Originally Posted by
Mink
I, for one, know the things that lured me away from the military and into the airlines ("security" (ha!), pay, retirement package, schedule, upgrade ability) back in late 2000 are no longer there in any manner close to what they were.
No kidding!!
Security? Don't bank on it for most situations.
Pay? Not significantly better on average. A 10 year USAF Captain, married, and on flight status will bring home a pretty good salary...somewhere around $81000. Them's not peanuts.
Retirement? Not that much there anymore. That same Captain who retires as a LtCol after a 20 year career will get $42000 a year...forever. And not have spent one dime for it. He'll be about 43 years old.
Schedule? All things said, it's likely the civvie route still wins here.
Upgrade? Guys in heavies upgrade to 'Captain' quicker in the military. Fighter/ IP guys were always Captains.