New Guy Question
 

I'm new here and have been reading some great stuff on this site. Really opens my eyes to the Civ world and what I am looking at on the "outside". Thanks for all your info.

I was wondering what my best options are coming out of active duty AF amongst the majors? I have 3 years left but need to start educating myself now. I'm looking at having at least 1500+ ME PIC time with 3000+ total by the time I can get out. Do I have a decent chance of starting at a major or would I need to start at a regional?? I've heard SWA is big with Mil folks but are there any others that are good for my type?? Thanks for any responses.
:)

The biggest thing you can do to help your self is to stay in touch with the guy's leaving before you. Don't let them fall by the wayside. Other than that (for now), watch and listen. Try to have an idea where you would like to go within 6 months of leaving than start cashing in those (networking) chips. good luck!;)

Well, with those times I'd say you would have very good shot with someone like CAL or SWA or maybe even JB. Given that most majors have competitive hiring is around 3000tt and 1000+ PIC turbine, I would say you would be in a very good position to get in with a good airline. I am just a CFI with like a thousand hours so its probably not my place to be giving someone with more hours guidence but I can only offer my opinion. My real reason for responding is that I am curious given your username and type of equipment you fly, are you a hurricane hunter? I always wanted to get a ride on the Hercules sometime, right into the eye of a CAT 5 hurricane!! I think thats really cool.

Good Luck,

Chris

PMFJI, but I think you a little sick! :) :)

ERJ135

The Herc drive can correct me if I am wrong, but to answer your question, I am 99% sure that he probably does not work for the hurricane hunters because the huricane hunters are reservists based at Keesler AFB in Mississippi... so if the above gentleman is active duty, that would lead me to believe that he does not fly for them.

they did have a cool special the other night on TV where one of my Navs (who use to be in that unit) was on TV while on a mission... he is pretty phsyched to actually be a hollywood superstar... as he calls himself now.

You are correct Bengals, not a hurricane hunter. Just fly the boring trash haulin "slick" (cargo) model. The hurricane hunting would be pretty cool though! They fly J models now too! Thanks for the advice

Thoughts on transitioning
 

Been with SWA for 6+ years....getting intel early is always a good idea. If your hours accumulate like most heavy guys you'll be competitive for SWA, CAL or any major that is hiring at the time. Over the next few years attempt to add to your resume any of the following quals, IP, SEFE...the more PIC time you have, the better. Begin to keep good records of your different flying events....AF Form 5 will be sufficient for your logbook records (at least for SWA) but put emphasis on "stories" & experiences that you have so you have a good recall of lessons learned for future story telling.

As one of the previous posters said, stay in touch with your buds who get out & follow their experience closely...those who succeed & fail. There is much gouge on the internet on the various processes, go there to get a feel but don't spend too much time, things may change before you get out.

Continue to read up on the financials of the various companies you wish to work for, find out what their "culture" is like & understand it. When possible fly on the carriers you are considering....nothing like testing the food before you order it. Watch & observe closely....talk to the pilots, employees on the aircraft or in the lounge. Ask a lot of questions, "what do you like/don't like?", "if not here, where & why?", "what would you do different/right when you transitioned out of the military?".

Write down what you want in a future employer & begin to assessment which companies will meet the majority of those desires based upon their business model & culture...very important.

Those are just a few things....thanks for your service to our country & good luck...

Herc

Good advice from the above posters IF you definitely want to separate. However, my advice is to stay in the military for 20 then make your move to the majors. Take your guaranteed retirement check, healthcare for life and a great resume and look for your 2nd career at age 43 +/-. That's what I did and in this very unstable industry I'm glad I did. At 43 you will still have 17 years (or more depending on what happens to age 60) to give to a company. Your military flying will be much more challenging and rewarding than any airline job. And did I mention the military retirement? With just a few exceptions it will surpass anything you will be able to get out of a major airline. Believe it or not, Tricare Prime beats any health plan I've seen a major offer and at much less cost. Serve your country, see the world, be all that you can be. That green grass will still be there for you when it's time to hang the flight suit up.

I would second that. Retirement plans are going away in the civilian world. Do your time collect that monthly check and go work for Fed EX or something and you'll be sitting pretty at 60.

I hit my 20 years next year and am wonder what my next job will be. I feel a lot better knowing that I've got the retirement benefits but I sure am looking forward to being done with the AF. As most folks do around here I've got my sites set on FedEx or SWA.