Scraggly Heron

Unfortunately being passed over in SOF makes your persona non-grata and then some. It's a rare exception anywhere in the AF that this is not the case.

For those earlier in their careers: given the risks involved, unless you get a DP and a school recommendation on your Major board, get out of the AF as soon as possible.

Lurchi

Stay till 20 with AF or go airlines now? Always an interesting question because the answer reveals what you value. Airline pilots talk in terms of money (seniority and pay) and time off with the goal to work as little as possible for as much pay as possible. In other words the satisfaction of this job is not the job itself but what it allows you to do. Money isn't everything, how many airline pilots are making plenty and still unhappy? I know many AF pilots now flying for the airlines that talk with fondness about their active duty days and what might have been if they stayed in. So I think the decision comes down to what really matters to you...if you value achievement and job satisfaction then maybe you should stay military for now if you enjoy it until you can retire. If you just want to make money and have time to spend it but don't really care about achieving anything then maybe you should jump to airlines. It really comes down to what you value and what you want to do with the finite number of heart beats you will have before you keel over. Btw I'm a 25 yr vet that is extremely content to have completed a career in the AF and now have the opportunity to retire to the airlines with nothing left to prove or accomplish...my answer reveals what I value.

thrust

Those IDE-select majors are bailing left and right. I'm one of them. Command isn't at all appealing and the pay/benefits/work-life balance/job satisfaction aren't nearly good enough You'd be a complete moron (and/or a beta) to stay on AD these days.

HuggyU2

Don't be too quick to judge. Everyone has different goals.

I know plenty of people that believe you're a moron for working in a union job, where seniority rules, and meritocracy doesn't exist... just to "drive a bus".

To each their own.

awakenedpilot

I think this is a big thing to consider. As I've gone down my own career change path from management and back to fkyibg, I've talked to former commanders of mine that absolutely loved leading people and the satisfaction it brought. However even for them there comes a time when that satisfaction runs out either due to more promotions and things getting too political for their liking, or just plain being burned out.

The biggest thing they've all said is that they're home with their families more even if they're gone 3-4 days a week some weeks than when they were "home" every night in the later years of their careers. Obviously a passed over major may not be working 12-14 hour days compared to a commander, but just something to consider.

One former commander told me he has found ways to fulfill himself outside of the airline job by volunteering and getting involved in the community.

When looking at it this way, it's a lot to consider, even if the answer seems 99% obvious. You still need to find what will make you tick or you'll go crazy.


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rickair7777

Airlines provide money, stability (not always historically, but safe enough bet right now), time off, and flexibility.

Plenty of opportunity to do right by the family and still have bandwidth for fulfillment. Want military fulfillment? Plenty of opportunity in the reserves. AC is tapped out, and any RC who wants to play hard can go far. I've managed to become key leadership at an echelon II command, more fulfillment that I really need to be honest. careful what you wish for.

kme9418

For many, the job satisfaction with the military started declining a long time ago. I'm also surprised to learn that airline pilots don't really care about achieving anything nor do they get any job satisfaction. A lot changed in the 24 years I was in the military...not always for the better. Now I am much happier enjoying my time as an airline pilot where I have a better QoL and get more quality time with my FAMILY. By the way, I'm making less money now as an airline pilot than I did as an active duty Lt Col with the bonus.

John Carr

Kind of true, but painting with a broad brush.

Live to work, OR work to live?

Almost 2 decades in the airlines now, and most of that was through the lowest/darkest the industry has seen. Times that could sour many of us in this silly little pursuit of flying planes for a living. Going through multiple displacements, downgrades, concessions, a Ch11/furlough/shutdown and starting over.

I like being an airline pilot, but I wouldn't say that airline pilots in general "need" it to feel satisfaction or achievement. Nor care about acheiving anything. That I made it here is enough for me. Al beit, it took way longer than it would have barring 9/11, age 65, 2008 recession, what have you.

Just speaking for myself, I get satisfaction out what this job provides for me OUTSIDE the job. Picking up a new hobby, having the time to spend with friends and family, learning a new skill/language, seeing places I wouldn't see otherwise, and the free transportation from happy hour to happy hour the job provides. All that time I spent IN airplanes trying to achieve this career has freed me up to spend as LITTLE time in airplanes to achieve other things.

There's a couple schools of thought;

"Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life", meh.....OR the one a wise old man taught me long ago;

"Keep you job separate from your passions and hobbies and you'll be happier".

I conform to the latter, and work to live.

Other's mileage may vary.....

Sputnik

I'm just curious, why would you do that when there are plenty of airline jobs that pay far more than O5? Unless you are on first year pay?

kme9418

Great question. I'm currently at an airline with a contract that is not competitive in this market. Applications are out along with most of my peers at this company.