Firefighter considering career change
08-24-2019 | 06:39 PM
#11
New Hire
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I am 38 and I have been with my career department for 17.5 years. I am seriously considering pulling my pension at 20 years and diving head first into this. I already have my PPL and am working on my Instrument right now. I have zero college hours though.
This will be a very hard decision for me because I have made it up to the rank of Captain and only work 8-9 days a month. I have a great crew and I really do still love this job. I too work for a department that is, more or less, a stepping stone department. I could shoot for my goal of 33 years and fully retire at 54 with a FAT pension. But firefighting is hard on the body and cancer is rampant in this line of work. Many of our retirees have died shortly after retirement, and every single one has been from some form of cancer.
I wouldn't dare make the change without my pension to help me through the regional years. But I'm also in a different place in life more than likely. If I had the ability to leave early in my career and transition to being a pilot, I pretty sure I would have taken it.
I have many friends who fly professionally. One I own an airplane with flew the 777 for American, another just got hired at Southwest after being at Skywest, several at Envoy and a cargo guy. They all hound me about stopping and going to be a pilot.
Another reservation I have is that I had a fellow Firefighter who was a Battalion Chief at a neighboring department left to fly professionally. He left without a pension and was used to the easy 9 days a month. As the sole breadwinner, he transitioned to horribly low pay, having to commute, and working 20 days a month. He lasted only a few months before calling it quits. He is now aged out of working for civil service departments and looking for other pilot work.
Think hard about it. Make an excel sheet like someone else suggested. I did this and have numerous different scenarios played out on it. I am accused of researching too much before I jump into something though...lol
Just food for though. Good luck Brother!
This will be a very hard decision for me because I have made it up to the rank of Captain and only work 8-9 days a month. I have a great crew and I really do still love this job. I too work for a department that is, more or less, a stepping stone department. I could shoot for my goal of 33 years and fully retire at 54 with a FAT pension. But firefighting is hard on the body and cancer is rampant in this line of work. Many of our retirees have died shortly after retirement, and every single one has been from some form of cancer.
I wouldn't dare make the change without my pension to help me through the regional years. But I'm also in a different place in life more than likely. If I had the ability to leave early in my career and transition to being a pilot, I pretty sure I would have taken it.
I have many friends who fly professionally. One I own an airplane with flew the 777 for American, another just got hired at Southwest after being at Skywest, several at Envoy and a cargo guy. They all hound me about stopping and going to be a pilot.
Another reservation I have is that I had a fellow Firefighter who was a Battalion Chief at a neighboring department left to fly professionally. He left without a pension and was used to the easy 9 days a month. As the sole breadwinner, he transitioned to horribly low pay, having to commute, and working 20 days a month. He lasted only a few months before calling it quits. He is now aged out of working for civil service departments and looking for other pilot work.
Think hard about it. Make an excel sheet like someone else suggested. I did this and have numerous different scenarios played out on it. I am accused of researching too much before I jump into something though...lol
Just food for though. Good luck Brother!
08-26-2019 | 08:10 PM
#12
New Hire
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Old guy here,
I’m a retired firefighter/medic. Always wanted a flying career. Financed my own flying and was able to fly part time (off duty days) corporate for several years, Citation Bravo.... loved it! Awesome company and pilot group.
Worked my career until the day I could draw full pension and then pulled the plug. The fire service treated me well, put two kids through college, married 35 years (in a row, to the same woman)and am now looking towards the next flying adventure. Lucky not smart....
What I could have done better...
* got the CFI, CFII & MEI
* finished my bachelors degree
* worked harder
Never achieved the big dream of working for a major but I am still flying and looking for the next adventure. Probably a full time corporate gig... who knows.
Have fun and enjoy the journey, either way I think you win.
Take care and be safe!
Griff
I’m a retired firefighter/medic. Always wanted a flying career. Financed my own flying and was able to fly part time (off duty days) corporate for several years, Citation Bravo.... loved it! Awesome company and pilot group.
Worked my career until the day I could draw full pension and then pulled the plug. The fire service treated me well, put two kids through college, married 35 years (in a row, to the same woman)and am now looking towards the next flying adventure. Lucky not smart....
What I could have done better...
* got the CFI, CFII & MEI
* finished my bachelors degree
* worked harder
Never achieved the big dream of working for a major but I am still flying and looking for the next adventure. Probably a full time corporate gig... who knows.
Have fun and enjoy the journey, either way I think you win.
Take care and be safe!
Griff
08-26-2019 | 08:43 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 1
From: AC90 Left
Retired pnwchief
Long story short, I’m a 26 year old firefighter thinking about a career change to aviation. I’m currently at a “stepping stone department” with mediocre pay/benefits, and I’m at a crossroads as to whether invest my energy in getting onto a better department or a career change. Here’s an outline of what I’m considering and I’m wondering if you guys can either correct my misconceptions or give me some advice.
Lifestyle: lifestyle is by far the most important consideration for me in a career. There are two big factors that I’m worried about: travel and schedule. The schedule is one of the best things about the job in my opinion. I work a 24 hour shift and then have two days off, and often swap shifts with my coworkers, so I have a lot of flexibility before I even begin to dip into my vacation time. If I get on a better department I’ll get a day off every three weeks built into my calendar. I love to travel, and the fire department schedule has allowed me to travel quite a bit. From what I’ve read there seems to be much less flexibility with a pilots schedule. I don’t have a good sense if I would have more off days as a pilot or a firefighter. However, for what it’s worth when I’m on at the firehouse, my fiancé can come up and visit, I can help her with stuff when I have down time, and family can come up and visit when I work holidays. As a pilot, when you’re gone you’re gone. As far as lifestyle, it seems as though firefighting has the advantage. It’s really heavily dependent on the schedule, which I need to learn more about.
Pay/benefits: I think a career in aviation has the advantage. On average, pilots make significantly more money. If I get on a fire department I’m shooting for, I’ll make 70k to low six figures throughout my career in a low cost of living area, with the range depending on how I do in promotions. The big benefit would be a pension and the ability to retire in my early 50s, but there’s no guarantee politicians don’t steal from it. The other ads range of firefighting is job security. With aviation there is a much higher ceiling for salary.
The work: This is a bit of a wash. I think I’d enjoy the actual nuts and bolts of being a pilot as much as I enjoy firefighting. It’s exciting work that’s both cerebral and hands on. However I would really miss the “fringe benefits”. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a public servant, I have a deep connection to the community I serve, and at the risk of sounding corny the firehouse really is a family and brotherhood. I could volunteer, but it wouldn’t be the same. I worry about the loneliness of the pilots lifestyle.
A couple questions:
What can I expect schedule wise early and mid career? The last thing I want is a regular 9 to 5, but I do value flexibility and plenty of time off. I read about the nuts and bolts of scheduling in the r/flying FAQ, but I'm wondering about big picture stuff. How long would it take to be working 10 days or less a month? The goal for travel/vacation is to take one or two one-month "sabbaticals" a year. These can include unpaid leave. Could I realistically expect to get that within ~5 years?
How likely is it that I would be able to get a job out of flight school in the first place (I have an unrelated bachelors so I just need to knock out flight school)? How likely is it that I would make it to the major airlines?
Are there any options for working part-time?
How limited would I be if I'm tied to one location/airport?
Big picture, what do you guys think? Should I keep looking into pursuing a career as a pilot or stick to firefighting?
Lifestyle: lifestyle is by far the most important consideration for me in a career. There are two big factors that I’m worried about: travel and schedule. The schedule is one of the best things about the job in my opinion. I work a 24 hour shift and then have two days off, and often swap shifts with my coworkers, so I have a lot of flexibility before I even begin to dip into my vacation time. If I get on a better department I’ll get a day off every three weeks built into my calendar. I love to travel, and the fire department schedule has allowed me to travel quite a bit. From what I’ve read there seems to be much less flexibility with a pilots schedule. I don’t have a good sense if I would have more off days as a pilot or a firefighter. However, for what it’s worth when I’m on at the firehouse, my fiancé can come up and visit, I can help her with stuff when I have down time, and family can come up and visit when I work holidays. As a pilot, when you’re gone you’re gone. As far as lifestyle, it seems as though firefighting has the advantage. It’s really heavily dependent on the schedule, which I need to learn more about.
Pay/benefits: I think a career in aviation has the advantage. On average, pilots make significantly more money. If I get on a fire department I’m shooting for, I’ll make 70k to low six figures throughout my career in a low cost of living area, with the range depending on how I do in promotions. The big benefit would be a pension and the ability to retire in my early 50s, but there’s no guarantee politicians don’t steal from it. The other ads range of firefighting is job security. With aviation there is a much higher ceiling for salary.
The work: This is a bit of a wash. I think I’d enjoy the actual nuts and bolts of being a pilot as much as I enjoy firefighting. It’s exciting work that’s both cerebral and hands on. However I would really miss the “fringe benefits”. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a public servant, I have a deep connection to the community I serve, and at the risk of sounding corny the firehouse really is a family and brotherhood. I could volunteer, but it wouldn’t be the same. I worry about the loneliness of the pilots lifestyle.
A couple questions:
What can I expect schedule wise early and mid career? The last thing I want is a regular 9 to 5, but I do value flexibility and plenty of time off. I read about the nuts and bolts of scheduling in the r/flying FAQ, but I'm wondering about big picture stuff. How long would it take to be working 10 days or less a month? The goal for travel/vacation is to take one or two one-month "sabbaticals" a year. These can include unpaid leave. Could I realistically expect to get that within ~5 years?
How likely is it that I would be able to get a job out of flight school in the first place (I have an unrelated bachelors so I just need to knock out flight school)? How likely is it that I would make it to the major airlines?
Are there any options for working part-time?
How limited would I be if I'm tied to one location/airport?
Big picture, what do you guys think? Should I keep looking into pursuing a career as a pilot or stick to firefighting?
08-26-2019 | 09:09 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
I have some insight but I went the other direction. I worked for a top tier regional for 7+ years during the lost decade. I made the switch after getting my fill of the airline life style and the ups and downs it can include. I have a jaded view, admittedly, due to my timing in the industry. I am fortunate that I work as a firefighter/paramedic for one of the highest paid depts in the California. My station is in a ghetto area so lots of fires, shootings, ODs, accidents and excitement. I honestly make more now then I ever came close to making with the regionals. My only aviation friends that are currently out earning me, are captains at the majors. I make roughly Major Widebody FO pay thanks to rank, specialties and OT pay. This is possible due to an amazing contract. With OT I still work less then 15 days a month and my family visits the station frequently. You throw in a pension, benefits and stability I could not be happier with my decision. Do not take for granted the job you have. The airline can and does change very rapidly and you could be left standing with no chair to sit in. Coming from public service you have no idea how much you take job stability for granted. Being a firefighter brings me more job satisfaction then the airlines ever did. I get to now make an actual difference in a community where most kids have no healthy adult role models. I have saved countless lives from heart attacks to burn victims. Not even acing the most challenging approach or trouble shooting an inflight emergency come close to the adrenaline rush and feeling of accomplishment this job gives me. Don’t get me wrong flying was by far the best job I ever had, but being a firefighter is a better career. Do what makes your heart happy but trust me you have no idea how good you have it until you start flying for a regional. It will make you kick yourself for leaving the fire dept. Even worse if the music stops and you are stuck at a regional for ten or more years. I know I know retirements! but we were saying the same in 2007. I love flying and plan to go back to it professionally when I retire with my pension. For now though I make plenty to be able to fly a few times a week for fun. I go places I want to go and seeing things I want to see. Trust me I get the allure of becoming a pilot but please think carefully about what is best for you and your family. The regional lifestyle and pay caused me to almost lose my wife and kids. Now I am happier then ever, work with my best friends and deal with real emergencies that save peoples lives daily. Please PM me with any questions you have I will give you honest answers. I still CFI some and stay up with the industry through my friends and publications and cherish the years I was a professional pilot. Either way you choose I wish you all the best!
08-27-2019 | 04:47 AM
#15
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 569
Likes: 32
From: Earth
I have some insight but I went the other direction. I worked for a top tier regional for 7+ years during the lost decade. I made the switch after getting my fill of the airline life style and the ups and downs it can include. I have a jaded view, admittedly, due to my timing in the industry. I am fortunate that I work as a firefighter/paramedic for one of the highest paid depts in the California. My station is in a ghetto area so lots of fires, shootings, ODs, accidents and excitement. I honestly make more now then I ever came close to making with the regionals. My only aviation friends that are currently out earning me, are captains at the majors. I make roughly Major Widebody FO pay thanks to rank, specialties and OT pay. This is possible due to an amazing contract. With OT I still work less then 15 days a month and my family visits the station frequently. You throw in a pension, benefits and stability I could not be happier with my decision. Do not take for granted the job you have. The airline can and does change very rapidly and you could be left standing with no chair to sit in. Coming from public service you have no idea how much you take job stability for granted. Being a firefighter brings me more job satisfaction then the airlines ever did. I get to now make an actual difference in a community where most kids have no healthy adult role models. I have saved countless lives from heart attacks to burn victims. Not even acing the most challenging approach or trouble shooting an inflight emergency come close to the adrenaline rush and feeling of accomplishment this job gives me. Don’t get me wrong flying was by far the best job I ever had, but being a firefighter is a better career. Do what makes your heart happy but trust me you have no idea how good you have it until you start flying for a regional. It will make you kick yourself for leaving the fire dept. Even worse if the music stops and you are stuck at a regional for ten or more years. I know I know retirements! but we were saying the same in 2007. I love flying and plan to go back to it professionally when I retire with my pension. For now though I make plenty to be able to fly a few times a week for fun. I go places I want to go and seeing things I want to see. Trust me I get the allure of becoming a pilot but please think carefully about what is best for you and your family. The regional lifestyle and pay caused me to almost lose my wife and kids. Now I am happier then ever, work with my best friends and deal with real emergencies that save peoples lives daily. Please PM me with any questions you have I will give you honest answers. I still CFI some and stay up with the industry through my friends and publications and cherish the years I was a professional pilot. Either way you choose I wish you all the best!
paragraph
[ˈperəˌɡraf]
NOUN
paragraphs (plural noun)
a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line, indentation, or numbering.
"the concluding paragraph" · "the information set out in paragraph 3"
synonyms:
section · subdivision · part · subsection · division · portion · segment · bit · passage · clause · report · article · item · piece · notice · write-up · note · mention
VERB
paragraphs (third person present) · paragraphed (past tense) · paragraphed (past participle) · paragraphing (present participle)
arrange (a piece of writing) in paragraphs.
"his style deploys a lack of conventional paragraphing"
ORIGIN
late 15th century: from Frenchparagraphe, via medieval Latin from Greekparagraphos‘short stroke marking a break in sense’, from para-‘beside’ + graphein‘write’.
10-14-2019 | 11:22 AM
#16
On Reserve
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Big Red Fire Truck
I know this thread is a couple months stale, but I’m new to APC and wanted to jump in here after seeing lots of fire pilot bros posting.
I’m a similar situation with a somewhat rhyming story. Always wanted to fly and am finally making it happen. I was told no dice on an Air Force pilot slot without a STEM degree by a recruiter (when do they lie?) way back in 2004 and took that as the gospel. So, I followed my other dream of being a firefighter. I started in 2005 and have been working in my current department for north of 11 years. I absolutely love it. But, after finally deciding to get my PPL two years ago, I was convinced by a mil friend to give the mil flying another shot, even with my...ah, advanced...age. I thought it was going to be impossible, but to make a long story really short, it worked out and I’m currently working my way through UPT and going to be flying a (reeeeaaaaalllly) heavy for the Reserves when all is said and done.
Depending on what you’re up for, it might make a lot of sense for you to look into your Reserve/Guard options to get you those hours. Here are a few big reasons it might make sense; especially if you want to keep working civil service.
First, it’s a way to take service to the national level, fly some pretty fun airplanes, and make some great friends. Oh, and the fact you’re getting paid to do it all while gaining hours and ratings helps, too. Sure, there are not-small sacrifices, but it’s been completely worth it, thus far.
Second, USERRA protects everyone, but civil service agencies tend to be a hell of a lot better at taking care of military service. If you stay with your current department, you’ll get at least 5 years of military service time that’ll count toward your retirement/pension. Even more, actually, as OTS/SERE/UPT have all been marked USERRA-exempt for me, so I’ll have another year and a half of mil service that’s pensionable time in addition to the 5. If you go to another department, many will let you buy up to 3 years of pre-hire military service back to reduce your required working years. Add that to the 5 after hire and, well, you’re moving closer to a pension while mil flying.
Even more, most departments will also give you military service points for applying or promotional examinations. Getting those extra mil service points can put you a lot higher up the hiring and promotional lists.
Third, a lot of departments will offer additional military leave pay, so you’ll still get paid by the department for some of the you’re on orders.
As for your questions about part-time, basing, etc., I am curious about those as well. As of now, I’m just focused on getting through training, to my unit, and then doing the best I can there before getting spit back out as a Traditional Reservist and returning to the FD in another year and a half or so. Once I get closer to that time, I’m certainly going to start looking at the same things you are about potential “part time” employment. I don’t have any intentions of leaving the department before earning a retirement, so it kinda rules out airlines, but who knows?
Anyway, feel free to hit me up if you have any questions about the Reserve/Guard options (or just to talk fire career stuff) and I’ll help however I can. It’s good to see all you other fire folks posting up and enjoying aviation.
Stay safe out there!
I’m a similar situation with a somewhat rhyming story. Always wanted to fly and am finally making it happen. I was told no dice on an Air Force pilot slot without a STEM degree by a recruiter (when do they lie?) way back in 2004 and took that as the gospel. So, I followed my other dream of being a firefighter. I started in 2005 and have been working in my current department for north of 11 years. I absolutely love it. But, after finally deciding to get my PPL two years ago, I was convinced by a mil friend to give the mil flying another shot, even with my...ah, advanced...age. I thought it was going to be impossible, but to make a long story really short, it worked out and I’m currently working my way through UPT and going to be flying a (reeeeaaaaalllly) heavy for the Reserves when all is said and done.
Depending on what you’re up for, it might make a lot of sense for you to look into your Reserve/Guard options to get you those hours. Here are a few big reasons it might make sense; especially if you want to keep working civil service.
First, it’s a way to take service to the national level, fly some pretty fun airplanes, and make some great friends. Oh, and the fact you’re getting paid to do it all while gaining hours and ratings helps, too. Sure, there are not-small sacrifices, but it’s been completely worth it, thus far.
Second, USERRA protects everyone, but civil service agencies tend to be a hell of a lot better at taking care of military service. If you stay with your current department, you’ll get at least 5 years of military service time that’ll count toward your retirement/pension. Even more, actually, as OTS/SERE/UPT have all been marked USERRA-exempt for me, so I’ll have another year and a half of mil service that’s pensionable time in addition to the 5. If you go to another department, many will let you buy up to 3 years of pre-hire military service back to reduce your required working years. Add that to the 5 after hire and, well, you’re moving closer to a pension while mil flying.
Even more, most departments will also give you military service points for applying or promotional examinations. Getting those extra mil service points can put you a lot higher up the hiring and promotional lists.
Third, a lot of departments will offer additional military leave pay, so you’ll still get paid by the department for some of the you’re on orders.
As for your questions about part-time, basing, etc., I am curious about those as well. As of now, I’m just focused on getting through training, to my unit, and then doing the best I can there before getting spit back out as a Traditional Reservist and returning to the FD in another year and a half or so. Once I get closer to that time, I’m certainly going to start looking at the same things you are about potential “part time” employment. I don’t have any intentions of leaving the department before earning a retirement, so it kinda rules out airlines, but who knows?
Anyway, feel free to hit me up if you have any questions about the Reserve/Guard options (or just to talk fire career stuff) and I’ll help however I can. It’s good to see all you other fire folks posting up and enjoying aviation.
Stay safe out there!
10-14-2019 | 12:24 PM
#18
On Reserve
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
I know this thread is a couple months stale, but I’m new to APC and wanted to jump in here after seeing lots of fire pilot bros posting.
I’m a similar situation with a somewhat rhyming story. Always wanted to fly and am finally making it happen. I was told no dice on an Air Force pilot slot without a STEM degree by a recruiter (when do they lie?) way back in 2004 and took that as the gospel. So, I followed my other dream of being a firefighter. I started in 2005 and have been working in my current department for north of 11 years. I absolutely love it. But, after finally deciding to get my PPL two years ago, I was convinced by a mil friend to give the mil flying another shot, even with my...ah, advanced...age. I thought it was going to be impossible, but to make a long story really short, it worked out and I’m currently working my way through UPT and going to be flying a (reeeeaaaaalllly) heavy for the Reserves when all is said and done.
Depending on what you’re up for, it might make a lot of sense for you to look into your Reserve/Guard options to get you those hours. Here are a few big reasons it might make sense; especially if you want to keep working civil service.
First, it’s a way to take service to the national level, fly some pretty fun airplanes, and make some great friends. Oh, and the fact you’re getting paid to do it all while gaining hours and ratings helps, too. Sure, there are not-small sacrifices, but it’s been completely worth it, thus far.
Second, USERRA protects everyone, but civil service agencies tend to be a hell of a lot better at taking care of military service. If you stay with your current department, you’ll get at least 5 years of military service time that’ll count toward your retirement/pension. Even more, actually, as OTS/SERE/UPT have all been marked USERRA-exempt for me, so I’ll have another year and a half of mil service that’s pensionable time in addition to the 5. If you go to another department, many will let you buy up to 3 years of pre-hire military service back to reduce your required working years. Add that to the 5 after hire and, well, you’re moving closer to a pension while mil flying.
Even more, most departments will also give you military service points for applying or promotional examinations. Getting those extra mil service points can put you a lot higher up the hiring and promotional lists.
Third, a lot of departments will offer additional military leave pay, so you’ll still get paid by the department for some of the you’re on orders.
As for your questions about part-time, basing, etc., I am curious about those as well. As of now, I’m just focused on getting through training, to my unit, and then doing the best I can there before getting spit back out as a Traditional Reservist and returning to the FD in another year and a half or so. Once I get closer to that time, I’m certainly going to start looking at the same things you are about potential “part time” employment. I don’t have any intentions of leaving the department before earning a retirement, so it kinda rules out airlines, but who knows?
Anyway, feel free to hit me up if you have any questions about the Reserve/Guard options (or just to talk fire career stuff) and I’ll help however I can. It’s good to see all you other fire folks posting up and enjoying aviation.
Stay safe out there!
I’m a similar situation with a somewhat rhyming story. Always wanted to fly and am finally making it happen. I was told no dice on an Air Force pilot slot without a STEM degree by a recruiter (when do they lie?) way back in 2004 and took that as the gospel. So, I followed my other dream of being a firefighter. I started in 2005 and have been working in my current department for north of 11 years. I absolutely love it. But, after finally deciding to get my PPL two years ago, I was convinced by a mil friend to give the mil flying another shot, even with my...ah, advanced...age. I thought it was going to be impossible, but to make a long story really short, it worked out and I’m currently working my way through UPT and going to be flying a (reeeeaaaaalllly) heavy for the Reserves when all is said and done.
Depending on what you’re up for, it might make a lot of sense for you to look into your Reserve/Guard options to get you those hours. Here are a few big reasons it might make sense; especially if you want to keep working civil service.
First, it’s a way to take service to the national level, fly some pretty fun airplanes, and make some great friends. Oh, and the fact you’re getting paid to do it all while gaining hours and ratings helps, too. Sure, there are not-small sacrifices, but it’s been completely worth it, thus far.
Second, USERRA protects everyone, but civil service agencies tend to be a hell of a lot better at taking care of military service. If you stay with your current department, you’ll get at least 5 years of military service time that’ll count toward your retirement/pension. Even more, actually, as OTS/SERE/UPT have all been marked USERRA-exempt for me, so I’ll have another year and a half of mil service that’s pensionable time in addition to the 5. If you go to another department, many will let you buy up to 3 years of pre-hire military service back to reduce your required working years. Add that to the 5 after hire and, well, you’re moving closer to a pension while mil flying.
Even more, most departments will also give you military service points for applying or promotional examinations. Getting those extra mil service points can put you a lot higher up the hiring and promotional lists.
Third, a lot of departments will offer additional military leave pay, so you’ll still get paid by the department for some of the you’re on orders.
As for your questions about part-time, basing, etc., I am curious about those as well. As of now, I’m just focused on getting through training, to my unit, and then doing the best I can there before getting spit back out as a Traditional Reservist and returning to the FD in another year and a half or so. Once I get closer to that time, I’m certainly going to start looking at the same things you are about potential “part time” employment. I don’t have any intentions of leaving the department before earning a retirement, so it kinda rules out airlines, but who knows?
Anyway, feel free to hit me up if you have any questions about the Reserve/Guard options (or just to talk fire career stuff) and I’ll help however I can. It’s good to see all you other fire folks posting up and enjoying aviation.
Stay safe out there!
How old were you when you applied to the Reserves?
10-14-2019 | 12:51 PM
#19
On Reserve
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Big Red Fire Truck
Go big or go home! Haha. Judging by your username, I’m guessing you’re no stranger to KDOV. I should hopefully be headed that in about a year after FTU. One big alligator at a time.
Pretty ancient, by UPT standards. Haha. 36 when I applied and 37 now. I got beyond lucky it actually happened and worked out.
Pretty ancient, by UPT standards. Haha. 36 when I applied and 37 now. I got beyond lucky it actually happened and worked out.
10-14-2019 | 02:38 PM
#20
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,908
Likes: 694
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
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