Hello all,
I am deciding on what I want to do with the rest of my life. Just a little backstory here, I served in the Air Force active duty for 6 years as a crew chief on c-17’s. I got out and got a pretty decent job at a major airline doing similar work. I have always had ambitions on becoming a pilot as I was a flying crew chief and got to take many trips with pilots my time in the military. I work full time at this airline, I am in the air national guard, and go to school full time for a professional pilot curriculum that is being funded by the post 9/11 GI bill. This degree path will lead me up to my atp restricted without me having to pay anything out of pocket. When I get my degree I want to try and commission as a pilot in the Air national guard in which I am receiving fantastic guidance by my command. Once accomplished I want to fly as much as possible and build my total time in the military until it suffices for the ATP limit, to then fly for an airline or regional for more experience and ride that out until a nice retirement age. Another option that some mentors of mine both military and airline side have given me was to use my 6 years active duty and become a cop. I will only need to do 14 years and will then receive a nice pension at the age of 40. This option still includes me becoming a pilot on the air guard side as this is mainly part time. If I followed the cop path I will have a pension from the PD and will begin flying commercial at Around 40 (given I build up enough time in the 14 years) and not to mention, the PD I would work for is on Long Island NY, and pays well above the average amount so the pension will be on the heavier side. So I am kindof torn in the direction I want to go. One side would be to pursue airline/guard pilot and gain seniority from a younger age, possibly around 28 by the time I finish all of my training and flying requirements. Or become a pilot in the guard part time and work 14 years as a cop to get a pension and more home time with my family to then begin the airline process at around the age of 40(training and hours will have already be completed and paid for by Air guard job/GI Bill). I have been dwelling on this for weeks and want to make a decision. Ultimately I want what everyone else wants, to get as much money as possible at the youngest age possible to enjoy a better QOL while still enjoying what I do. I wouldn’t much mind being a cop as I have cop friends and family and understand the lifestyle. I just would like advice on anyone who has followed a similar path as this and can share while I am still young. Thank you in advance.

 

Is it all just about the money?
You really want to do something for 14 years that doesn’t have your heart?
I think you can stamp license plates for 14 years but I don’t think you can be a cop for 14 years if you’re not emotionally invested.
You can also go deliver mail and get a government pension.
I have no idea what the aviation industry will be when you turn 40.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Pick one.

 

One word—paragraph.

GF

 

A cop? And this wasn’t your idea? Seems like a distraction, I don’t even understand their logic. Sounds like you have a passion for flying and a good plan to fly in the guard and airlines. Don’t pursue some other random career, put it in your hip pocket as plan C or D really.

I don’t get the benefits of it, it’s a non sequiter...

 

Assuming you have an equal passion for both, I would go the pilot route.

“Be a cop to have more time home with family” sounds good on paper but doesn’t play out that way. You’ll work weekends, nights, holidays just like a pilot. You’ll also rarely work 40 hours as a lot of those guys get suckered into OT and end up doing 50+ hour work weeks. You’ll end up spending your one day off a week sleeping rather than with family. Cops by you probably make around 150k which actually isn’t much in Long Island.

You’ll make more money with a major airline, have more time off, more flexibility in your schedule.

Also a 401k or IRA is better than a pension. How many people in the past thought they had a bullet proof retirement and then arbitrarily lose their health insurance or annuity because their pension went broke. I’d rather be the one in charge of my money

 

Thank you TiredSoul, PRS Guitars, and Kstoves. It was definitely a distraction and a possibility that I considered due to being around some people who were miserable where they were. I do have a passion for flying and will continue with that route. It will definitely be a good backup plan but I did not consider the negatives simply because I wasn't are of them in that industry. Thanks all for the advice it is much appreciated, I start flying this summer so wish me luck, and I will post if I have any questions!

 

Sorry, I wrote this on my phone while on the train

 

The job opportunities for pilots now are the best I've ever seen. Ask anyone who was working their way up in the early nineties or post 9/11.
You can always switch to law enforcement (T he feds do have an age limit) if piloting goes South.

 

Good luck!

Ps- I want to also mention if you’re set on the idea of an early retirement/pension consider ATC. It’s still a job that requires nights/holidays/weekends but at least smaller facilities don’t require overnights. 40 hour work weeks are realistic while still making north of 100K. You can also use military service to buy back time. ATC doesn’t require any special skills/training to get hired so you’re already qualified to apply the next time they have a bid. They have a separate hiring pool for veterans so your chances of getting called would be better than the average persons.

 

You need to concentrate on piloting, training and hours. The Cop thing should stay a distant backup.

No I’m not your counselor, just giving you sound advice. Yes, the Reserve/Guard piloting position would be GREAT.