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Any Retired AD Non-Flyers Out There

Old 02-09-2022, 10:08 PM
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Default Any Retired AD Non-Flyers Out There

Just wondering if there’s any retired AD pilots who decided to not fly post AD retirement…

What are you doing instead of flying? Do you like it? Any regrets?
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Old 02-10-2022, 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted by 135tankerdriver View Post
Just wondering if there’s any retired AD pilots who decided to not fly post AD retirement…

What are you doing instead of flying? Do you like it? Any regrets?
A couple of my buds chose not to fly. Some sim instruct, some do the defense contractor thing. Some are happy with their choice, some less so. Some were too beat up after active duty to continue flying.
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Old 02-10-2022, 06:22 AM
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Sure, knew many folks who got out just in time for 9/11 and then got furloughed. Also many who got out before 2012 or so when things started to pick up. Many of those are now doing airlines including some who didn't fly for ten years.

But right now with so much free seniority available, most white collar jobs will pale in comparison. I'd only do that if you're too injured or worn out, or just really want to be home every night.

That's for regular jobs... if you have the passion to do a startup or the credentials to get an executive job and really like the idea of shaping an organization and/or business model that's another story entirely Airlines require some patience, and if you can't sit still it may not be for you.
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Old 02-10-2022, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by 135tankerdriver View Post
Just wondering if there’s any retired AD pilots who decided to not fly post AD retirement…

What are you doing instead of flying? Do you like it? Any regrets?
I am a reservist but prior AD and I've known AD retirees go to a variety of flying and non-flying jobs after retirement. I'd say the majority I know who go to non-flying jobs have ended up either as DOD/government civilian GS employees or as contractors, especially in aviation/engineering desk jobs. WIth veterans preference and the amount of DOD experience you retire with, it's a pretty easy gig to get from what I hear. For flying jobs, I know a few who went to CBP as civilian FW pilots; one who flies king airs out of North Island so he doesn't see a huge difference between that lifestyle and his old navy job. A few went to contractors like L3H and one is now a federal LEO (1811). Fed LE jobs usually have a cutoff of late 30's but they'll give you credit for your military service that raises the max age you can join and go through FLETC I guess, so if you retire from the mil by your early-mid 40's you can probably still do that too with an age waiver.
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Old 02-10-2022, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by 135tankerdriver View Post
Just wondering if there’s any retired AD pilots who decided to not fly post AD retirement…

What are you doing instead of flying? Do you like it? Any regrets?

21 years AD, one of the few lucky ones that flew up until the end and never really had a desk job. Got out couple years ago just in time before it went full woke. Now fully retired, happily married living in commiefornia. Lived like an O-1 the entire time I was in and continue to do so. House, car, toys all paid off (no my wife is not my sugar momma). Can't even spend half my retirement every month so why bother adding to the pile? Time is more valuable than money at this point in life. Phone never rings, alarms never goes off, not even considering a 6 figure job. Serious first world problems I have. Thought airlines would be cool but realized I hate airports and bag dragging more than I like flying. The vax pretty much put the nail in the coffin for me anyways. Aint gonna get it.



PS: I just lurk here from time to time for the comedic value.
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Old 02-10-2022, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Chillpill View Post
21 years AD, one of the few lucky ones that flew up until the end and never really had a desk job. Got out couple years ago just in time before it went full woke. Now fully retired, happily married living in commiefornia. Lived like an O-1 the entire time I was in and continue to do so. House, car, toys all paid off (no my wife is not my sugar momma). Can't even spend half my retirement every month so why bother adding to the pile? Time is more valuable than money at this point in life. Phone never rings, alarms never goes off, not even considering a 6 figure job. Serious first world problems I have. Thought airlines would be cool but realized I hate airports and bag dragging more than I like flying. The vax pretty much put the nail in the coffin for me anyways. Aint gonna get it.



PS: I just lurk here from time to time for the comedic value.
I’m in a similar situation as you; where I think I’ll be able to live off my retirement especially with VA disability. I don’t think a lot of people realize 70% VA disability with an O4 retirement is $75K a year and if you get 100% your making over 90K just to breathe. I live in Cali as well. My wife will be working. If cash is tight in Cali my plan is to sell my house and move to somewhere with a lower cost of living. I’m trying to figure out what I want to do in my free time… I know I’m being picky, but if I work I envision teleworking 3 to 4 days a week max and if that’s not an option maybe I’ll start a business and only work 3 days a week. If anyone has any suggestions I’m all ears.
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Old 02-10-2022, 07:56 PM
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The people I know have generally gone the sim route if they wanted to remain local to their last duty station. Others have gone the GS fed agencies route, both flying and non-flying. The rest went non-flying contractor, again mostly associated with the mil industrial complex.

One of the things I lust after wrt AD retirement is that ability to throttle back the monthly employment footprint. The american calvinist tradition/"ethic" has always been foreign to me. I do have a private acft ownership hobby I'd like to continue to feed. I also want that extra time off to really take advantage of the airplane traveling on my own terms (last year I flew my little lawnmower across the ocean back home to the Caribbean. Epic trip.)

As I spend more and more time around airline pilots (16 years and counting), it's become clear my work-footprint and future retirement domicile goals are not all that compatible with junior life at the airlines. The time for me to jump on that bandwagon was 2014, that ship has sailed. As such, I need to start educating myself on true part-time options in the 91/135 side of things. Single pilot would be even better. 10-12 days a month work schedule, and the rest of the month I can fly upside down in the RV and travel with the frau child-free.

No right or wrong answer. Cheers!
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Old 02-11-2022, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Chillpill View Post
21 years AD, one of the few lucky ones that flew up until the end and never really had a desk job. Got out couple years ago just in time before it went full woke. Now fully retired, happily married living in commiefornia. Lived like an O-1 the entire time I was in and continue to do so. House, car, toys all paid off (no my wife is not my sugar momma). Can't even spend half my retirement every month so why bother adding to the pile? Time is more valuable than money at this point in life. Phone never rings, alarms never goes off, not even considering a 6 figure job. Serious first world problems I have. Thought airlines would be cool but realized I hate airports and bag dragging more than I like flying. The vax pretty much put the nail in the coffin for me anyways. Aint gonna get it.
PS: I just lurk here from time to time for the comedic value.
I say this sincerely and respectfully, I am happy that you're happy. However, a couple of things.

I work less than half of each month. With good use of the contract and vacation rules, I can go almost two months without working -- and I could not imagine being off work any more, nor would I ever want to! Waking up every morning without a purpose is not fun nor good for your health. I agree that time with family and friends is priceless.

I enjoy aviation because there's always something new to learn and the eye-hand-feet coordination and scanning skills keep my brain sharp.I also enjoy teaching or passing on my knowledge to the newer generation of pilots. Of course working yourself to death is muy no bueno. Being 40-ish and doing nothing for the rest of your life would be dreadful.

A military retirement in Commiefornia, even with everything paid for, isn't going to go very far in the future. CA is a sinkhole state and taxes will only go up. Our country is headed for a fiscal disaster. The last thing I would be counting on is a government check.

I don't live in CA. I live in an income tax free state and the cost of ownership/operation/taxes (everything's paid for) of the house and toys far exceed "half of a military retirement" pay.

Yes, money isn't everything. But not leaving your children's children a legacy is not good, especially when you have the skills to do so.

Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children."
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Old 02-11-2022, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by PurpleToolBox View Post
I say this sincerely and respectfully, I am happy that you're happy. However, a couple of things.

I work less than half of each month. With good use of the contract and vacation rules, I can go almost two months without working -- and I could not imagine being off work any more, nor would I ever want to! Waking up every morning without a purpose is not fun nor good for your health. I agree that time with family and friends is priceless.

I enjoy aviation because there's always something new to learn and the eye-hand-feet coordination and scanning skills keep my brain sharp.I also enjoy teaching or passing on my knowledge to the newer generation of pilots. Of course working yourself to death is muy no bueno. Being 40-ish and doing nothing for the rest of your life would be dreadful.

A military retirement in Commiefornia, even with everything paid for, isn't going to go very far in the future. CA is a sinkhole state and taxes will only go up. Our country is headed for a fiscal disaster. The last thing I would be counting on is a government check.

I don't live in CA. I live in an income tax free state and the cost of ownership/operation/taxes (everything's paid for) of the house and toys far exceed "half of a military retirement" pay.

Yes, money isn't everything. But not leaving your children's children a legacy is not good, especially when you have the skills to do so.

Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children."
Just have a few serious questions for you…

How has your the flying schedule affected your body/mind?

What are you gonna do when you’re 66?

Have you asked your family how they feel about you being gone and if so what did they say?

You mentioned... “the cost of ownership/operation/taxes (everything's paid for) of the house and toys far exceed "half of a military retirement" pay.” Just curious what numbers you’re using for mil retirement pay? And are we talking McMansion and Corvette, Boats, etc. or are you talking 2500 sq/ft house with a Miata?

“A good man spends quality time with his family while he’s alive” - random secular humanist
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Old 02-12-2022, 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 135tankerdriver View Post

“A good man spends quality time with his family while he’s alive” - random secular humanist
True Dat.

Being a lifestyle kind of guy (before it was really hip) I struggled with the "money can't buy happiness" proverb for a long time.

Ultimately I concluded that's it true and correct but with a caveat: Lack of money can seriously interfere with happiness.

O4 retirement in CA seems pretty austere, unless maybe you go full Grizzly Adams. As others mentioned I considered my kid's legacies... not so much inheritance but college and what if God forbid one of them ends up needing expensive medical care for whatever reason?

Also (I speak from experience), while full-time retirement after the mil might seem like a big relief at first, most of us (who are not yet geriatric) will need more fulfillment than just hanging around the house. Some hobbies are expensive.
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