Originally Posted by
Tannhauser621
So I would love tacair, however speaking to current guys at the VFAs as well as 2 instructors we have here, it requires a ton of dedication, that’s a level of dedication I can’t say I have. I don’t want to burn up someones spot that wants it more than I do. Also if you’re stationed in oceana, I’m told work ups are done in the west coast, so your away from family. Stationed in LeMoore, well.... you have to live in Central Valley. I don’t like the idea of raising my kids where breaking bad could’ve very well been filmed. The only negative thing IPs here have said come from the p3/p8 guys who say loving on the boat would suck.
So you say no platform makes you more/less competitive if it’s fixed wing, my predicament was between helos and E6s. 8-10 years, a lot may change, but i know for sure there will still be airlines, and they’ll still be looking for the most competitive applicants. That being said which is most competitive helos or e6s, or will it matter?
Your time away from home during workups will be the same regardless of if you are a west/east coast VFA or VAQ. Workups are done in Fallon, NV which isn't exactly "local" to Oceana, Lemoore or Whidbey. All are fine places to raise children for the 3-4 years that you will be there. Spouses may disagree with that statement but attitude is everything. I would personally take Lemoore because I love the mountains and the flying on the west coast is superior.
My TACAIR friends are getting multiple CJOs and many of them their first choice. Even more significant was my TACAIR coworker that applied to exactly 1 airline...and got hired while being non-current (UPS). My helo friends are at the regionals. My P8/E6 friends have all gotten on with a legacy or other major LCC/Cargo directly but most have not had multiple CJOs. TACAIR is universally recognized as a harder path and irregardless of whether it has any analogous prediction on a pilots performance at an airline it does seem to make it a more marketable transition provided you have acquired enough hours. 1500 TACAIR hours seems to be the sweet spot.
There will still be airlines in 8-10 years but they may not be looking for competitive applicants. I went through primary/advanced before 9/11 and all the IPs were talking airlines etc. All of my IPs except those hired by SWA were furloughed multiple times. The SNAs all wanted P3s because they wanted the shortest commitment at the time and their obligations all ended during the age 65 rule implementation. Most went into business/contracting instead. You very well could be facing furloughs or Age 67+ when the time comes for you to leave the Navy and you will be on the back end of the retirement wave.
P3/P8 guys all say they would hate being on the boat. Mostly I think that is because they are in squadrons with 70-80 folks and they never truly get to know each other. What makes the boat tolerable is #1 the flying and #2 the 10-12 other JO's that you will spend most of your time with.
I say go pick the mission that most interests you if it is available and worry about the airlines in about 5-6 years. Your enjoyment/fulfillment of your career will primarily be based on the O4/O5 leadership that you are exposed to during your first two tours and not really about the aircraft that you fly. Make sure your wife is onboard with any decisions you make. Spouses groups are far more tight knit in VFA/Helos but ultimately that is up to the COs spouse.
Also - understand this very clearly - the Navy typically does not send its best and brightest fixed wing pilots to teach at the VTs. Top performers are usually teaching at the FRS and Weapons Schools or going to test squadrons. Most at the VTs are there because they want out of the Navy and they want to stay flying during their shore tour and it was the only opportunity. Not ALL...but most/many. So the opinions that you are getting from IPs may be jaded.
Good luck with your decision...you are lucky to have that opportunity to make it!
Cheers,
FW