yerongard

I recently interviewed with my local ANG unit.

I have a good feeling that I will be offered the position in the herc unit because I know quite a few people internally that are in a hiring position.

I'm under 26 currently at a regional airline with about 2000tt, bachelors degree, 2 type ratings and all that I need to go to a major airline.

I do have the military flying bug and a desire to serve but my question is from guys that are currently doing part time airline part time guard if you think it is a good time to get in or if you think that sticking civilian is a better decision in the long run.

A few guard guys I have talked to have said they would do it if they were in my shoes and a couple have told me to steer clear right now due to crappy deployment schedules and major airline being as good as it is that it would be unwise to sort of throw that away.

Your take?



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galaxy flyer

Go Guard, you won't regret it. A year after UPT, you'll be at a legacy. Mil pilots are Ickes up very quickly; just be careful not yo get roped into a technician or post-seasoning AD tour.

GF

Otterbox

Guard is a good gig. Stay away from the AD side of the house if you want to be an airline pilot this decade.

Your hours are likely too low to be competitive for most of the majors as a purebred 121 background applicant. Military time/guard background will diversify your resume to make you more competitive (having 121 and military time vs applying with just one or the other).

I think a seasoning tour isn't a bad thing, Depending on length as it will allow you to get more hours under your belt, and become PIC qual'd where, depending on regional, that might be a few more years off on the 121 side.

Albief15

You never have to compare yourself after you have been benchmarked. Its a great experience, you will make lifelong friends, and you will serve a grateful nation.

You also will have a job if the **** hits the fan. That's worth something too. I considered the ANG good career insurance.

Packrat

Besides all the other guys said, there's a great deal of pride and satisfaction when you look back on your career in having served your country. To paraphrase the line from "Patton": "When your grandson asks you what you did in the great WWII, you won't have to say, 'I shoveled **** in Louisiana.'"

Tweetdrvr

Do it, and you won't regret it. The flying will challenge you and make you better, keep an open mind and a low profile and your classmates will benefit from your knowledge and experience.

There was a guy at Laughlin about 18 months ago who got his ANG pilot slot after starting indoc at Delta. His parents brought him to the U.S. from eastern European country when he was a kid. He wanted to give back to his adopted country that has given him so much.

He got his first regional job at 19, he was going through UPT as a former RJ Captain, a Delta new hire and always had a smile on his face.

galaxy flyer

I sent a guy with a similar story to UPT about 14 years ago--he was an Atlas 744 pilot.

You will do a seasoning tour back from UPT, but rumors have say the AFRC is forcing UPT grads into long AD tours or a technician slot for up to 4 years.

GF

yerongard

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll take as much as I can get. The AD tour or technician slot is my worry. Besides missing out on a good seniority number at a legacy but I doubt that I would get on in the next 3 years anyways. I think it would be close though with how much hiring the majors will be doing in the upcoming years.


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HuggyU2

You're the only one that knows what you want to do.
If you want to serve, then do so. But accept that your service is a career path unto its own.
If you believe you'll feel stuck and unable to get to your dream airline job, don't. You will be miserable.

PRS Guitars

Yes, do it.

Get your apps in at the majors now too. You might get hired before you start UPT, and you'll be King Kong. The job satisfaction is very high, and the flying is great. You'll get to fly an airplane in a way that a civilian pilot never will. The health care is cheaper than most airlines, you'll get a GI bill to pass to your kids, you'll get a small pension at age 60. Most importantly, you won't spend the rest of your life wondering "what if...".