Separation Timing
 

I'm looking for input on separation timing. My UPT ADSC expires in 7 Sep 08. My four year controlled tour ends in Nov. I will get orders this Summer. I have applied to various airlines, fractionals and corporate flight departments with an availability of July based on two months of terminal leave prior to Sep 08. However, to provide the six-month notice I would need to put in separation paperwork now (actually earlier this month). I have not interviewed or even been called by anyone yet and have not updated my availability.

Should I update my availabilty every month? Will I get called with enough time in advance to give six months notice? I'm considering asking to be moved to the next assignment cycle to see if I would be eligible for VSP 09.

Any input is appreciated.

AggiePilot

Any chance you might consider sticking around for the full 20? It's rough out here.
If you won't do that, how about the Guard/Reserve. Sometimes that can make all the difference in a reasonably smooth mil-civ transition.

I had my papers in with no job in sight and pulled them about a month prior to my DOS. Lined up a Guard job, re-submitted papers and left 6 months later, started w/ the Guard 1 day later. No airline job for another 6 months, so the Guard was a good call.

From what I remember, you can pull your papers and re-enter the assignment process as if you changed your mind. Usually the assignments don't start dropping immediately after you pull your papers, so you'll have some time. Nothing to stop you from changing your mind again if the planets re-align and you line up something that looks good. You just will have to wait another 6 months before you can get out. If they come up with an assignment before you can line up a job, there's always the 7 day option - but then you're committed.

Good Luck

Read some rumors of stopping the numbers reduction, but then again the elections and a few years down the road are still uncertain to me....

I would not bank on VSP.

I believe the post 9/11 axiom is to have a Guard or Reserve slot/job on the side as a cushion if you are furloughed or worse... At least for about 5 years, minimum.

If both the Reserves/Guard and airlines or outside employment are hiring and you don't want to stay to 20, it's time to go- the only constant is change!

Things are looking tough all over again! That USAF BS might not be as bad as it seems- find some bros on the other side for a greenery fence check....

Guard/Reserve
 

Adlerdriver,

I would love to stay in for twenty in a flying without deploying capacity. But, that is not an available option in this expeditionary air force for me. I'm a C-130 guy originally and they want me back. It's nice to be wanted and all, but I know what they want... a guy in the Persian Gulf four months at a time and then home for four months. But when you are home you are rarely home.

I am in the process of applying for a Reserve AETC flying job. I'm definitely in agreement with you that having that backup is important.

As far as the separation paperwork goes, you think that I would be able to withdraw my paperwork and then stay on another six months? Since I'm on a controlled tour min/max four years, I think they would have me in requal at the Rock before too long.

Thanks for your input,

AggiePilot

Most airlines will not call you until you are about 1-2 months out.

I have had many friends that have been called earlier than 1-2 months. Most seem to be called around 4-6 months out. The key is getting a buddy that you know walk your resume into a chief pilot or HR.
I just talked to CAL at a job fair ( I am 8 months out). The hr lady said they may try to call me in May (6 months out) for an interview. Not holding my breath but there is still plenty of time.

Aggie,
If you can hold out for another year, Southwest will probably be interviewing again. They are not conducting interviews now, but when they do, they will look at you a year out from your availability. I interviewed with them 9 months prior to the original start date of my terminal leave.

Bernie

Aggie,
I can't claim to be an expert on the separation papers, etc. All I can do is relate my experience and apply my limited knowledge of how things go in the USAF. This is probably unit dependant as well as ops tempo dependant.

I was an FTU IP approaching the end of my ADSC. I put my papers in to leave 6 months later, which went past my ADSC by about a month (December sep date, I think). Cinc household got knocked up and with no job on the horizon, I pulled the papers in early Dec. She pickled in Feb and I was just starting to hear from the assignment folks. Meanwhile, I'm still flying/teaching Eagles and since I've shown my hand, I'm not bothered with one of the high vis, fast burner jobs.

I line up the Guard job in March and get hired with a show date 1 Oct that year (so I can give the USAF 6 months notice). Resubmit the separation papers and enjoy the spring/summer flying Eagles and make the Guard transition with no break in service. By pulling the papers, 1 potato, 2 potato, and putting them back in, I bought myself another 9 months of AD while staying at my same base, flying. What were they going to do with me? They couldn't re-assign me and they need experienced IPs.

Now, I don't know the ins/outs of a controlled assignment so that may be a new wrinkle. However, until you are either re-assigned and PCS or separate, they've got to pay you, etc. and you're still assigned to your current base. If you've got a separation date established, they can't PCS you elsewhere. If you pull your papers, that goes away and they've got to re-assign you. Unless they react fast and slam you with an immediate assignment, you've probably bought some time. Put your papers back if you still want to bail and when you've got something lined up on the outside (and you think an assignment is looming) and you're gone in 6 months. Keep in mind, the 6 months is a minimum. I don't think there's anything stopping you from asking for a separation date a few months longer than that, if that works out better (all they can do is say no). If you do end up actually receiving an assignment that you have to 7 day opt out of, what have you lost? If you stick with you're current separation date, you'll be out sooner than if you pull the papers, get an assignment and 7 day opt. 1-2 more months of AD while that happens is better than nothing if you go as scheduled in September.

I hope that's good advice (get more, for sure) and Good Luck.

AirTran will hire you into their pool ... you can stay in the pool for up to six months. Once in the pool, you simply call and notify then when you are ready for a class date.

Aggie pilot were you out of Dyess?