Retire now or in three years?
12-15-2018, 02:55 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Posts: 160
A lot of guys are advocating for getting out sooner to get the coveted seniority number. I think this argument has a LOT of merit - and this is what I did but... My philosophy is a bit different now. You stated several times how much you enjoy what you're doing for Uncle Sam. It has a lot of meaning to you. I would not make your decision based purely on financial considerations. If you are truly happy doing what you're doing now, keep doing it until you can't do it any more - then find something new and enjoy able to do.
In the long run you'll probably make a bit less money and you'll probably be a bit less senior. But you'll have three more years of your life doing something that you KNOW brings you joy, vs three years of something you THINK will bring you joy. With your retirement and whatever flying job you get you'll surely have enough income to be comfortable. $$ =/= happiness, nor does seniority - although they both help!
And since none of us know how long we'll really live, I'd rather have a couple of more years of doing what I know I enjoy than rolling the dice on something new.
In the long run you'll probably make a bit less money and you'll probably be a bit less senior. But you'll have three more years of your life doing something that you KNOW brings you joy, vs three years of something you THINK will bring you joy. With your retirement and whatever flying job you get you'll surely have enough income to be comfortable. $$ =/= happiness, nor does seniority - although they both help!
And since none of us know how long we'll really live, I'd rather have a couple of more years of doing what I know I enjoy than rolling the dice on something new.
12-23-2018, 02:50 PM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,622
Three years? My God stay in!!! There are people who live the rest of their lives not working on an enlisted retirement.
Since you are older you’re never going to see great seniority so don’t give up your retirement for it.
Since you are older you’re never going to see great seniority so don’t give up your retirement for it.
12-23-2018, 02:58 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 2,297
Originally Posted by PurpleToolBox
Three years? My God stay in!!! There are people who live the rest of their lives not working on an enlisted retirement.
Since you are older you’re never going to see great seniority so don’t give up your retirement for it.
Since you are older you’re never going to see great seniority so don’t give up your retirement for it.
He can retire now or stay for 1 more enlisted assignment and retire in 3 years. Either way, he’s going to retire. I’m guessing that might change your answer.
12-23-2018, 04:03 PM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,205
Originally Posted by OrionDriver
A lot of guys are advocating for getting out sooner to get the coveted seniority number. I think this argument has a LOT of merit - and this is what I did but... My philosophy is a bit different now. You stated several times how much you enjoy what you're doing for Uncle Sam. It has a lot of meaning to you. I would not make your decision based purely on financial considerations. If you are truly happy doing what you're doing now, keep doing it until you can't do it any more - then find something new and enjoy able to do.
In the long run you'll probably make a bit less money and you'll probably be a bit less senior. But you'll have three more years of your life doing something that you KNOW brings you joy, vs three years of something you THINK will bring you joy. With your retirement and whatever flying job you get you'll surely have enough income to be comfortable. $$ =/= happiness, nor does seniority - although they both help!
And since none of us know how long we'll really live, I'd rather have a couple of more years of doing what I know I enjoy than rolling the dice on something new.
In the long run you'll probably make a bit less money and you'll probably be a bit less senior. But you'll have three more years of your life doing something that you KNOW brings you joy, vs three years of something you THINK will bring you joy. With your retirement and whatever flying job you get you'll surely have enough income to be comfortable. $$ =/= happiness, nor does seniority - although they both help!
And since none of us know how long we'll really live, I'd rather have a couple of more years of doing what I know I enjoy than rolling the dice on something new.
At the end of his career, if he could predict the future, would he prefer three more years of doing what he's currently doing or would the best three years of his airliner career, perhaps as a 777 FO flying around the world or an A320 CA in the U.S., more interesting?
We have lifelong pilots upgrade with months to go to retirement just to be a major airline Captain. There's a value in that too. He knows how much he values his current job but it's hard to understand how much you might appreciate the new opportunity. It's a tough call.
Like the NFL player who retired to be a regional FO. What!?!?! It was step one that he had to take for the transition to his next career. He's loving being a major airline pilot for the last 20 years.
12-23-2018, 04:59 PM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,622
Originally Posted by PRS Guitars
Re-read his question.
He can retire now or stay for 1 more enlisted assignment and retire in 3 years. Either way, he’s going to retire. I’m guessing that might change your answer.
He can retire now or stay for 1 more enlisted assignment and retire in 3 years. Either way, he’s going to retire. I’m guessing that might change your answer.
12-30-2018, 04:38 PM
#46
New Hire
Joined APC: Dec 2018
Posts: 9
Originally Posted by BravoZulu
Greetings all. I am a long time reader and appreciate all the great feedback and advice given on here. Here is my situation -- I would love to hear your thoughts of wisdom.
I am enlisted active duty and retirement eligible. I am not in an aviation field, however I have worked off-duty as a CFI on evenings and weekends for many years. I have 2500 TT and all the associated minimums for a full ATP. I am looking toward interviewing with regional airlines in the near future in pursuit of my second career. I am 47 with a masters degree. If possible, I would love to be able to conclude my airline career as a NYC-based narrow body FO at one of the big 3, but here is my dilemma:
I absolutely love my job in the military. It is rewarding, fulfilling, and nourishes my soul, and quite frankly I don't want to leave. However under High Year Tenure, I am forced out in three years. Possibility for advancement to the next rank is slim, so this time frame is the reasonable expectation I have to work with. Additionally, my field has limited application outside of the military. I am struggling mightily with this choice, even after having had numerous conversations with my wife and friends. I can:
1. Retire summer 2019 at age 47 to get in on this hiring wave now and maximize my airline career, but sacrifice three years of what I love doing.
2. Retire in summer 2022 at age 50, get all I can out of the job I love, get a modestly better pension, but potentially eliminate my possibility of getting to a major airline.
If my chances of making it to a legacy are very low even if I begin next summer at age 47, then I would just stay the three more years in the military, followed by a 15-year career at a regional. But what do you think? Are my prospects for a major strong enough to warrant retiring now?
Thank you all in advance for your input, I will consider all of it carefully.
I am enlisted active duty and retirement eligible. I am not in an aviation field, however I have worked off-duty as a CFI on evenings and weekends for many years. I have 2500 TT and all the associated minimums for a full ATP. I am looking toward interviewing with regional airlines in the near future in pursuit of my second career. I am 47 with a masters degree. If possible, I would love to be able to conclude my airline career as a NYC-based narrow body FO at one of the big 3, but here is my dilemma:
I absolutely love my job in the military. It is rewarding, fulfilling, and nourishes my soul, and quite frankly I don't want to leave. However under High Year Tenure, I am forced out in three years. Possibility for advancement to the next rank is slim, so this time frame is the reasonable expectation I have to work with. Additionally, my field has limited application outside of the military. I am struggling mightily with this choice, even after having had numerous conversations with my wife and friends. I can:
1. Retire summer 2019 at age 47 to get in on this hiring wave now and maximize my airline career, but sacrifice three years of what I love doing.
2. Retire in summer 2022 at age 50, get all I can out of the job I love, get a modestly better pension, but potentially eliminate my possibility of getting to a major airline.
If my chances of making it to a legacy are very low even if I begin next summer at age 47, then I would just stay the three more years in the military, followed by a 15-year career at a regional. But what do you think? Are my prospects for a major strong enough to warrant retiring now?
Thank you all in advance for your input, I will consider all of it carefully.
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