1Seat 1Engine

All depends on what you want to do and what you get your rewards from.

For a lot of airline guys who only think in terms of max $$$ for min time, it doesn't pass the common sense test, and by that logic they're right.

If you're young, single, and just want to have a blast? Especially if you have a chance at an F-22/35/15/16. You'll never get that chance again.

USERRA helps ease the pain and when you've had enough and you're ready to come back, you haven't lost anything.

It's a ton of work if you look at it as work.

I wouldn't commute to a USAFR job. Commute to your airline job, or if you're lucky, find a place where both are co-located.

I enjoyed every minute of being a fighter pilot even though it was 60+ hours of work and a ton of deployments. Right up until around age 35...then it started wearing on me.

DarinFred

All depends on what you want. After flying 10 years on active duty, it literally sucked the life out of me. I loved flying the Hog, but that was only 5% of my job. I tried the Reserves but after an injury and realizing it was just like AD, I quit again. It different for everyone.

Buy an RV-3, move to the beach, and have fun. The Air Force is not the sinking ship I'd want to attach myself to.

Caveat - I may be a little bitter...

rickair7777

Tough, tough call. Depends on your level of desire or military flying, what type airplane, family circumstance, and geography.

If all the stars line up, it might be a good thing. Geography will be important, especially with family.

Scraggly Heron

Don't do it. There are more than a few of us leaving at the 15 year point--the Air Force is a sinking ship. I truly hope it turns around, but that's not going to happen in the next decade and not until the F-35 debacle plays out.

Keep in mind that there's a 10 year commitment associated with AF pilot training, and they're exploring the possibility of bumping that up to 15 years. They wouldn't be considering upping the commitment to 15 years if people were staying of their own volition.

FDXLAG

It has been a while but I would do it in a heartbeat for the right Guard unit. Not so sure about a reserve job.

Chuckie

If it's on your bucket list to fly whatever it is in the USAF/ANG you want to fly, then go for it. Just realize that everything has it's positives and negatives. In the military, I think it's fair to say that you'll start with the positives outweighing the negatives, and that balance will change over time. If the negatives take over for you, then it's time to consider jumping ship if they'll let you.

The big plus with going Guard is that you can be part-time as you fulfill your service commitment if you don't enjoy it as much, or go full-time if it is available and increase the live-at-home time while you're on mil leave. It can be a great option and a complement to an airline job.

LOBO

While on MIL Leave you receive a Profit Sharing Check and monthly Goal checks and, you also receive your estimated 401k payout based on the ALV of the category you left prior to starting the MIL Leave and this amount will be deposited into your 401k approx 1 month after your return from MIL leave.

SaltyDog

Caveat: USERRA protects pension compensation. Not pay. Have no clue how Delta Profit Sharing is treated or the monthly Goal Checks, but recommend any MIL confirm with their ALPA experts at ALPA.
In many cases, the standard for MIL is how are other non active employees covered when on a leave-personal, medical, etc (USERRA calls a leave a 'furlough'). Pay treatment is usually contract. Pension is USERRA. If current MIL is being paid the Profit and Goal dollars other inactive employees get, super cool.
As an aside, one can argue for Pension based on seat one could have held except on Military. Example: FO on Mil for 2 years. Awarded a Captain position (or could have been awarded based on seniority) one year into military. Upon return starts Captain training and should be reimbursed Pension for one year FO and one year Captain. Same for FO to FO on higher paying seat. Best way IMO is to bid accordingly before departing on MIL or during MIL. Leaves a record.

GucciBoy

How can you get profit sharing if you aren't drawing a salary from which to derive the profit sharing percentage?


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JRufus

From a friend at a major, it is based on the seniority number immediately above...