Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Historical CW would be stay for 20 (and I've told people that in no uncertain terms in years past). However...
At this exact moment in time (due to airline retirement demographics) that would probably cost you a great deal in terms of seniority and ultimate compensation.
Odds are decent that you could bail now, lock in airline seniority, and then participate in guard/reserves to either qualify for a regular AD retirement, or as a consolation prize the reserve retirement at age 60.
It comes down to risk tolerance and how hard you want to chase the best possible airline deal. Upside is having your cake and eating it too. Downside is risk of economic issues, or worst-case medical issues and possibly ending up unable to fly or participate in the reserves to finish the retirement.
With American and United projected to hire 1,000ish each in 2019. Delta 500+, FedEx 500+, not sure about SWA. My vote is you finding a Guard/Reserve job and bail for the airlines. Seniority is EVERYTHING.
I am a UPT reservist. We have multiple AGR openings at the UPT bases. I personally know 3 guys that bailed AD at the 15 to 17 year mark (one of my Bro’s bailed at 18 years!) got hired by us as Traditional Part-Time reservists, got airline jobs and within 12 months had AGR jobs - which got them to their 20-year active duty retirement.
From what I have heard AFRC wide and via the Guard too, there are AGR jobs open all over the nation. Any insight from any other AFRC/Guard folks on here?
Get an airline job, part-time Guard/Reserve gig, 6 to 9 months later AGR.