2007 Pilot Retention Rates
#61
China Visa Applicant
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Midfield downwind
Posts: 1,919
My finance issue got a lot better today! The VSP check just arrived and I can't seem to get this grin off my face. I left active duty in Sep, took orders with the AF reserve in Oct and will hopefully get a class date at SWA late spring. I got out 18 months early so I'm sure that I'm left out of the retention numbers.
Hasta la vista, active duty. Good luck to everyone left as you continue to do more with less.
Hasta la vista, active duty. Good luck to everyone left as you continue to do more with less.
#62
Spoken like a true KoolAid drinker. All kidding aside, all the numbers manipulation the AF and Navy can do to make us think manpower is at the correct end strength will come to light here in the next couple years if not already. There are some extremely high vis issues going on in the Navy right now and I don't imagine the AF is any different.
#63
Yes and no; there are a couple of threads full of all the details. As long as I don't retire from the reserves or voluntarily accept orders longer than 180 consecutive days, I shouldn’t have to repay a dime.
#64
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: HMMWV in Iraq
Posts: 328
Marine Corps doesn't really care if I dropped my letter. This is now the 3rd year in a row the retention bonus for Hornet pilots dropped. (25 to 18 and now 15) They just shut down an active Hornet squadron and 3 reserve Hornet squadrons. Supposedly we are the "healthiest" group among Marine aviators. That sounds great on paper, until you look at a ready room with half the seats empty because all the O-3's and O-4's are overseas on IA's.
I'm not sure what exactly goes on up at headquarters, but the word denial seems to come to mind quite a bit lately.
I'm not sure what exactly goes on up at headquarters, but the word denial seems to come to mind quite a bit lately.
#65
Marine Corps doesn't really care if I dropped my letter. This is now the 3rd year in a row the retention bonus for Hornet pilots dropped. (25 to 18 and now 15) They just shut down an active Hornet squadron and 3 reserve Hornet squadrons. Supposedly we are the "healthiest" group among Marine aviators. That sounds great on paper, until you look at a ready room with half the seats empty because all the O-3's and O-4's are overseas on IA's.
I'm not sure what exactly goes on up at headquarters, but the word denial seems to come to mind quite a bit lately.
I'm not sure what exactly goes on up at headquarters, but the word denial seems to come to mind quite a bit lately.
#66
Nevermind if you just invested the TSP now and drew on it at retirement.
#67
BDGERJMN
Interesting stats! Haven't heard those numbers yet. I joined with similar intentions as well but now find myself siting on the fence with the clock ticking and wondering which way to go. The money is still way to short for me to do that much time away from home again. Plus I don't know if I could ever call my self a Hornet Guy
Interesting stats! Haven't heard those numbers yet. I joined with similar intentions as well but now find myself siting on the fence with the clock ticking and wondering which way to go. The money is still way to short for me to do that much time away from home again. Plus I don't know if I could ever call my self a Hornet Guy
Got out of AD back in '86 and went reserves till '95. Never looked back. Oh I've had my rough spots with Eastern Air Lines, but life on the civilian cargo side has been A-OK. Its natural to fear getting out. Its the fear of the unknown. But hey it wasn't the fear of getting shot at that drove me out but rather the fear of constant B.S. paperwork.
Good Luck to all of you in whatever path you choose.
Turkeys and Skyhawks forever.....................
#68
Same stuff I went through 20 years ago. Man I would love to bag some traps on the old Kitty Hawk. Alas that's gone,,, or roar into the break at Miramar at just under mach. Oh that's been passed over to the marines. Well maybe one last trip in the old Tomcat. OOOPPPPSSS Nevermind.
Got out of AD back in '86 and went reserves till '95. Never looked back. Oh I've had my rough spots with Eastern Air Lines, but life on the civilian cargo side has been A-OK. Its natural to fear getting out. Its the fear of the unknown. But hey it wasn't the fear of getting shot at that drove me out but rather the fear of constant B.S. paperwork.
Good Luck to all of you in whatever path you choose.
Turkeys and Skyhawks forever.....................
Got out of AD back in '86 and went reserves till '95. Never looked back. Oh I've had my rough spots with Eastern Air Lines, but life on the civilian cargo side has been A-OK. Its natural to fear getting out. Its the fear of the unknown. But hey it wasn't the fear of getting shot at that drove me out but rather the fear of constant B.S. paperwork.
Good Luck to all of you in whatever path you choose.
Turkeys and Skyhawks forever.....................
BagEx? Never saw one in my entire JO tour. Sh*t Hot Break? We're limited to 350 in the break. My how times have changed.
#69
After running the numbers, and considering the active duty retirement (the biggie), tax benefits, health care, etc, I WAS making the equivilant of mid - high level captain pay while on active duty. And that's not considering the ACIP I passed up. Getting out turned out to be a pretty bad financial decision for me, at least so far. There's still hope for UPS/FDX though I suppose.....
My point? For every story like Lil J's, there's a counter story. Yes, active duty sucks, but I separated for improved quality of life and higher earning potential - I got neither.
#70
I separted for family concerns.
While I am not making the $ I am home 220+ days a year rather than gone 220, plus I pick up an extra 30+ days a year by picking trips that layover in my home town. My quality of life revolves around being home, not the lifestyle. My mom was an AA STEWARDESS for 41 years. I grew up in the company. I grew up dreaming of the glamor. The reality is it has long gone by.
Being a pilot used to be a respected profession like doctor, or lawyer. Sadly none of these professions get respect anymore.
While I am not making the $ I am home 220+ days a year rather than gone 220, plus I pick up an extra 30+ days a year by picking trips that layover in my home town. My quality of life revolves around being home, not the lifestyle. My mom was an AA STEWARDESS for 41 years. I grew up in the company. I grew up dreaming of the glamor. The reality is it has long gone by.
Being a pilot used to be a respected profession like doctor, or lawyer. Sadly none of these professions get respect anymore.
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