United Job + Reserves???
 

I'm for advice on my future plans. I’ve got a CJO w United and hope to start in March once I go terminal leave, after completing my USAF ADSC.

I’m not sure whether I would like:

1) Make a clean break from USAF
2) Do a flying gig in the Guard/Reserves
3) IMA type gig non flying OR
4) Points only Cat E job

I’ve had several AD friends leave their TR flying gigs for lower time commitment jobs so it got me thinking. I know I’ll miss the mission flying in the USAF but I’m on the fence. The one thing that could convince me to go to a TR or IMA Reserves gig would be to facilitate a GI Bill Transfer one day. I have not initiated a transfer on AD therefore the 4yr ADSC clock hasn't started. I cannot get a clean answer but if the 4yr ADSC can be served in the Reserves then it seems like a no brainer to maintain the ability to transfer that benefit.

A very significant percentage of the United pilots who came from the military stayed in the reserves or guard. Most of those who had the opportunity to stay in a flying slot did so as long as possible.

During the furloughs of the last decade, many ended up back on active duty, and finished out an active duty retirement while accruing pilot seniority and retirement credits.

How many years do you have in?

Joe

Guess it depends on the mission of your potential Guard unit. A C-17/C-5 would certainly make it harder, with all the traveling. But I certainly would encourage you to get a flying job. You'll miss flying military aircraft plus the GI Bill transfer is a huge benefit that you'll regret missing out on. A Guard/Reserve job will impact your UAL reserve schedule, but that may not be the worst thing. Depending on what aircraft you pick at UAL you may not be flying much on reserve, so mil flying will keep you in the air. BUT, I'd highly recommend living at either your airline base or your Guard base! A double commute would make your Guard/Reserve experience that much less satisfying. Even more so if the unit is in a "remote" location with only RJ service into the airport. Do it!:cool:

Oh right, this too! Things are good now, but that may not last. I saw more than a few furloughed pilots fall back to their Guard units!

Can you confirm that if I join the Reserves, I can transfer my GI Bill benefit and serve the 4yr ADSC in the Reserves? I know I'll miss the mission. I have 12.5 yrs in btw.

Correct. Whether you stay Active or go Guard/reserve, you can transfer your benefits as long as you qualify to fulfill the required service commitment. If you choose to do so, you have to state your intentions immediately to avoid any issues.

Can you please clarify this part? State intentions with who? I’m still AD.

Crazy not do do reserve/Guard for 7.5 years. Will go by quicker than you can imagine. Search for job you can enjoy and mark time. Start by flying job, can always let that go if not working out. Harder to get a flying gig longer away from flying IMO. Best of fortunes

Yes, you can do this, I did this (have 1 more year to go). But...you can’t do this as a CAT E IMA (ALO/CAPRAP). This benefit and TRS are reason enough to go CAT A/B IMA or TR over a CAT E. The GI bill combined with the yellow ribbon program are worth a ton. We are very fortunate to have it. I have 529’s as well, but this gives me a lot more wiggle room.

I also jumped ship at 12 years, took a 6 day a month Flying TR job that I commuted to. It was a great job and great group of people. I switched to a local IMA job recently, and it really fits my lifestyle much better now, not just because it’s local. Mine is a 24 day a year job, and I like that much better than 72 day’s a year. I loved military flying, but love my family and airline job more.

Being a TR first was great though,because my unit spoon fed me and I learned all about the reserves. IMA is a one stop shop, you do it all.

PM me for more details.

Go for a flying guard unit near where you will live. It will allow you to drop mil leave at the airline while you are low seniority to ease the pain of a bad schedule. There is always the furlough possibility and being a part timer is easy, no responsibility other than keeping your vol 1 reqs met. You have untill 16 years of service to transfer the gi bill. Not sure of your rank, but if you are still an O-3 but have PME complete you can automatically make 0-4 via ROPMA and make some more $. There will still be deployments and ORIs but as a part timer so that’s the CON of going Guard/reserve.