Where to start? AF to airlines
 

Hey all. I am currently a C-130 pilot and am looking into transitioning to the airlines, but am unsure about where to start. My commitment to the AF ends in 2024, and I want to settle near MSP, but I am new to the airline world which comes with jargon all its own. Does anyone have any helpful resources that will aid me in comparing airlines and making sure I check all the boxes to make myself most marketable? I really don't know if I want majors or regionals at this point, but I want to do more research and the posts on these forums have a ton of acronyms I don't know yet. Thanks for your help!

2024? Honestly, you should focus on your USAF career/flying. Stay sharp in the herc, get picked up for IP school/Safety/Stan Eval, etc. That will make you competitve. You're not even half way through your ADSC and a lot will change over 6 years. Keep up on information and SA on the industry for when the time comes, but focusing on being the best at what you do now will pay off when it's time to put your apps in.

Thanks for the advice. I am definitely not checked out of the herk yet and I will be going to IP school in a few months, but I am trying to find the best places to stay tuned in to the airline news for when the time comes. I get a feeling that there is a bit more to it than picking a place to live and getting hired, but my wife's heart is set on MSP, so whatever I can learn ahead of time to properly set her expectations would be great.

You’re at the right place to stay tuned in. But your priority right now is your AF career, do well there and most likely your resume will be strong, and you’ll have options staying or going. Try to become an evaluator, go to any and all career enhancing schools offered (safety, etc).

Start developing a plan that will have your assignment right before your ADSC be flying, and have that assignment’s end coinsign with your ADSC (in other words...don’t get an ADSC extension!!)

Fly with reservist Airline guys, make a good impression and keep in touch. This will start your network building for LOR’s

I lurked on these boards for years before bailing, probably with 8 years left on my ADSC. At that time, I focused entirely on The cargo forum, because that’s who was hiring,then my ADSC came up and it reversed, they stopped hiring and everyone else started. My dream job of FedEx wasn’t hiring when I bailed, but I’m happy where I’m at.

If you like MSP, then DAL should be your first, second, and third choice. Then AA and UA, since they have bases at ORD. FDX (BNA) and UPS (SDF) should also be on your radar.

Get in with The Pilot Network as well.

Don't we all wish. :D

Ceewonthurdees, absolutely love your forum callsign, very creative :)

I flew C-130E's in the 80's. Probably the best Additional Duty I got was Flight Safety Officer/Aircraft Accident Investigator.

Watch out for small units. I upgraded to IP but never logged any IP time because I was in a 1 aircraft unit with a Special Ops C-130 we couldn't use for proficiency flying. Had to swipe plain cargo C-130's for that whenever one was doing a RON. Only 5 line pilots plus Ops Officer and CO who flew part time. All Chiefs, no Indians so no one to instruct and very limited proficiency flying.

As others have said, get IP upgrade done and strive for Stan-Eval. Avoid non-flying staff tours like the plague.

If you get drafted for UPT Instructor try to get the T-1. It's over 12,500lbs (at least the Hawker 400 is) and you'll get lots of IP/PIC time.

And be careful with your obligation. I took tuition assistance for my Master's and failed to do the math, wound up with an extra 6 months of active duty. That was some very expensive tuition assistance. :(

Join the RST Delta Prieview FB page, and the RST military transition FB page. Also download the Aerocrew newsstand app so you can look at basic contract comparisons.

Get as qualified in the plane as you can and be a productive member of the team until you drop your papers officially.

Airbear,
Were you in the Berlin-for-Lunch Bunch?
I tried escaping Fayetteville to that, along with most everything else, to avoid The Rock. Didn't work. Ended up enjoying my time as an 'FJ'!