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Is it hard to be an AF reservist and RJ PILOT

Old 04-29-2016, 08:21 AM
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Some good stuff in this thread.
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Old 04-29-2016, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Billy738 View Post
How would the 2 weekends a month and 2 weeks in the summer work? Do you tell crew schedule that you need those days off and what about training and deployments? Can I take leave? I'm just about done with college and would like to do both



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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.
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Old 04-30-2016, 08:03 AM
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True that! And that's a C-5, go to fighters and double the time at the unit.

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Old 04-30-2016, 08:28 AM
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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.
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Old 04-30-2016, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Dirtdiver View Post
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.
Yeah I would think its not a cake walk getting to UTP but if I were to get picked up by a RES or GUARD unit could I go to OTS and wait for a pilot slot at UTP? Also could I start out doing a non pilot position in the AF and still pursue my airline job? Or will my airline only let me get leave and the day's needed off for a pilot job.

Thanks to everyone for your help
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Old 04-30-2016, 06:28 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by kme9418 View Post
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.
Yeah I didn't think it would really be only 2 days a month. Did you fly for the 5-7 days or other things for the unit?
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Old 04-30-2016, 06:46 PM
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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
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Old 04-30-2016, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by galaxy flyer View Post
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
Wow thanks for the great info. So you think I should at least join and get in a unit as a loadmaster or something first? Can I got to OTS, be a load master, hopefully get selected for UTP and be a pilot? Sorry I'm confused and trying to learn!
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Old 04-30-2016, 07:21 PM
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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.
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Old 04-30-2016, 08:09 PM
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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
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