Originally Posted by
Cubdriver
What prompted my earlier statement was simply the fact that the pilot market is glutted with non-mil guys who are a dime a dozen at the regionals. Most are completely competent pilots, that's not the point. Being indistinguishable from a pack of applicants is a sure formula for bondage to a low-paying, unrewarding job. My point is that in a competitive market you need to have a trump card and military can be that card. I am not in a position to say how to go about using military flight time to propel a civilian career.
In any case it is a huge commitment on a hunch. Ten to twelve years is a long time. Anything could happen. People should join the military because it is their first choice and because they want to serve their country. As far as the military being a stepping stone to the airlines it seems that there is a growing risk that new pilots will spend the next decade flying UAV's in the military.
You never know though. In ten years maybe UAV experience will be the ticket to the airlines.
Skyhigh