Originally Posted by
BrownClown
Back to the poster's original question...the value of a military flying background cannot be overstated when considering going to the airlines. While I would not endorse the idea of going into the military for the purpose of sweetening the hiring process later, I do recognize the advantages that military time brings to the table.
arrogance at it's finest[/QUOTE]
There are some outstanding civilian pilots at Fedex, the same is true of military pilots. We all seem to be equally happy doing this job. I would never say one route is better than the other, it depends who you talk to.
In answer to original posters question, are military pilots happier?
The bottom line is that for most, if not all of us, that chose the military route did it because we were called to serve. It is a calling, I was never in it for the money. There were days as a 2Lt taxing out for takeoff in an F-4E at Taegu Korea that I would have to pinch myself to make sure this was for real, hell I'd of have done the job for nothing--OK, maybe beer money and a place to sleep. It was never a job, flying in the airlnes is. We are not called to serve in the airlines, but rather to make the most amount of money for the least amount work. I'm very happy to be here at FedEx, but it's just a job. A job that I happen to enjoy and they pay me very well for.
If you feel called to serve, then please do so. You will never regret it. But don't join up if your only reason for doing so is to someday become an airline pilot. The airlines will always be here just waiting to scarf you up when the time comes if you choose to leave the service. As far as being happy---Have you ever been at 30,000 feet in an F-15 about to split S on a train of F-16's at Cope Thunder? That's about as good as it gets, I was very happy that day and many others.