Is it hard to be an AF reservist and RJ PILOT
04-30-2016, 08:32 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 141
Originally Posted by galaxy flyer
It is very specific to unit and mission whether enlisting and hoping that will lead to a OTS/UPT slot. Yes, enlisted crew have a distinct advantage in getting a UPT slot. I know a Delta pilot who was a C-5 crew chief, flight engineer before going to UPT; I sent 4 loads to UPT, I went "off the street" because I was met the requirements and the in-unit favorite didn't finish college in time. Some units will only select in-unit people; others don't care. Go visit a couple of nearby units--contact a recruiter and ask.
If you get hired at a regional airline, just keep trying, take USERRA leave if the UPT slot comes your way. I sent a Atlas Whale driver to UPT--he came from Czech Republic wanted to pay back America for all they did girl his family.
Flight Rngineers and Loads are all enlisted. FEs are usually former maintainers.
GF
If you get hired at a regional airline, just keep trying, take USERRA leave if the UPT slot comes your way. I sent a Atlas Whale driver to UPT--he came from Czech Republic wanted to pay back America for all they did girl his family.
Flight Rngineers and Loads are all enlisted. FEs are usually former maintainers.
GF
05-01-2016, 04:57 AM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 282
It's "UPT" (Undergraduate Pilot Training), not "UTP".
If you go in as a loadmaster or other enlisted job, you're still going to have roughly a year on orders (full time with the Air Force away from civilian flying) as you go to Basic Military Training, tech school, survival school and then a 3-6 month seasoning tour. The reason for the seasoning tour is that you need to gain experience to finish your upgrade training and you don't do much good to the unit until you are fully qualified.
The order goes like this: selected for UPT (or some other officer job), then go to OTS then UPT. You can't go to OTS if you are not already selected for an officer position. In other words, they are not going to send a loadmaster or any enlisted person to OTS if not already selected to go to UPT. Once you graduate OTS, you are an officer. Officers can't be in enlisted slots.
If you can start at an airline where you want to stay ASAP, then you can take up to 5 years military leave to do all the military stuff and still go back to the airline keeping your seniority as if you didn't leave. It's highly recommended to do this after you finish probation at the airline.
If you go in as a loadmaster or other enlisted job, you're still going to have roughly a year on orders (full time with the Air Force away from civilian flying) as you go to Basic Military Training, tech school, survival school and then a 3-6 month seasoning tour. The reason for the seasoning tour is that you need to gain experience to finish your upgrade training and you don't do much good to the unit until you are fully qualified.
The order goes like this: selected for UPT (or some other officer job), then go to OTS then UPT. You can't go to OTS if you are not already selected for an officer position. In other words, they are not going to send a loadmaster or any enlisted person to OTS if not already selected to go to UPT. Once you graduate OTS, you are an officer. Officers can't be in enlisted slots.
If you can start at an airline where you want to stay ASAP, then you can take up to 5 years military leave to do all the military stuff and still go back to the airline keeping your seniority as if you didn't leave. It's highly recommended to do this after you finish probation at the airline.
05-01-2016, 07:29 AM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 141
Originally Posted by kme9418
It's "UPT" (Undergraduate Pilot Training), not "UTP".
If you go in as a loadmaster or other enlisted job, you're still going to have roughly a year on orders (full time with the Air Force away from civilian flying) as you go to Basic Military Training, tech school, survival school and then a 3-6 month seasoning tour. The reason for the seasoning tour is that you need to gain experience to finish your upgrade training and you don't do much good to the unit until you are fully qualified.
The order goes like this: selected for UPT (or some other officer job), then go to OTS then UPT. You can't go to OTS if you are not already selected for an officer position. In other words, they are not going to send a loadmaster or any enlisted person to OTS if not already selected to go to UPT. Once you graduate OTS, you are an officer. Officers can't be in enlisted slots.
If you can start at an airline where you want to stay ASAP, then you can take up to 5 years military leave to do all the military stuff and still go back to the airline keeping your seniority as if you didn't leave. It's highly recommended to do this after you finish probation at the airline.
If you go in as a loadmaster or other enlisted job, you're still going to have roughly a year on orders (full time with the Air Force away from civilian flying) as you go to Basic Military Training, tech school, survival school and then a 3-6 month seasoning tour. The reason for the seasoning tour is that you need to gain experience to finish your upgrade training and you don't do much good to the unit until you are fully qualified.
The order goes like this: selected for UPT (or some other officer job), then go to OTS then UPT. You can't go to OTS if you are not already selected for an officer position. In other words, they are not going to send a loadmaster or any enlisted person to OTS if not already selected to go to UPT. Once you graduate OTS, you are an officer. Officers can't be in enlisted slots.
If you can start at an airline where you want to stay ASAP, then you can take up to 5 years military leave to do all the military stuff and still go back to the airline keeping your seniority as if you didn't leave. It's highly recommended to do this after you finish probation at the airline.
One more question. I wear glasses for a 1.0 astigmatism and I understand that is ok? He has a 2.0 and he got in. I'm not sure if they issue waivers for that if it's over the limit? What even is the limit? I can't seem to find it. Also our younger brother (16) has some minor Diplopia (double vision) he wears glasses and it's corrected but would that disqualify him. He wants to be an airline pilot aND Miltary pilot.
Thanks a lot
05-01-2016, 08:33 AM
#44
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,232
Originally Posted by kme9418
If you can start at an airline where you want to stay ASAP, then you can take up to 5 years military leave to do all the military stuff and still go back to the airline keeping your seniority as if you didn't leave. It's highly recommended to do this after you finish probation at the airline.
Don't even worry about it at this point.
05-01-2016, 10:47 AM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2012
Position: left seat CRJ (again!)
Posts: 349
I did what you're considering.
I enlisted in the ANG after being hired at my first airline. That was as a flight attendant but the rules remain the same regardless of your civilian occupation. If you get hired at the airline first, you can still get military leave for your initial active duty training (IADT). Employers can't deny you the opportunity to enlist in the military.
During my enlisted time, I met the leadership in my local unit and worked with some of them in my civilian job. That didn't hurt.
I did get to start UPT but was medically grounded. I did stay in and made 20 years qualifying me for retirement.
Good luck!
I enlisted in the ANG after being hired at my first airline. That was as a flight attendant but the rules remain the same regardless of your civilian occupation. If you get hired at the airline first, you can still get military leave for your initial active duty training (IADT). Employers can't deny you the opportunity to enlist in the military.
During my enlisted time, I met the leadership in my local unit and worked with some of them in my civilian job. That didn't hurt.
I did get to start UPT but was medically grounded. I did stay in and made 20 years qualifying me for retirement.
Good luck!
