I would love to pursue a UPT position in the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard, but I am concerned about losing the opportunity to potentially secure a seniority number with a major carrier during the uptick of hiring in the next few years if I take a 'detour' with military training.

I recently left the U.S. Army just shy of 8 years of active duty service as a UH-60 instructor pilot in pursuit of an airline career. I am closing in on 30 years of age and, with the current policy change allowing UPT up to age 33, this would likely be my only opportunity to potentially 'go blue.' I am loving the airline gig and am excited about career opportunities available at the majors in the coming years, but part of me knows I'll be miss the camaraderie and the mission-oriented flying with the military. I've considered continued flying in the ARNG/USAR, but I am ready for a change of pace and want to stay fixed-wing centric for the remainder of my career.

Would it ultimately hurt the expediency of getting hired a major airline if I went through Air Force training at this point in my career? In a perfect world, I'd love to get to a major and then secure an AFR/ANG flying gig, but I'd likely be too old and miss the window of opportunity to go to UPT. In the same breath, over a 30-35 year career at the airlines, I'd kick myself at the tail end of my career if I lost thousands of seniority numbers because I didn't stay the course and grind out my 121 time to be competitive for a major/legacy. In the short term, I doubt I'd accumulate enough Air Force flying time to make myself competitive at a major whereas the time spent in UPT and aircraft qualification I could have upgraded at an airline and closed in on 1,000 airplane TPIC.

I know the answer is likely not black and white, but I am curious to hear other perspectives and insights on the pros and cons of each path at this point.

 

I would lean fixed with pilot training with the Guard/Reserves, over trying to get on right away with a regional.

That UPT training will put you in a faster track to the majors. The ‘detour’ will be shorter lived, not 10+ years. Down the road you also have that secondary retirement benefits.

I do like back up plans. If that stalls in any way, keep pushing forward with plan B.

 

I like having backup plans, too.

I guess that's really the heart of the issue ... if I stick with the civ track, I'd probably have 3,500+ turbine time (1,500 airplane TPIC / 1,000 TSIC / 1,000 mil turbine helo) by mid-2022 which would be around equivalent timeline I'd probably be done with Air Force training.

If I went the Air Force Reserve / Air Guard route, by the time I got boarded and went to training, I'd probably have around 1,000 Part 121 SIC and upgrade eligible.

I am currently with an AAG wholly-owned regional carrier and am able to fly 70-85 hours a month and have a flow in my back pocket.

I guess the concern is, once hiring really picks up at the majors in the coming years, I don't wanna miss the opportunity for a seniority number I'm behind in TPIC 121 time. If it's close to a wash with UPT, then it's probably an awesome opportunity.

 

If you goal is a U/LCC you’ll get there fine with the background you have once you get some fixed wing time. It’s difficult to get to a legacy quickly with predominantly helo time/low airline time without some other boxes checked. It’s likely that being a military fixed wing pilot will more than offset the delay in building hours by going to UPT.

 

Since you’re already with a regional, you can ‘hold’ your spot I’d think while active with UPT training?

I also think your previous military helo time/experience is valuable, no such things as absolutes though. As you know from prior service, time with family will change a good bit.

Depending on the type of unit, military flying has unique characteristics, another factoid. Wouldn’t going off with Uncle Sam just put you closer to ‘flow’ when you came back?

Just some considerations, of course you know various particulars better than any of us.

 

There is a very real possibility you could delay your timeline to a major. However, if things don’t go as quickly as you hope with the uptick in hiring, the backup of having the Guard/Reserve where you can get active orders, continue flying jets if you’re furloughed, etc. shouldn’t be discounted. Plus, mil FW will likely give you an edge going forward whereas there aren’t really any guarantees even getting 1,000 TPIC in 121 will get you the call. All things to consider.