Originally Posted by SuperEighty

Greetings everyone,

I’m 24 and a 2nd year regional pilot looking for some advice from the experience on the forums. Last fall, I was selected as the 1st alternate for my local ANG unit and was encouraged to reapply for next year. This is the unit I’m most interested in because it is local and when looking long term, driving to work is the goal for both jobs (I commute right now).

My background consists of a aviation bachelor’s giving me the restricted ATP. I am also half way through a Aviation Management Master’s degree that will be done in the fall. Following that, I should be able to hold captain at my airline in a year from now based on my projected flight time and seniority, which is great.

I strongly desire the comradery and flight training the AF has to offer, as well as the experiences that come with that. Being a part of that history and legacy really appeals to me. However I don’t want my young eyes to be skewed by the realities of the military which I don’t know about, as well as the lifestyle that comes with being a reservist combined with the airlines.

Here is my dilemma: If I was hired the next go around at the local unit, I will upgrade in the airlines soon after. It will then be at least a year to go to OCS, leaving me as a captain at my current job logging PIC with a hopefully competitive application for the majors. However, I don’t wanna dig my own grave as the majors wouldn’t be able to use me until UPT is done essentially if they chose to hire me during that time. I don’t know if majors like that or not.

I just wanna hear your opinions because I know my generation has a golden opportunity to get hired very early than most have never had before. I don’t wanna miss that window by doing something that my not be worth it. As someone young and new to the game, it’s tough to see those next decades and the realities in them.

Thanks for reading and the responses.


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