Originally Posted by
TSRAGR
I'm about 3 months from my chance to 7-day opt and separate from AD AF. I'm also only 5 years from full retirement. I've heard the argument round and round about seniority in the airline business and I understand it's importance.
I've also seen dozens upon dozens of dudes on this forum and others, posting ridiculous qualifications and not hearing a peep. I have a large family and can't afford to not have a job, and a regional won't really pay the bills. On top of that, for some reason, flying reserve jobs are getting much more difficult to find.
Here are my stats:
TT2350
Turbine PIC (all multi) 1900
Military Instructor/Evaluator
Functional check pilot
All fighter time
No derogatory history (2x speeding tix)
I'm avail March of '17, and understand the earliest I'd hear is probably 6 months out, which unfortunately is about the time I'd tell the AF I'm departing.
I know opinions are like @ss....and don't ever take advice from a pilot, but I'm all ears (eyes). I'd love to hear opinions outlining the 'whys'.
thanks
TSRAGR
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