Originally Posted by
ClaraShip
My goal is to not do or say something that will prevent me from receiving something I might have, such as severance pay.
Don't do or say anything which will degrade your competitive ranking. That will be helpful in the reserves, and some majors have been known to review your FITREPs. You'll most likely make O4 immediately in the reserves if you were a "regular dude" on AD...unless you have something detrimental (DUI, PFA failures, < 3.0 FITREP score in any category, etc).
Here's what I have seen/remember in the past, but things change so you may want to do your own research...
Originally Posted by
ClaraShip
1) I heard you should never tell people you're getting out until you drop your letter. When do I have to drop the letter?
You don't, they'll notify you. But don't tell anyone you're planning on FOSing or resigning...that will just guarantee you're cannon fodder.
Originally Posted by
ClaraShip
2) When should I sign up for TAPS and does that let the cat out of the bag to BUPERS? How would they know?
BUPERS won't know as far as I know. You can probably sign up for TAPS on your own (if you're at a big base) and either get time off or take leave if you really want to keep it on the DL.
Originally Posted by
ClaraShip
3) Would dropping my letter or attending TAPS (or anything else you can think of) make me ineligible for the severance pay?
Don't drop a letter, as far as I know that would make you ineligible for the payout. While you might look slightly better in the eyes of airline employers as a resignation vice invol SEP, it's probably not worth losing the chunk of change.
Originally Posted by
ClaraShip
4) How exactly does one obtain the severance pay? Would I have to sit on my butt going months past my MSR watching my buddies get better hiring seniority in the airlines?
In the past I've seen them give you a drop-dead date by which you must be out, but you have the option of leaving sooner if desired. That option would not eb considered resignation, but would fall under the invol sep program so you'd still get the payout.
Originally Posted by
ClaraShip
5) When should I interview with the airlines?
You tell them your availability date in the application, and they'll typically decide when to interview you based on that. If it's six months out and they hire you, they'll put you in the pool until you go on leave. It can vary by airline, but most are willing to lead the problem.
Originally Posted by
ClaraShip
6) Considering I will have 2 months terminal leave, should I plan on classing up with the airlines then?
You can if you want...assuming you've been hired and offered a class date. But let the airline know in advance too.
Originally Posted by
ClaraShip
7) If I'm committed to getting out, should I take the DH bonus?
I dunno. Find out if you have to pay it back if they kick you out for FOS.
One more thing...if you take the sep bonus, there are restrictions on reserve pay and retirement. IIRC you'll forfeit reserve pay until you pay back the sep bonus. Something like that. But I'd still affiliate with the reserves even if you drill for free until you get airline life sorted out, just to keep your options open. Finish probation, then decide whether to stick with the reserves or not.