Stepping away for 4 years
 

Hey all, was just looking for advice to see what everyone thought. I am currently projected to be furloughed from my current airline and might have an opportunity to go do a 4 year tour with the military.

Was curious what recruiters at the majors would think if I interview after not flying for 4 years and coming with really low turbine time. Any advice would be grateful!

Depends a whole lot what your current numbers are, but lack of recency is never a plus.

Your old airline will take you back - if it still exists.

IF they’re even hiring by then, they’ll understand.

try to get an MOS that pays in civilian sector

Unless you're an O6+ you won't be competitive, and even then, they may not be making currency exceptions four years from now.

You can 100% return to your old airline (assuming it's not shutdown and you are not in a furlough status below the recall line). That's probably the path of least resistance, go back, get current, build the time you need and basically pick up where you left off in your career.

You lose four years in aviation but gain mil pay and bennies plus retirement points.

I don't think majors will hold the mil time against you under the circumstances (although an equal candidate who slugged it out in the aviation trenches through the hard times might get preference if it came down to the wire).

Just to be clear, are you talking about going from a current reserve or guard status to active duty, or are you talking about joining up for the first time?

Joe

Either way, he still gets his job back, with seniority intact, when he's done.

I’m currently a reservist with 15 years already going to do a 4 year AGR (active duty) tour.

Go do it. Who knows what state of affairs the airline industry will be in. Keep your line number if it survives, get 4 more years of points and stability, why not just do 5 if you can and secure a minimum of 20 years in any form or fashion and return at your convenience. Airlines will let you know when they want you back and probably won’t be as concerned this time as the country attempts it’s reboot.

Worry about your airline career when it's worried about you. 6 months ago the industry was worried about a pilot "shortage". Things are a bit different today. We probably won't this mindset reappear for at least another 2-3 years once retirements cancel out overages (unless the demand for air travel miraculously returns in the next year). Go do the AGR job. Keep your apps updated with an accurate availability date. Go back to your current airline when you are done to get recency and move on when you get the call.