Should I pursue a major... QoL?
 

Well I’m an AD USAF pilot considering getting out at 15 years to pursue a major airline job. I’m a little nervous about being away from the family a bunch. With that said if I get out I think my ideal airline would allow be to be home the most nights. Is there a major airline that would be better suited for this. Money isn’t a huge deal to me but I don’t want to be poor either. I’ve heard you can drop trips with SWA if someone wants your trip and I heard something similar with United. And I’ve heard mixed things about reserve... like your jet needs to be overmanned to make it a good deal which can change and that perhaps bidding reserve during slow months makes more sense, and that at SWA they fly you a bunch on reserve, etc. Also, if I get out before 20 I’d be flying with a KC-135 unit part time and should be able to drop mil leave from time to time. With that said any advice/info on how many nights I’ll be home on an good/bad month on a given airline (if I try to drop/trade trips, sit reserve, use mil leave, etc), and any info on how does life airlines plus guard/reserve compare to AD, is much appreciated.

Ex AF dude here. Live in base, bid reserve, and live the dream.

I haven’t flown since October 28th and have to go hit the sim for currency.
Delta 7erB, almost 4 years on property, about 60% in category last time I checked.

I commuted for 2 months and that was enough to have some serious sympathy for those folks. I started offering foot massages to help them relieve stress, but only the Tinder guy accepted

You're a KC-135 pilot in the current Ops Tempo and trips to the Deed but you're worried that you'll be gone from home more at the airlines? I'm gone from home 12-14 days per month. One the days I am home, I don't have to do DTS, MICT, Chem Warfare Training...

Yeah I’m doing staff work and so far averaging 5 days away from home per month in a little over a year and foresee a similar ops tempo for the next two years but you are correct I won’t have to worry about DTS and the other BS or the threat of a 365.

Just trying to get a rough idea of what the next 20 some years of my life would look like before I leap.

If you want to be home almost every night, live in domicile and bid for one day trips (when you are senior enough to hold them). Or fly for allegiance because almost their entire business model is just flying out and back trips from heir domiciles.

If you want to gaurentee being home every night you picked the wrong career. Best option is to live in base and bid day trips/ rsv. But on rsv you have the option of getting used a lot. Allegiant is all day trips that pays all right. But good luck making your choice.

Did staff work last six years Going away again was shock to family, but lived in base so reserve time was actually awesome for family life. Only regret not getting out earlier instead of chasing one more promotion.

AA/reservist made point on how important seniority is. The longer you wait can be difference between continued employment and furlough. His friend put off class date til one after him. After 9/11 he still had job and friend furloughed..... so get out now and get earliest class you can


Allegiants home every night if thats what works for you family.

As you may have surmised by now the only answer to your question is Allegiant.

Pretty much...pay is lower than other majors/legacy carriers, but more nights at home.

Suggestions of "once senior" isnt much help, because guess what you'll be doing in the meantime...

Basically need to decide what is more important; being home just about every night or flying for a legacy and making more money.

Is the choice really that binary? Are there no middle ground options? Meaning, are there any airlines more predisposed than others to allow you as a junior guy to drop for a paycut and decrease your TAFB, without making this a "allegiant or pick a different career" dichotomy? Honest question.