Gunhog

General Question for the Masses-- Do you think it is better for me to wait until I have a guaranteed airline job before I throw down my separation papers (Personnel Center wants 6 months notice), or throw down now and assume I'll get hired by the time I separate?

If I wait and for some magical reason they raise the bonus to 40K I might consider staying in....

Dec 07 is the end of my commitment.

BTW- I attended the Air Inc conf in ATL and the feeling I got is that we are on the front side of a hiring boom.

1Seat 1Engine

My basic rule would be to keep your cards close to your chest. Don't show'em until the last second.

You can caveat that by what kind of commander you have. There's been dudes I worked for who I would trust to tell my plans to, but on the whole, I'd let them keep thinking you're a company man until the very last second that you have.

You never know, you might want to stay in the AF at the last second, and you may have already been passed over for some great opportunity because you were labelled a quitter.

Herkdrv

It never hurts to wait until you get orders and then decide. Get what you want and stay in. Don't get what you want and then seven day opt. In the meantime just prepare yourself for both so when the time comes you could go either way. Good luck and keep us posted on what you did.

Caesar

BTW- I attended the Air Inc conf in ATL and the feeling I got is that we are on the front side of a hiring boom.[/QUOTE]

Gunhog - I was at the Air Inc conference as well and got he same feeling. It definitely seems like a hiring boom is lurking.

Hacker15e

I have not taken the bonus as of yet. My UPT hitch is done, but I actually have two more years I owe because of going through the TX coutse. I have until September to think about taking the bonus. It all depends on what the RUMINT says about this 40K thing. I'm tempted to not take the bonus in order to keep my options open, then snag the 40K if it comes down the pike next year.

Good luck on the outside world, my friend. I'll be joining you there sometime...perhaps in '07 and perhaps not.

Gunhog

Excelent recomendations fellas.

Caesar, good to hear from you again, I remember you from the Air Inc conf.

I'm definately going to keep my cards close. With my current commander I'm worried the minute I say something I'll be shipping out for another sand box tour non-flying until my commitment ends.

I'm pursuing some Guard/Reserve options, so I think if I get picked up for one of those I'll throw down my papers.

Buzz

Me 3, I was at Air Inc too. I was amazed at the amount of USAF folks at the conference, it is like 1998 all over again, everyone is getting out! Next up: STOP LOSS!

Albief15

As a guy who talks to a LOT of folks making transitions--do whatever you can to get an ANG/Reserve slot somewhere.

There are a lot of reasons to do it, but here are a few...

1. If the balloon goes up, you are in the fight instead of on the street. Good for the soul, good for the pocketbook. Its nice to be able to take care of momma if there is another 9/11.

2. Its nice to not quit being a fighter pilot cold turkey. Five years into the reserves you may be ready to walk away. But you'll do it on your terms...

3. Money. It helps. Year 1-3 on airline salary is less than you make now. That helps.

4. Networks. If you aren't hired when you get out, you'll have a series of contacts to help you get the job you want.

5. Stability. You can put your family down near your ANG base and likely have access to some support facilities. You'll also have a social network for your family if they need it. (By the time I got out we'd already built our own community network, but it was still a comfort).

A hiring wave? Maybe. Age 60 changes, a slowing economy, and a few other factors could slow things down. However, you can stay current and put bread on the table if you can get a Guard job, and ride the storm out.

Good luck to you and Godspeed whatever you do. I just had a going-away party this week and a fini-flight in January, and I have to say flying the ANG the last five years not only was awesome, but it made me appreciate my airline job as well. It was an awesome gig, and I hope you find your niche as well.

Buzz

If you graduated SUPT on or after 1 October 2001, you have a 10 year commitment.

SJF15E

Hacker,

If you pass on the bonus this year. You will likely not be eligible to take it again the next year. You would have to wait until your year group gets offered it again which would be at least 5 years down the road when all the current bonuses expire.

I am fairly certain that if they are offering you 25K this year and you don't take it, you will not be in the running for 40K if they offer it next year.