I would say either you aren't really trying to see who you know or you need to think outside your box. I'm sure there are numerous 37/38 IPs you flew with who are now with the majors. Not to mention the Guard guys going through training around you for the last ten years. If you didn't irritate the FAIP MAFIA then you should have instant contact with the fellows. If you are really bailing out then you need to start smozing some Guard/Res units. Give this as much effort as you do getting on with the airlines. A reserve job is equally important, perhaps more so since that will always be your bottom line feed the family paycheck. You need to find one or two units that you really want to be a part of and start working the network. Find a reason to go there on a drill weekend and start putting out the feelers. Nail down their next exercise deployment see if you can go somehow as an exercise observer, so they can see you in action. Take a jet CC and get to know the MX guys there. You need some method of getting your foot in the door. Some reason to make them want you that has nothing to do with your flying skills. Just assume everyone is overly qual'd. Bring something new to their table. Be an Awards and Decs guy, or a LL expert, or IRC guru. They need some reason to hire you over everyone else. Lastly, remember NO doesn't mean no. It means "not now, so let's see if how bad you want it." We almost always tell people no the first time, just to see if they continue to put in the effort to get in the unit. Good luck.

Shackone, Maltese, and Coast,

Thanks for the words. I'll take them to heart.

Duke

One additional thing to factor in:

When I was deployed to bagram, afghanistan from Dec03 to Apr04 (my second time spending x-mas in afghanistan), I overheard a comment from an AF O-6 that I thought was interesting. He said that for 20 years he has been moving around to places where his job told him he was going to work from. He said that once he retired, he was going to figure out where he wanted to live.....then find a job; not the other way around.

I think I'm going to do the same thing....even if it means not flying. Family first, location second, job third.

Duke

"Duke...I would advise speaking softly about sitting in that lawndart...it's pretty much on the top of the heap when it comes to assignments...my guess is that some of the heavy guys here wonder what you are talking about." --Shackone

I love flying the viper....it's the other stuff, mainly the ops tempo, that I don't particularly care for. All the fighter and heavy guys in the biz since 911 know exactly what I'm talking about.

v/r
Duke

Duke,
I am going through the same decisions that you are now. The one thing that I am looking at is the possibility of a Full Time Guard spot. The only problem is that the full time jobs seem few and far between. I have heard some people talk about getting out of active duty, signing up with an airline, then going back full time with the Guard. Getting on the senority list seemed very importaint to a lot of folks, but this seems risky to me.
Getting a part time job doesn't seem like it would be that tough, and could supplement your income also.

Hornut Pilot,

What coast are you on? How long till you can punch out. May be able to give you advise on the reserve job. Current navy VR pilot.

quaileman,
I'm an East coast guy with about 3 years until I can get out. However, I need to make a decision about DH in the next year, and I am trying to get as educated as I can.
I’m getting ready to roll to shore duty, and next summer I need to put my name into the DH hat. If I do, I’m pretty much committing to a career, and retiring active duty, along with the 2-3 cruises/workups that go with it. If I don’t, I’m thinking about applying for FTS for the last 7 or so years until I retire.
I am leaning towards FTS, but I believe that there are a very few spots, and have never seen any kind of statistics on selection. I personally have never known anybody to do it, because all the Hornet guys I have known to get out have gotten out to work for SWA. FTS looks like a good deal…if you can get into it. You all seem to spend a good amount of time away from home, and the full time guys seem to work hard, but it ain’t like being on cruise. Any info would be much appreciated.

Beware trying to check in then bail...
 

Saw a post about mil guys trying to get off AD, getting hired by an airline, then going back on Guard or Reserve duty for a while - FedEx for one has wised up to guys trying to get hired and then scooting off for a better pay rate for the first several years leaving all the rest of the new hires to pay the dues. It was once a great deal, but they are hiring folks to move boxes, not to take a training slot and then leave for a couple of years. People doing that have kind of poisoned the water, so be aware - now days there are very few free rides.

Unfortuneately there's nothing the airlines can do about it except not hire ANY military, which they really can't do. USERRA is very clear that employers have to let Guard/Reservists go if they are on military orders, and, if you remember, the country is at war.

They have to actually be on orders though...(the system is kind of complicated and not just any Guard or Reserve job qualifies).

I know guys who have abused the system (mostly at SWA) and it does leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth. But the last time I was at Balad in full kevlar hiding under a desk while the intercom blared "incoming...incoming", I really didn't feel like the airline guys who were with me were gaming the system.

Yep - I've been under there myself (sts), and you're right - generally those aren't the guys that are gaming the system - that's hard to say when the ones they see scoot between their home reserve base and Tampa CENTCOM. Keep giving them hell out there!