Originally Posted by
Packrat
It doesn't have anything to do with worship. When I interview an ex-military pilot I KNOW the standardization of training and qualifications that he/she has been required to meet over the course of his/her career.
I KNOW for a fact that they didn't "earn" their licenses at some cheesy Mom and Pop FBO that will pass you as long as you can pay. They didn't get their type ratings at some sim center that will sign you off when your check clears.
They didn't get their PIC experience at some backwater "regional" airline that flies between Denver and Gillette three times a day.
That's why ex-military guys get preference. But, I wouldn't expect non-military types to even begin to comprehend that simple fact.
I KNOW for a fact that my DPE’s/FAA Examiners held me to the standards set in the PTS that lead to me earning my ratings, despite my training coming from the local FBO.
I KNOW for a fact that military pilots are held to similar standards by their examiners after their training.
In the end, regardless of training you still have to pass the same ‘checkride’.
And yes, the 121 PIC experience at some “backwater” regional flying between two cities is FAR less valuable than the guy who does 1 sortie a month in blocked airspace or the guy wasting my taxpayer money dropping bombs on innocent people in the eyes of the hiring manager at a legacy... it’s all clear to me now where I took the wrong turn in my career...
It’s funny because the airline I fly for basically has a ‘separate’ training department with additional allocated funds/resources for mil guys with no 121, so there can’t be that much cost savings...