So, in my opinion your concerns over money are a bit unfounded.
4). In today's hiring environment be prepared for multiple offers and know which airline you really want to work for. I've had two friends recently get hired by two majors and have to make the tough call on which one to go with.
5). Pay the money and do some interview preparation with the pros.
6). Go get your FAA Class 1 Medical now. That way if there are any issues or waivers required you have time to lead turn it. Medical waivers can take some time. Talk to local buds about who the best FAA AME (flight surgeon) in your area is. Remember this exam is NOT the time to tell the AME about every ache, pain, ailment that you have. The correct answer is you are a healthy 40+ year old that is healthy as a horse.
7). Don't stress about the airline training programs. They all are spoon fed compared to some of your military training. Even a fighter puke can make it through by just staying awake in class and the simulator.
8). Feel free to PM me for more info. Best wishes and thanks for your service.
Thunder1
06-23-2015, 07:02 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 328
Originally Posted by Thunder1
Jumping ship,
A couple thoughts from someone who has been in your shoes - twice actually.
1). DON'T commute! Your family has obviously learned how to blossom where they are planted with the military moving you around over the last 22 years. Pick a domicile at the airline you are hired at and move to it as soon as practical. The difference is unreal -- way more money to be made, more time off and and way less stress.
2). Why wait until next summer? Unless you have commitment remaining there is no reason to wait a year. You could have your ducks in a row and be starting class 6 months from now. The extra 6-12 months working for Uncle Sam is not worth it at only an extra 2.5% per year to your retirement check. Legacies are hiring 1000/yr each so you are losing 500 seniority numbers minimum by waiting. That's huge over the course of your next career.
3). Money - I retired as an O-5 with 23 yrs in 2012 and started with a major airline during terminal leave. I retired from a base with a fairly low BAH rate so that can influence your numbers. However, my retirement check plus my first year airline pay EXCEEDED what I made as an active duty 23 yr O-5. My second year my airline pay ALONE exceeded my active duty pay. So, in my opinion your concerns over money are a bit unfounded.
4). In today's hiring environment be prepared for multiple offers and know which airline you really want to work for. I've had two friends recently get hired by two majors and have to make the tough call on which one to go with.
5). Pay the money and do some interview preparation with the pros.
6). Go get your FAA Class 1 Medical now. That way if there are any issues or waivers required you have time to lead turn it. Medical waivers can take some time. Talk to local buds about who the best FAA AME (flight surgeon) in your area is. Remember this exam is NOT the time to tell the AME about every ache, pain, ailment that you have. The correct answer is you are a healthy 40+ year old that is healthy as a horse.
7). Don't stress about the airline training programs. They all are spoon fed compared to some of your military training. Even a fighter puke can make it through by just staying awake in class and the simulator.
8). Feel free to PM me for more info. Best wishes and thanks for your service.
Thunder1
A couple thoughts from someone who has been in your shoes - twice actually.
1). DON'T commute! Your family has obviously learned how to blossom where they are planted with the military moving you around over the last 22 years. Pick a domicile at the airline you are hired at and move to it as soon as practical. The difference is unreal -- way more money to be made, more time off and and way less stress.
2). Why wait until next summer? Unless you have commitment remaining there is no reason to wait a year. You could have your ducks in a row and be starting class 6 months from now. The extra 6-12 months working for Uncle Sam is not worth it at only an extra 2.5% per year to your retirement check. Legacies are hiring 1000/yr each so you are losing 500 seniority numbers minimum by waiting. That's huge over the course of your next career.
3). Money - I retired as an O-5 with 23 yrs in 2012 and started with a major airline during terminal leave. I retired from a base with a fairly low BAH rate so that can influence your numbers. However, my retirement check plus my first year airline pay EXCEEDED what I made as an active duty 23 yr O-5. My second year my airline pay ALONE exceeded my active duty pay. So, in my opinion your concerns over money are a bit unfounded.
4). In today's hiring environment be prepared for multiple offers and know which airline you really want to work for. I've had two friends recently get hired by two majors and have to make the tough call on which one to go with.
5). Pay the money and do some interview preparation with the pros.
6). Go get your FAA Class 1 Medical now. That way if there are any issues or waivers required you have time to lead turn it. Medical waivers can take some time. Talk to local buds about who the best FAA AME (flight surgeon) in your area is. Remember this exam is NOT the time to tell the AME about every ache, pain, ailment that you have. The correct answer is you are a healthy 40+ year old that is healthy as a horse.
7). Don't stress about the airline training programs. They all are spoon fed compared to some of your military training. Even a fighter puke can make it through by just staying awake in class and the simulator.
8). Feel free to PM me for more info. Best wishes and thanks for your service.
Thunder1
Can't stress number 5 enough. Pay for interview prep.
It's like 200-300 bucks invested for a million dollar career.
Spend the money and DO IT.
(I'm not affiliated with any interview prep company in any way, shape, or form -- just passing the gouge).
06-27-2015, 04:33 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Posts: 256
For comparisons sake...
My retirement date is early 2017, and am expecting an availability date of early Oct 16 (terminal leave).
My apps are 99% complete, just working on getting the internals recs and referrals knocked out.
For your ATP - consider Downtown Aviation. Ton of information on here about them.
My retirement date is early 2017, and am expecting an availability date of early Oct 16 (terminal leave).
My apps are 99% complete, just working on getting the internals recs and referrals knocked out.
For your ATP - consider Downtown Aviation. Ton of information on here about them.
06-27-2015, 05:27 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2012
Position: left seat CRJ (again!)
Posts: 349
Retired ARNG here.
There are several who point out that living in base is extremely valuable and they're 110% right! Your retirement pay and 1st year pay will make a move to just about anywhere a non-issue.
My retirement pay, while not the same as yours (AD vs. NG retirement), has made a world of difference for my family and me.
Good luck!
There are several who point out that living in base is extremely valuable and they're 110% right! Your retirement pay and 1st year pay will make a move to just about anywhere a non-issue.
My retirement pay, while not the same as yours (AD vs. NG retirement), has made a world of difference for my family and me.
Good luck!
06-28-2015, 10:42 AM
#16
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 34
Thanks to all for the superb advice!
I will likely have to accept some form of commute (depending on who hires me) for the first 2-4 years to allow my kids graduate from what we consider the perfect high school for them. This is a large part of my decision to retire from the military.
Appreciate your time and wisdom.
I will likely have to accept some form of commute (depending on who hires me) for the first 2-4 years to allow my kids graduate from what we consider the perfect high school for them. This is a large part of my decision to retire from the military.
Appreciate your time and wisdom.
06-28-2015, 06:43 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 2,297
Originally Posted by jumping ship
Thanks to all for the superb advice!
I will likely have to accept some form of commute (depending on who hires me) for the first 2-4 years to allow my kids graduate from what we consider the perfect high school for them. This is a large part of my decision to retire from the military.
Appreciate your time and wisdom.
I will likely have to accept some form of commute (depending on who hires me) for the first 2-4 years to allow my kids graduate from what we consider the perfect high school for them. This is a large part of my decision to retire from the military.
Appreciate your time and wisdom.
Don't sweat the commute. The military board seems to be pretty anti commute for some reason. It's not that bad (downright easy with a JS reservation system). I'm with you, I am commuting so that we can live where we want, keep the kids in one school with friends etc, and be near family, oh and to ski.
The key is to embrace it and own it. Be productive on the flights, even if that just means reading or watching movies. Most importantly, never feel sorry for yourself.
03-23-2016, 11:06 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
Originally Posted by PRS Guitars
Yeah,
Don't sweat the commute. The military board seems to be pretty anti commute for some reason. It's not that bad (downright easy with a JS reservation system). I'm with you, I am commuting so that we can live where we want, keep the kids in one school with friends etc, and be near family, oh and to ski.
The key is to embrace it and own it. Be productive on the flights, even if that just means reading or watching movies. Most importantly, never feel sorry for yourself.
Don't sweat the commute. The military board seems to be pretty anti commute for some reason. It's not that bad (downright easy with a JS reservation system). I'm with you, I am commuting so that we can live where we want, keep the kids in one school with friends etc, and be near family, oh and to ski.
The key is to embrace it and own it. Be productive on the flights, even if that just means reading or watching movies. Most importantly, never feel sorry for yourself.
I also used to think of Bruce Lee's "..be like water..." line when I commuted. I've been stuck in airports, airport hotels, and once even at the Starkville airport locked outside an FBO getting eaten by mosquitos while I waited for the weather to break enough for me to get into MEM and get to work...
Its 100% attitude. I live in domcile now and love it. Bidding reserve and being home, and an easy 20 minute bus ride the HKG airport make life pretty easy. However, when I commuted, I got a lot of work done on the laptop, read a few books, and consumed vast amounts of sushi since it was never the wife or kid's favorite dinner out. Flying GA to work made me feel like the luckiest, richest guy in the world when I parked across the ramp from the FedEx hub. About once a year--I got to make the call of shame home and say I was in an airport hotel somewhere. However, once flying into ECP and looking out at the beach and the bay, it was all good. Happy wife, happy family, and a little more hassle to get to work....it wasn't bad, and I was very happy.
Having done both, what I will say is there you leave a bit of money on the table as a commuter. If you are retired military, or have something on the side, the answer may be "so what?".
What I will say is you do not need to automatically move the first month of your new job. Make as few changes as possible until you learn the new gig, then you can decide what will work best for you and your family. No matter how much studying you do, you won't know what you like and do not like about the lifestyle until you try it out a while. I am in domicile now, but the NEXT place I live will be within a 30 minute drive to the slopes somewhere. I'll commute again, and when I'm hiking, biking, or skiing in the hills it will be worth it.
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