Is it hard to be an AF reservist and RJ PILOT
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 282
The phrase from the recruiting commercials is "one weekend a month and two weeks a year". If you're a flyer FORGET about that. As a civilian airline pilot and a traditional reservist, I typically worked 5-7 days per month at the reserve unit IN ORDER TO STAY CURRENT, PROFICIENT, AND USEFUL TO THE UNIT.
#34
It's very competitive to get hired by a Guard/AFRES unit. You don't just stroll in and sign up. Probably will take a year or more of testing/interviewing/physicals. Most units only get a few UPT slots a year, and your biggest competition will be guys already in the unit either non-flying or engineer/loadmaster/crewchief who've finished their degree.
Start by doing the paperwork with a recruiter. You can always pull the plug.
Start by doing the paperwork with a recruiter. You can always pull the plug.
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 141
It's very competitive to get hired by a Guard/AFRES unit. You don't just stroll in and sign up. Probably will take a year or more of testing/interviewing/physicals. Most units only get a few UPT slots a year, and your biggest competition will be guys already in the unit either non-flying or engineer/loadmaster/crewchief who've finished their degree.
Start by doing the paperwork with a recruiter. You can always pull the plug.
Start by doing the paperwork with a recruiter. You can always pull the plug.
Thanks to everyone for your help
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 141
The phrase from the recruiting commercials is "one weekend a month and two weeks a year". If you're a flyer FORGET about that. As a civilian airline pilot and a traditional reservist, I typically worked 5-7 days per month at the reserve unit IN ORDER TO STAY CURRENT, PROFICIENT, AND USEFUL TO THE UNIT.
#37
In my experience as a SQ/DO and OG; you will be interviewed, selected and sent to OTS, followed fairly quickly (1-3 months) entry into UPT. Before the interview is a variable--in-unit vs off the street, passing a demanding physical (much more than a Class I), written exams (aptitude tests), the inrerviews at squadron and, often, wing level commander. If AR Reserve, the command also has a screening board after the unit has made a selection (more like a recommendation from the wing commander to the board). I went off the street, six weeks from approved to OTS, UPT 2 months after commissioning.
As you can see, lots of hurdles. If you want to serve and meet the physical standards, joining might help speed things up, as many units, especially ANG, prefer to select from in-unit people.
Once at UPT, unit equipment will decide which track you go down--T-1 or T-38. That's a year long school, plus conversion to unit type. Heavies typically take 3-5 months of additional training, fighters up to a year. It's like UPT all over in fighters. Back from all that, the unit will have a " seasoning" tour to gain experience.everyone of the pilots I sent thru in the 99-2005time frame are now at legacies, FDX or UPS. And have thousands of command hours due to the various wars and contingencies.
How much time at the unit depends greatly on the mission. As a LT, you won't have much for additional duties, but fly. In heavies, it's mostly fly, if the schedule has open trips/missions. Fighters fly, but kits of tactics and intelligence study.
GF
As you can see, lots of hurdles. If you want to serve and meet the physical standards, joining might help speed things up, as many units, especially ANG, prefer to select from in-unit people.
Once at UPT, unit equipment will decide which track you go down--T-1 or T-38. That's a year long school, plus conversion to unit type. Heavies typically take 3-5 months of additional training, fighters up to a year. It's like UPT all over in fighters. Back from all that, the unit will have a " seasoning" tour to gain experience.everyone of the pilots I sent thru in the 99-2005time frame are now at legacies, FDX or UPS. And have thousands of command hours due to the various wars and contingencies.
How much time at the unit depends greatly on the mission. As a LT, you won't have much for additional duties, but fly. In heavies, it's mostly fly, if the schedule has open trips/missions. Fighters fly, but kits of tactics and intelligence study.
GF
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 141
In my experience as a SQ/DO and OG; you will be interviewed, selected and sent to OTS, followed fairly quickly (1-3 months) entry into UPT. Before the interview is a variable--in-unit vs off the street, passing a demanding physical (much more than a Class I), written exams (aptitude tests), the inrerviews at squadron and, often, wing level commander. If AR Reserve, the command also has a screening board after the unit has made a selection (more like a recommendation from the wing commander to the board). I went off the street, six weeks from approved to OTS, UPT 2 months after commissioning.
As you can see, lots of hurdles. If you want to serve and meet the physical standards, joining might help speed things up, as many units, especially ANG, prefer to select from in-unit people.
Once at UPT, unit equipment will decide which track you go down--T-1 or T-38. That's a year long school, plus conversion to unit type. Heavies typically take 3-5 months of additional training, fighters up to a year. It's like UPT all over in fighters. Back from all that, the unit will have a " seasoning" tour to gain experience.everyone of the pilots I sent thru in the 99-2005time frame are now at legacies, FDX or UPS. And have thousands of command hours due to the various wars and contingencies.
How much time at the unit depends greatly on the mission. As a LT, you won't have much for additional duties, but fly. In heavies, it's mostly fly, if the schedule has open trips/missions. Fighters fly, but kits of tactics and intelligence study.
GF
As you can see, lots of hurdles. If you want to serve and meet the physical standards, joining might help speed things up, as many units, especially ANG, prefer to select from in-unit people.
Once at UPT, unit equipment will decide which track you go down--T-1 or T-38. That's a year long school, plus conversion to unit type. Heavies typically take 3-5 months of additional training, fighters up to a year. It's like UPT all over in fighters. Back from all that, the unit will have a " seasoning" tour to gain experience.everyone of the pilots I sent thru in the 99-2005time frame are now at legacies, FDX or UPS. And have thousands of command hours due to the various wars and contingencies.
How much time at the unit depends greatly on the mission. As a LT, you won't have much for additional duties, but fly. In heavies, it's mostly fly, if the schedule has open trips/missions. Fighters fly, but kits of tactics and intelligence study.
GF
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 141
Also do you guys know what would be better? To try and get on with the AF or go to airline. Some people say go to wherever you can first. But more than likely it'll be airline the way things are going now pretty much hiring anyone. Just not sure if it would be worth going to an airline for 6 months then leaving for milatary training for 2-3 years. Or if it would be good to at least get on with an airline so I have a spot somewhere.
#40
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