Originally Posted by
Y AirPirate
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My personal decision was that I wanted to make my break with the military clean and irrevocable. That chapter of my life was over…it was time to move on.
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THIS IS A FACT, not an opinion…I have been told directly by both a recruiter and a Chief Pilot at a Major airline who have looked at my resume that they view “making the tough decision” to work at a Regional “very favorably”, and they view military guys who will not even apply to a Regional “very unfavorably”. The quotes are intentional…these are the exact words they used. I know a number of retired guys in that second group…they view a Regional as beneath them, would rather do a sim gig (and fly 0 hours), and expect a Major to call them cold. Oddly, they all seem to come from the same background…
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FWIW, at my INTERVIEW the guy told me that “we know a guy with your experience is not here for a career, and we’re OK with that”…I don’t think they will hold it against you for seizing the obvious opportunity to move on to better things, as long as you do so professionally and IAW guidance.
YAP
For the most part great post. I can go terminal in March and am officially retired 30 June and have been going through the exact same thought processes as many others in this forum. I did want to highlight 3 of your points.
1. A year ago I would've told you that a job in the government would be an OK alternative to airlines. Maybe a little less money but rarely away from home and at least the job is stable. No longer do I feel that way. Obviously if it was sell my house and starve or work for Uncle Sam I'd go gov, but I've really don't like the way things have turned against both the military and GS workers. If there is any viable alternative I'm staying away from the government tit.
2. I have to assume you're referring to fighter pilots when you put people into group 2 (if I'm wrong by all means correct me). If so you're probably listening more to our bltching and not seeing our actions. I know several guys 1st hand who are currently working for regionals with fighter backgrounds waiting for the call. None of us WANT to work for the regionals, but I'll do it for the reasons you listed if the big boys don't call by June 30.
3. I was happy to read the feedback you got at your regional interview. Glad I won't have to figure out some extravagant story about how I want a career making a fraction of what my peers are making for way more work.