Are reserves and regionals compatible?
07-19-2009, 03:55 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2009
Posts: 6
Are reserves and regionals compatible?
I'm graduating in year from a non-military academy (regretablly didn't have the option for ROTC either, as I'm at university abroad), and will be trying to get my flight slot package in with any branch that will take me. BUT, even if I don't get in first round, I'm planning on OCS or enlisting in the reserves; this is something I really want to do and as a strong plus, the reserves will allow me to avoid flight school debt.
Now, I know working as a CFI is pretty flexible and I could most likely instruct nearby to whichever reserve base I'm operating out of. But my real question is how limiting (if at all) is a guard/reserve obligation in terms of the job search for post-CFI work? Am I shooting myself in the foot as far as regionals go?
To clarify, I'm not asking if I could hold a regional job while in the reserves. What I'm concerned about is when I begin searching for regional jobs (or their equivilent) how much play am I going to have in the job search, as from what I understand most successful civilian pilots move to the jobs and don't wait for local opportunities.
Once again this is just preliminary, I've got a year of university and instrument to CFI ahead of me and I know things do change. Would a good option be to move to an aviation hotspot after graduation or are these goals incompatible?
Now, I know working as a CFI is pretty flexible and I could most likely instruct nearby to whichever reserve base I'm operating out of. But my real question is how limiting (if at all) is a guard/reserve obligation in terms of the job search for post-CFI work? Am I shooting myself in the foot as far as regionals go?
To clarify, I'm not asking if I could hold a regional job while in the reserves. What I'm concerned about is when I begin searching for regional jobs (or their equivilent) how much play am I going to have in the job search, as from what I understand most successful civilian pilots move to the jobs and don't wait for local opportunities.
Once again this is just preliminary, I've got a year of university and instrument to CFI ahead of me and I know things do change. Would a good option be to move to an aviation hotspot after graduation or are these goals incompatible?
07-20-2009, 07:07 AM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,269
All airlines are compatible with military reserves, with the possible exception of a few bottom feeders who will try to violate federal law if they can get away with it. But the government is actually getting more hard-assed about that kind of thing, so I doubt you would have a problem in the future,
The golden rule is to avoid a double commute...ie you want to live in either your airline domicile or your military duty station.
Also it is not very hard to switch reserve/guard units if you are a non-pilot. Pilots can switch too but they need to find:
1) An opening
2) In a unit located where you want to be
3) That flies your airplane (or you have to get retrained on a new airplane).
Research regional domiciles and try to get into a unit in a part of the country which is close to possible regional jobs. There is more regional activity in the eastern US due to higher population density.
The golden rule is to avoid a double commute...ie you want to live in either your airline domicile or your military duty station.
Also it is not very hard to switch reserve/guard units if you are a non-pilot. Pilots can switch too but they need to find:
1) An opening
2) In a unit located where you want to be
3) That flies your airplane (or you have to get retrained on a new airplane).
Research regional domiciles and try to get into a unit in a part of the country which is close to possible regional jobs. There is more regional activity in the eastern US due to higher population density.
