ugleeual

if WWIII (or something like the movie "independence day") kicked off; maybe... but other than that they will use stop loss.

sailingfun

A large portion of the lift required in any conflicts comes directly from the airlines. Forcing them into a pilot shortage would be counter productive. They will do as they have the last couple of major pushes and contract to the airlines.

KYTBRD

I'm sure there would be some sort of physical for recalled folks. Just fail the PT test once and you've got nothing to worry about.

JTwift

If I got recalled from retirement, I'd walk the test. Probably more of a mosey.

aeroengineer

Given most military pilots are commissioned officers (as opposed to WOs) I would say if you haven't resigned your commission you can be recalled whether in a reserve component or not. I saw some recalled in that category for a time in Iraq though I think they eventually allowed some who were recalled to resign in lieu of deployment. The first group called had some who did deploy involuntarily before policy changed.

rickair7777

If you hold a commission you'll still be in the inactive reserve in some category or other. The military does NOT want commission holders running around who are not under their thumb in some fashion. This was legally possible in the distant past but probably not today.

Often you get released automatically when your eight years are up or you hit HYT tenure for your rank.

But it's possible to keep getting promoted in the inactive reserve, which would kick that can to the right. It's also possible that they waive HYT and keep you in beyond HYT. But they can only keep you in past your obligation if you don't resign.

If it's an issue for you, make sure you resign at the latter of eight years or whatever your service obligation is.

If you never got a letter acknowledging your discharge or resignation, you might still be in the inactive reserve (or the letter might have got lost in the mail).

PurpleToolBox

You are referencing the CRAF and it doesn't really work that way.

The CRAF augments the military's capabilities. The military has to max out it's own aircraft, crews, and lift capability before the CRAF will be activated. Then there are certain levels or increments to which USTRANSCOM/SecDef can activate them. The participating airlines are given lucrative peacetime government/military business or contracts to offset costs for any potential activation. And by law, they're required to maintain crew ratios and a certain percentage of aircraft to be available if activated. I'm pretty sure this means they can't count an active reservist on their pilot list as part of the required aircrew to aircraft ratio as this reservists might be recalled.

I could be wrong ... and often I am. But I don't think I am in this manner. Any CRAF/USTRANSCOM experts?

rickair7777

Yes, you're right. Only thing I'm not sure of is if they have to maintain qualified crew who are not also military reserves. They might end up needing to train some people quickly, cuz I know a whole bunch of drilling reserves who fly widebodies. Or maybe they just plan on parking planes to man CRAF in a hurry. If it came to that, the economy and air travel would probably be down anyway.

sailingfun

I am not referencing CRAF at all. The bulk of the lift was contracted as charters by the US government. I flew many of those flights for my airline. The ramps at many US bases far from home were stuffed with airliners of every brand hauling troops and equipment. It was very lucritive flying for the airlines. If they don't have surplus pilots it's very difficult to fly on demand charters without impacting your normal operation.
CRAF is a very different animal and not what this discussion is about.

PurpleToolBox

In order to receive those contacts, you must be part of the CRAF. It is the benny for the airlines to agree to be recalled.

The normal operation of an airline will be affected depending on what level of CRAF is activated. The airlines can't renege on that.

What would the airlines be flying? Lucrative DOD contracts or normal ops?