Toga,

I think you're spot on. As I've showed my schedule and pay to Active duty guys, I've watched a career at a major go from being plan B to plan C in their eyes.

The simple fact of the matter is that even senior FO pay at delta is a good bit less than what is immediately available to them in other areas. With respect to pay, QOL, and career stability, there are much better opportunities. With a security clearance, the resume, and the flexibility the GI bill gives you, going to the airlines is a tough sell. I would say less than half even show interest in the airlines.

I have to say I've been totally impressed with the younger civvies I got hired with, but career wise they are a different animal in ways that I'm sure management is aware of. I started navy OCS right out of college and winged at 25. I got hired with some folks that were that same age starting off at delta! Younger folks are generally willing to work harder for less, and I have to admit that my civilian buds I've met here have a more positive attitude towards our current level of compensation. I also think it's safe to say that with the civilian flight training path comes less career options, in aviation or otherwise than the military. Dependence on the company is something easily exploitable by management. Military guys with PIC time, a retirement, or a reserve job are much more able to act as free agents, or switch carriers or careers altogether. I think that due to the rigors of life as a regional FO, most of the civvies don't get their side gig up and running until later down the road.

Not bashing civilian dudes, just some guesses as to how management sees us. The list of how management has Jedi mind tricked us mil dudes is too long to post