Best Use of the GI Bill for a Military Pilot
01-09-2018, 01:20 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 606
Best Use of the GI Bill for a Military Pilot
I'm a military helicopter transitioning from active duty to the regional airlines. I've already got all my prerequisites and fixed-wing instructor ratings completed and will be starting my new job within the year.
That said, I've got 100% (36 months) of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits available and would like to put them to use. A masters degree or additional type rating makes the most sense, but I'm curious if anyone has any recommendations as to what to pursue and in what order/priority in order to help bolster one's application for a major airline. Even outside of an additional degree or aircraft type, perhaps there are some interesting uses for the benefit that can be put to use.
Looking forward to the input!
That said, I've got 100% (36 months) of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits available and would like to put them to use. A masters degree or additional type rating makes the most sense, but I'm curious if anyone has any recommendations as to what to pursue and in what order/priority in order to help bolster one's application for a major airline. Even outside of an additional degree or aircraft type, perhaps there are some interesting uses for the benefit that can be put to use.
Looking forward to the input!
01-09-2018, 06:35 AM
#3
China Visa Applicant
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Midfield downwind
Posts: 1,919
Originally Posted by Dragon7
Your oldest kid’s college while in first year major pay.
Hopefully you've made your GI bill transferable to your dependents, as *that* is the best use of it in the big picture.
There's really nothing in terms of type ratings or other aviation qualifications (since you apparently already have your ATP and CFI/II/MEI) that is going to tangibly help you make the leap to career destination airline faster.
Theoretically, you could get a Masters with it, but I don't think that really adds enough value to be worth the money spent (especially compared to what that will be worth to send your kids through college).
01-09-2018, 07:12 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,120
Originally Posted by Hacker15e
This.
Hopefully you've made your GI bill transferable to your dependents, as *that* is the best use of it in the big picture.
.
Hopefully you've made your GI bill transferable to your dependents, as *that* is the best use of it in the big picture.
.
Would be interesting to see how painful it would be to get an additional masters (or bachelors) in-residence in something easy/low workload and supplement first year pay in a high COL area with some nice E-5 BAH...
Last edited by thrust; 01-09-2018 at 07:13 AM. Reason: grammerz
01-09-2018, 07:43 AM
#5
China Visa Applicant
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Midfield downwind
Posts: 1,919
Originally Posted by thrust
Some of us don’t want to incur any additional commitment to the military by transferring the GI Bill to our kids, given the latest about non-vol non-flying 180s/365s to the ARC. Also, you assume the GI Bill, in its current form, will exist in 15+ years when my kids could use it.
Would be interesting to see how painful it would be to get an additional masters (or bachelors) in-residence in something easy/low workload and supplement first year pay in a high COL area with some nice E-5 BAH...
Would be interesting to see how painful it would be to get an additional masters (or bachelors) in-residence in something easy/low workload and supplement first year pay in a high COL area with some nice E-5 BAH...
Just don't think -- especially if you are a KC-10 guy as your avatar indicates -- that a random advanced degree or a type rating with no time in the aircraft is going to tangibly increase your chances of getting an interview call. Given two otherwise equally qualified applicants, yes a masters or an additional type rating might be a tie breaker. But, in the current hiring environment, both applicants are probably getting interview calls.
That being said, I'd have to question the sense of the plan to go get an in-residence degree while on probation at an airline job, E-5 BAH or not.
01-09-2018, 11:41 AM
#6
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,211
In this order....
FAA ratings, if needed.
Masters degree. Will add points to your airline app, and aid promotion in the reserves. Also useful if you lose your medical.
If you don't need it any of that, kids college.
If none of the above, self fulfillment.
FAA ratings, if needed.
Masters degree. Will add points to your airline app, and aid promotion in the reserves. Also useful if you lose your medical.
If you don't need it any of that, kids college.
If none of the above, self fulfillment.
01-09-2018, 12:53 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: B777; Left Seat.
Posts: 253
If you have kids with college aspirations/potential, I understand that you will realize the most benefit from this option. If you are seriously considering a graduate degree, the only one I would recommend for someone who intends to fly for a living is law school. You will experience a whole new world of scum you will work for. They will use every trick (legal and illegal) to cheat you out of your pay. You and your colleagues will be well served if you are prepared to fight management the way they choose to fight you. Any other graduate degree for a pilot is WORTHLESS.
01-09-2018, 04:39 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,120
Originally Posted by Hacker15e
If you're just going to not otherwise use your GI Bill, then feel free to go find something to use it on.
Just don't think -- especially if you are a KC-10 guy as your avatar indicates -- that a random advanced degree or a type rating with no time in the aircraft is going to tangibly increase your chances of getting an interview call. Given two otherwise equally qualified applicants, yes a masters or an additional type rating might be a tie breaker. But, in the current hiring environment, both applicants are probably getting interview calls.
That being said, I'd have to question the sense of the plan to go get an in-residence degree while on probation at an airline job, E-5 BAH or not.
Just don't think -- especially if you are a KC-10 guy as your avatar indicates -- that a random advanced degree or a type rating with no time in the aircraft is going to tangibly increase your chances of getting an interview call. Given two otherwise equally qualified applicants, yes a masters or an additional type rating might be a tie breaker. But, in the current hiring environment, both applicants are probably getting interview calls.
That being said, I'd have to question the sense of the plan to go get an in-residence degree while on probation at an airline job, E-5 BAH or not.
01-10-2018, 04:15 AM
#9
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,211
Originally Posted by Spike from flyi
If you have kids with college aspirations/potential, I understand that you will realize the most benefit from this option. If you are seriously considering a graduate degree, the only one I would recommend for someone who intends to fly for a living is law school. You will experience a whole new world of scum you will work for. They will use every trick (legal and illegal) to cheat you out of your pay. You and your colleagues will be well served if you are prepared to fight management the way they choose to fight you. Any other graduate degree for a pilot is WORTHLESS.
Getting hired requires a full court press, every advantage counts. Your competition isn't pulling any punches. If you have time and the GI Bill is paying, might as well.
01-11-2018, 04:30 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: B777; Left Seat.
Posts: 253
Originally Posted by rickair7777
No, it will add points to your app. Maybe the difference between getting called next month or next year, or retiring from DAL but vice jetblue.
Getting hired requires a full court press, every advantage counts. Your competition isn't pulling any punches. If you have time and the GI Bill is paying, might as well.
Getting hired requires a full court press, every advantage counts. Your competition isn't pulling any punches. If you have time and the GI Bill is paying, might as well.
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