KC10 FATboy

If you are looking for a Reserve/Guard gig, DON'T overlook the opportunities in the Air Operations Center (AOC) community. For mobility folks we are called AMOS, Air Mobility Operations Squadrons (McGuire and Travis). For the Combat Air Forces, I believe they are called Combat Operations Squadrons.

There are also a handful of Guard AOGs around that have mobility and combat squadrons.

The beauty of these positions is that they can be non-flying traditional reservist (API 3 code) or an attached flying position (API 6 code). You can be a traditional reservist and do the minimal reserve participation per year, or you can be put on long term active duty orders to an AOC. In my unit, we've had folks who have lived at Ramstein now for years. We also have sent folks to Hickam and to Scott (TACC) long term. The Syracuse 152nd, those bubbas live so much at Ramstein that their EUCOM portal, NIPR, and SIPR accounts stay active.

At McGuire, we will retire 4 of 6 tanker bubbas next year. We also have a full time ART position (filled by a LtCol right now) available (DO position). We also have mobility spots available too (C130, C5, C17, anything with a "C" in front).

Since USAF/USAFR is trying to put everyone and anyone in cockpits, these AOC jobs are becoming unfilled. Don't over look them!

They can be just the thing you need to get your foot in the door while still drawing a paycheck and then moving to a flying unit of your choice. Or they can be the extra pay/work you might need while you're junior flying with your airline.

HuggyU2

Does it matter if it is airborne over the Khost Province? And for how many months at a time? That's a significant part of the overall question.

But, yes, I do understand the point you are making.

TSRAGR

Fatboy, I've actually be in contact w/one of the COS. I'm keeping all the doors open, just trying to find the best match. When the rubber hits the road, I'll take THE job over the best job though. But I've got several months to go. But as Huggy alluded too, I really only want this option if I've secured a flying job first.

pony172

Food for thought here. As painful as this might sound to your pride, look at the RPA/Regional route to a better life. (Full disclosure- did the guard fighter/regional route 2003-05)Fly for a regional to stay current and get your feet wet in the 121 game. It looks good on a resume and shows you are not a prima donna, but serious about a civilian gig. Do the RPA gig for the money/retirement. This will supplement your regional gig and you can drop all the mil leave you want. BTW, you don't deploy in an RPA( unless you volunteer for LRE) and all the time is basically title 10, including training. This means it counts toward GI Bill, early retirement, Tricare, etc. Your family also gets flight benefits while doing this as well. We have several guys going this route while waiting for the majors to call, and they are calling. A Guard/Res sqdn is also the greatest place to network with the airline bros. The Guard/Res are taking guys from all services and we cannot get enough RPA guys. This is a great way to finish your 20 and not sit in the sandbox.

TankerDriver

The Baseops.net job classifieds is a good place to look for units posting job announcements. The "sky is falling" just about everywhere.

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Sputnik

I'll be semi-contrarian. To me the only question is, do you want to stay or go? While getting a line number earlier is obviously better in terms of airline career (and life), you can go nuts chasing rainbows and what if's.

To me, looks like you want to get out, and are well prepped to do so.

You won't hear anything till six months out at the earliest, so far too early to panic. Your numbers to me look like you will go straight to a major.

FWIW, sample size of one. I got invite about 3 months out. Interviewed and offered a class that was one week from my listed avail date, pretty much finished OE on terminal. I consider myself extremely lucky, but certainly nothing special. I think you'll do fine, whichever route you decide.

I stayed till it felt like time to go, in my case I got a pension. I have zero regrets about staying, and even less about leaving. Everyone gets out sooner or later.

Good luck

TSRAGR

Sputnik, I've thought a lot about that question and up until last week I was in the air a bit. I'm pretty committed now. The only hanging chads I have are lining up a TR job that will supplement the income until I'm lucky enough to get the call.

I hope everyone that read the initial post didn't see it as a 'pity me' type post. I appreciate all the info here. What I don't want to do, is look from the outside, think the grass is the freakin' greenest ever and punch w/little clue if it really was a good idea.

Just as of the last few weeks/months, UAL has slowed hiring forecast, others have cut outlooks and stopped/changed dates for taking new aircraft. The cycles in this business aren't really for the faint of heart, not to mention I hear some of the majors are upset w/military folks getting hired and dropping mil leave (which I get), and that only hurts dudes like me.

So, regardless, unless something really wild happens, I'll start the process in Nov and continue doing everything I can to make it happen. And, I'll fly more.

TSRAGR

Sputnik

Didnt see it as a pity party in the least. It was a very scary time for me, and I had a pension to ease the pain. I get it. Not by nature a gambler either.

Here's why I recommend thinking in terms of stay or go vice seniority numbers. Its something you can control. The airlines....

Frankly I'm bullish on the industry. With the retirement numbers, unless they decide to shrink they have to keep hiring. Some more than others. And yet....

I was a FAIP in late 90s. Everyone, and I mean damn near everyone, who could punch did. I heard every form of lecture about why the time was now. And they were totally right. And then they werent, for no fault of their own. Seeing that scarred me on the industry.

Contmplated getting out in 07 (ish), saw all these guys going UPS. Then they got furloughed. After moving to ANC. Wasn't nearly as bad as early 2000"s, but sobered me up about my ability to predict the future.

If you separate in pursuit of x, y or z even though you really want to stay in, you will probably have some regrets about what might have been. Especially depending how x, y or z turn out. Though you can probably ameliorate that somewhat with guard/res service.

On the other hand, if you really want out but stay for the money/security of a pension, you will be miserable. Everyone has served with that one guy who stayed one assignment too many. Dont be that guy.

Your posts sounded like you wanted to go, but faced a gut check about reality of providing for a family.

You are right in sweet spot of what the majors are looking for and you are doing everything right. Pretty sure it'll work out just fine.

Good luck.

Hacker15e

The issue at FedEx that was reported on The Pilot Network on Facebook was that military guys were fudging their availability dates. Saying they were available when they really weren't (either because of reserve duty, terminal leave, separation dates, etc).

So, all summer as Purple has been trying to quickly place CJO-holders into classes, some guys have had to say "no" even though their applications said they're available.

FlewNavy

Were the CJOs rescinded?