Civillian vs. Military Pilot (or both?)
06-07-2020, 06:36 AM
#21
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Joined APC: Jan 2020
Posts: 40
Figured I'd weigh in. The industry is down for the count and considering what could be looming in October for most majors, even regionals, it could be a complete knockout for a few years. I was furloughed from new-hire training with OO, so here's my strategy to move forward so maybe y'all can draw from this.
1. Military: Here are my tips:
- If you're serious, call units or recruiters now and schedule the AFOQT/TBAS. I did so for myself about 6-weeks ago and still have 4 weeks until my test...and that's only tentative (aka long wait times).
- I didn't see it mentioned but hop on bogidope . com and get to clicking. Not only does it lay out the path for anyone interesting in applying for ANG/Reserves, but it also shows every squadron/wing in the country, what they fly, when their application deadlines are, and, with luck, up to date POCs.
- Clean up your social media/LinkedIn -- never know who's watching.
- Diversify yourself as much as you can. With hundreds, if not thousands scrambling to find work, the Air Force/military is looking juicy so find ways to set your resume apart (volunteer) from the next guy. For context, the 190th Fighter Squadron in Boise, ID flies A-10Cs and had 200 +/- applicants in 2019, 20 were called to the Boards, only 2 was accepted. For further context, a very close friend who is enlisted in the ANG went there in 2019 for the Board and was 4th. She had obviously applied elsewhere too and was later hired to fly F-35s; so spread your applications out. A second example, this one individual received a KC-135 slot because he chose to sit with the Boom Operators at lunch vs the Pilots, and then he held his own at the bar that night when an ERAU grad didn't. Remember, they have to want to hang out with you for the next 10+ years.
- Other: Get your letters of recommendation now. Compile paperwork now for every shred of your life that you can muster (especially injury/sickness). Work out. Call the crap out of everybody. Network. MAKE THEM TELL YOU NO.
2. Federal Law Enforcement:
- Yup, they're hiring. Most 3 letter agencies require one (1) year of service before you can join the air operations, but not the Customs and Border Protection: Air and Marine Operation: Air Interdiction Agent aka Pilot. There's a thread available on this topic, so I suggest sinking your teeth in there or PM me. BUT, quickly, great pay, no contract/commitment, you receive a Top Secret clearance and great training (16-20 weeks long)... and guess what, it looks great on a resume to an ANG squadron; and you could do both. The major downside is the likelihood of flying a plane from the get-go is low. MQ9s (UAS) are more likely, but, in this market (now remember, I have the hours and was already at the airlines and this is my thought), any job is a good job. You won't build hours, but it can either be a stepping stone elsewhere or a way to pay-to-fly on the side to build hours.
- It can't hurt to apply. Get the job offer and then decide if you want it. For context, I submitted my application via airlineapps . com in mid-April and my Polygraph is next week. It's moving quickly.
3. Part 91/91K,135:
- No, you're likely not going to get hired to fly a Gulfstream, Hawker, Beechjet, Lear, Citation, etc. You probably don't have the hours and there are hundreds of pilots who do who need jobs. But that's okay because there are jobs that those guys don't want to do that you could do to build time (Pipeline, cargo, survey, skydive, island hopper). In this market, you'll have to disregard location, pay, or schedule and just get what you can get. If it has a turbine in it, take it. It sucks, but that's the hustle. Start with climbto350 . com or bizjetjobs . com.. Those sites are pay-to-play so fair warning, but lots of opportunities you didn't know existed.
4. Get your damn CFI ratings.
- Seriously, with $100,000 in debt, what's another $10-15k. You'll only regret not getting them, they look great on resumes, and its an easy fall-back or side hustle. Make sure to take the written exams for your ground instructor ratings at the same time (they're the same test and another resume booster).
Network your self out to everyone. Email, call, text, tweet, carrier pigeon, DM everyone. Make sure they know your name and face. Work at an FBO too in order to network more easily. DO NOT burn a bridge. One of my instructors flew for Donald Trump in his 757, so you never know who you'll meet or who they know. Finally, If there's one thing I love about aviators is that it's the only group of individuals that are actually willing to share advice and help. Starting here is the first step.
Happy hunting... and if anyone knows of a flying gig, PM me, please.
1. Military: Here are my tips:
- If you're serious, call units or recruiters now and schedule the AFOQT/TBAS. I did so for myself about 6-weeks ago and still have 4 weeks until my test...and that's only tentative (aka long wait times).
- I didn't see it mentioned but hop on bogidope . com and get to clicking. Not only does it lay out the path for anyone interesting in applying for ANG/Reserves, but it also shows every squadron/wing in the country, what they fly, when their application deadlines are, and, with luck, up to date POCs.
- Clean up your social media/LinkedIn -- never know who's watching.
- Diversify yourself as much as you can. With hundreds, if not thousands scrambling to find work, the Air Force/military is looking juicy so find ways to set your resume apart (volunteer) from the next guy. For context, the 190th Fighter Squadron in Boise, ID flies A-10Cs and had 200 +/- applicants in 2019, 20 were called to the Boards, only 2 was accepted. For further context, a very close friend who is enlisted in the ANG went there in 2019 for the Board and was 4th. She had obviously applied elsewhere too and was later hired to fly F-35s; so spread your applications out. A second example, this one individual received a KC-135 slot because he chose to sit with the Boom Operators at lunch vs the Pilots, and then he held his own at the bar that night when an ERAU grad didn't. Remember, they have to want to hang out with you for the next 10+ years.
- Other: Get your letters of recommendation now. Compile paperwork now for every shred of your life that you can muster (especially injury/sickness). Work out. Call the crap out of everybody. Network. MAKE THEM TELL YOU NO.
2. Federal Law Enforcement:
- Yup, they're hiring. Most 3 letter agencies require one (1) year of service before you can join the air operations, but not the Customs and Border Protection: Air and Marine Operation: Air Interdiction Agent aka Pilot. There's a thread available on this topic, so I suggest sinking your teeth in there or PM me. BUT, quickly, great pay, no contract/commitment, you receive a Top Secret clearance and great training (16-20 weeks long)... and guess what, it looks great on a resume to an ANG squadron; and you could do both. The major downside is the likelihood of flying a plane from the get-go is low. MQ9s (UAS) are more likely, but, in this market (now remember, I have the hours and was already at the airlines and this is my thought), any job is a good job. You won't build hours, but it can either be a stepping stone elsewhere or a way to pay-to-fly on the side to build hours.
- It can't hurt to apply. Get the job offer and then decide if you want it. For context, I submitted my application via airlineapps . com in mid-April and my Polygraph is next week. It's moving quickly.
3. Part 91/91K,135:
- No, you're likely not going to get hired to fly a Gulfstream, Hawker, Beechjet, Lear, Citation, etc. You probably don't have the hours and there are hundreds of pilots who do who need jobs. But that's okay because there are jobs that those guys don't want to do that you could do to build time (Pipeline, cargo, survey, skydive, island hopper). In this market, you'll have to disregard location, pay, or schedule and just get what you can get. If it has a turbine in it, take it. It sucks, but that's the hustle. Start with climbto350 . com or bizjetjobs . com.. Those sites are pay-to-play so fair warning, but lots of opportunities you didn't know existed.
4. Get your damn CFI ratings.
- Seriously, with $100,000 in debt, what's another $10-15k. You'll only regret not getting them, they look great on resumes, and its an easy fall-back or side hustle. Make sure to take the written exams for your ground instructor ratings at the same time (they're the same test and another resume booster).
Network your self out to everyone. Email, call, text, tweet, carrier pigeon, DM everyone. Make sure they know your name and face. Work at an FBO too in order to network more easily. DO NOT burn a bridge. One of my instructors flew for Donald Trump in his 757, so you never know who you'll meet or who they know. Finally, If there's one thing I love about aviators is that it's the only group of individuals that are actually willing to share advice and help. Starting here is the first step.
Happy hunting... and if anyone knows of a flying gig, PM me, please.
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