After reading forums on here for about two weeks, I have noticed a trend. I could be wrong, but most of the military and ex-military guys( and women) on here seem to be happier than those who went straight into the airlines or some other civilian route. They give advice, sometimes not always a bright picture, but they always seem very motivated and positive. While I am sure that the military route is extremely challenging, I am beginning to be more attracted to it because of the input from the military pilots on this forum. What do people think? Obviously some will say that both civilian and military can be good, but really what are some thoughts on this subject?

 

Thats because the military is a totally different culture than the civilian world. We are used to dealing with hardships and tough situations. We may not like it and we do gripe about it, but we deal with it and move on.

 

That's an interesting observation, but I don't really think that observing posts on an airline pilot message board is really a fair barometer of the contentment of military pilots about the airline industry. Obviously anyone who is reading this board has some sort of interest in getting into the airlines, so they're generally going to have a positive attitude about it. You're not going to get the military equivelent of "SkyHigh" on here talking about how terrible it all is, because that dude is probably off doing something other than hawking the fight on an airline pilot board.

Personally, I think that you don't see military guys b*tching about things happening in the airline biz because it's so different than the lifestyle of a military pilot. When an ex-military pilot goes to an airline, he gets to basically solve all the things that military pilots hate most about their jobs -- there are no "additional duties", no desk-work BS related to trying to get promoted or fill the latest career-square, and the pay is generally much better. Oh, yeah, and you're not getting shot at, living in tents on a 4-month deployment to the desert where you can't drink or have sex.

It's not all roses, however, and you lose many of the things that are great about flying in the military -- the exciting flying, the sense of mission, the tight squadron camraderie. It's a tradeoff, but I think that by the time a military guy gets to an airline seat there is not too much to b*tch about.

24G's reply has some merit, though. Not to imply that civilian-trained and employed pilots don't, but military guys have to eat many sh*t sandwiches often enough that they're used to it.

 

Except for the day I passed my Captain upgrade final check, I don't think a day of my airline career ever equaled a similar day in my military career.

But...I was doing exactly what I wanted in the USAF. Flying fighters. I can well understand that others may feel differently...after all, the separation rates over the years are testament to that.

For me, military flying was a life style...airline flying was nothing but a job. I didn't look forward to military retirement...I did in the airlines.

Back to the poster's original question...the value of a military flying background cannot be overstated when considering going to the airlines. While I would not endorse the idea of going into the military for the purpose of sweetening the hiring process later, I do recognize the advantages that military time brings to the table.

 

Although I wasn't unhappy in the military (most of the time anyway) I am much happier now that I am out. 20 years was enough, and I can't believe how much better things are on the outside.

FJ

 

I agree completely with your post Hacker. Don't forget one of the biggest tradeoffs...Job Security. As a double furloughee, I can attest to the enormity of that tradeoff...Huge!

 

I'm about to get out of the Air Force and I completely agree with Hacker15e. I just happen to get back from another 4 month deployment and I said enough was enough. I don't mind deploying, but deploying sit behind a desk and work with powerpoint slides and excel sheets for some stuck up generals isn't something I thought I signed up for. I thought pilots were suppose to fly, but the Air Force doesn't always see it that way.

I guess I sound a little bitter. BTW, did I mentioned I just got back from a deployment?

 

Moose, you looking to get into the Reserves?

 

Back to the poster's original question...the value of a military flying background cannot be overstated when considering going to the airlines. While I would not endorse the idea of going into the military for the purpose of sweetening the hiring process later, I do recognize the advantages that military time brings to the table.[/QUOTE]


arrogance at it's finest

 

arrogance at it's finest[/QUOTE]

Are you being sarcastic?

Far from it...It's the reality that the younger pilots on this and other boards need to hear...Military takes a certain type of personality and the airlines / fortune 500 companies look for the same in their ranks.

-LAFF