redthread

I posted this on another board so apologies in advance (I don't know if the "other" board is on good terms with this one):

I separated from AD Air Force after 911 and was fortunate enough to land a technician job in the Reserve. I stopped looking at the airlines for a while as I am also fortunate enough to work things to where I can, of late, work four week days a week and gross around 160 per year. Not bad, right? But, this desk job is nowhere near as enjoyable as a true flying gig and I've come to consider applying to the more secure companies (UPS/FedEX/SWA) when they begin to hire again. If hired, I would continue part-time in the Reserve and would qualify for two government pensions at 60. If I don't get hired right away, I stay in my lucrative current position while I wait.

But recently, I've come across the opportunity to apply for an AGR flying (lots of flying) position that in six years would allow me to earn an immediate active duty retirement (about 3K net/mo. in today's dollars). I could then, at 47, try to get on and start a career with the aforementioned companies.
This plan would only have me doing one job away from home at a time and also has the benefit of free medical until age 65. The downsides to this "secure" route are a 35K annual pay cut compared to my current jobs and it would take me out of the hiring pool for six years. Plus, if I can't get hired then, I have to find other work in the meantime to supplement my retirement check.

My questions is, with age 65 and the fuel situation, how much do I give away by waiting another six years to jump in (aside from seniority, of course)? A mil retirement and health care is nothing to sneeze at but if the above companies are my ultimate goal, am I better off being available as soon as possible?

Deuce130

Word from FDX Mgt is that there will be no hiring for the foreseeable future. Most guys think that means until 2010/2011 at the absolute earliest, if at all. I kind of think you may be better off right where you're at. Good luck.

Lifizgud

RedThread - I think you should quit that 160K job and recommend me for it!

Lifizgud

No! No! Quit and recommend me!

fishalaska

Take the AGR job!!! If not, post the job on APC and let another guy get it.

Fish

Old Coastie

Stay where you are. You have a nice income that's going to take some years to replicate (or make up) at Fedex, etc. Until the economy vastly improves we're all in the hunker down mode. Wait it out. I don't know what your family situation is but it sounds like you're in a situation that a lot of folks with families would love to have. The other possible avenue when you're 47 is to look at corporate jobs like net jets, etc. Good money and bennies and good flying even though you have to serve the coffee. Another possible wrinkle to all this, however, is you looking for a flying job in five years with no recent flying experience (if you've been flying a desk ). That would definately be a show stoper here at Fedex and I would imagine at other carriers too. A tough call but I think you're better where you are.

kronan

Biggs, pretty sure the 160k a year is the ART and TR job combined.

(something many ARTs forget is that the big ART bonus'/pay increase 8 years back was due to the big United/Delta contract......so, hopefully you're not one of those ARTs who thinks the reserves would be a good deal if not for those damn TRs)

So, you've got 3 choices. Stay where you are, at a desk job you're not digging. Try for the AGR slot and get an AD retirement, which will be flying....may/may not be that much fun, but, flying sure looks great when you're sitting at a desk. Try for an airline job.

Well, can't say it can't or won't be done. But, getting hired into the Majors at a company you want to work for would take a miracle. Your odds dramatically improve in a few years.

So, ride it out at a non-flying job for 2-4 years or take the 6 year AGR tour.
Non-current doesn't mean that you won't get hired, but, your odds go up if you are flying and the odds increase if you are doing something other than flying 172s.

While the 6 yr contract means giving up 2-4 years of seniority, it will up the odds of getting hired once the floodgates start to open......and you will still have 18yrs of civilian flying stretching in front of you.

If you were one of my bro's, I'd recommend taking the AGR deal. But, I'd also want to make sure that you have 14yrs of AD time. And not just 14yrs of federal service. To get the immediate, AD retirement, you need 20 years of AD service.....not just 7300 points.

As an example, I know several folks who left with about 12 years of AD time (about 4400 points). Been in the reserves for about 7 years, with point totals about 5200. A 6 year AGR tour would put them at 25 yrs of service and about 7400 points, but, the catch is that they are at the 18yrs of AD service....so, their points are high enough that they are going to get a 50% retirement check, just not until they hit 60 (barring finding another 2 years of AD time)

FlyByCable

Unfortunately, I heard that the IPA was informed by UPS that IF the DHL deal goes through, there will be no preferential interviews for ABX and Astar pilots due to past issues with UPS getting sued by former contractor pilots during the airline's startup.

UPSAv8tr

Sad. Sad.

Jetpilot

Unfortunately, that does not surprise me. I heard that UPS made a lot of promises to a lot of contractor pilots in '88 that they didn't follow thru on... I guess their answer is to not make promises....