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

 

I guess that depends on which community you are talking about then Sky. In MY expereince, I don't know too many military pilots who went the 'regional' route. I know one who went to ASA for a very short period of time in 2004-2005 timeframe and then jumped ship quickly and now flies for FedEx. But if one DID retire and then go the regional route then you are absolutely right - it certainly would help.

As far as the military not being as "much of an advantage as it once was" comment - - what type of advantage are you talking about?
You've been known on this forum to say that I haven't even experienced the hardships of life basically because I did a career in the military, and now you say it isn't much of an advantage?
You've said that your chances of getting a Major airline job are reduced if you don't have "buddies" on the hiring board.
I've only gotten two flying jobs since I got out of the military and both of them were directly due to my military background.

I won't make sweeping generalizations like you - but MY experience says that the military route is very advantageous for a variety of reasons.

Now Sky - here is something that we can absolutely agree on!
I've always said that pursuing the military route as a sole reason to be used as a stepping stone to the airlines would probably leave most disappointed, though if you spend your time in service and then decide to leave for such and have had that plan from day one - more power to you and thank you for your sacrifice.
Being a military pilot has the extra added benefit of preparing you well for a particular aviation related field, just like being in the military period prepares one for civilian employment opportunites. The skills and experiences gained in any service, in any MOS, during those 3-4 years are incredibly valuable.


USMCFLYR

 

USMCFLYR,

The military is not the golden ticket that it once was. Besides that after making an officers wage the thought of flying for even a major must be hard to deal with. There most likely are better opportunities in the business world for a retired officer.


Skyhigh

 

Sky -

I'm still curious what kind of "golden ticket" you thought it was in the past.

Yes - even in the good times, the initial wage cut from the military to the first couple of years of even 'Major' pay was low, and if smart, a person was well prepared for those leaner times, and then the airline pay quickly caught up and just as quickly passed the military pay. There were many studies and chart / planning inclined people with calculators out there who had it all figured out about the breaking point. I remember one showing that in those *good times* that it was even financially worthwhile to get out as late as 18 YEARS and those 2 years of senority at the airlines would be worth more than the retirement. I thought that to be optimistic but I didn't look to deeply into it myself.

There are great business opportunites available out there - IF business interests you

 

The rumors of this are blown way out of proportion.

Over the last couple years, the assignment numbers to RPAs has been around 10%. That's 90% going to normal manned aircraft....hardly what I consider "somewhat slim".

It's still 10 years, just as it has been since it jumped up from 8 in 2001.