Ex-Airforce Pilot
06-21-2006, 09:12 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ex-Airforce Pilot
Hi everyone, I am not a pilot but my husband is. I am seeking your views at the market out there for pilots in the commercial airline. My husband is trained in flying fighter jets and has an option to either renew or leave by May next year as his contract will expire.
What are the prospects for fighter pilots in the commercial world? He is contemplating on leaving but we are wandering if it is easy getting into the market when he leaves.
What are the prospects for fighter pilots in the commercial world? He is contemplating on leaving but we are wandering if it is easy getting into the market when he leaves.
06-22-2006, 03:38 AM
#2
Just Plane Stupid
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Captain
Posts: 458
The market is very competitive...I'm sure your husband knows this from the talk within his squadron...He will be competing with pilots from the Regional Airlines with over 10,000 hours of jet time flying in the airline system and his fellow Military pilots leaving the armed forces...If I was him I would start to focus on Fed Ex or UPS for a flying gig...Good Luck
06-22-2006, 05:10 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Posts: 257
Tell hubby he needs two things...contacts and qualifications. Most airlines are unofficially requiring internal recommendations to get an interview. Of course he needs to meet their minimums. Unfortunately most fighter pilots I know have significantly less time than their heavy counterparts. If he's been in a while he may have enough. The good thing is that all of his time is probably PIC. For the major airlines 1000-1500 PIC seems to be about the magic minimum. If you havent seen it this website actually list all the qualifications for most airlines...hope this helps
06-25-2006, 06:56 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Guys, Thanks a million for your views and advises. My hubby is quiet confident gettting into the commercial airline, its just me (I'm feeling the insecurity) those "what ifs" if you know what I mean.
So the competition is really high out there. Do all airlines require a Bachelors degree or a Masters? I guess in terms of flying hours he has met the minimum requirement. He is currently sitting for his CPL and ATPL. Am not sure if he can do a Masters by May next year. I think its impossible.
What is the salary like for Fed Ex and most cargo planes? Any idea where are the hubs? All views welcome.
Cheers guys.
p/s - Do your wives complaint your not being around the house most of the time. How frequent do you pilots come home to be with your family?
So the competition is really high out there. Do all airlines require a Bachelors degree or a Masters? I guess in terms of flying hours he has met the minimum requirement. He is currently sitting for his CPL and ATPL. Am not sure if he can do a Masters by May next year. I think its impossible.
What is the salary like for Fed Ex and most cargo planes? Any idea where are the hubs? All views welcome.
Cheers guys.
p/s - Do your wives complaint your not being around the house most of the time. How frequent do you pilots come home to be with your family?
06-25-2006, 09:01 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 2,575
Originally Posted by Mcbeal
p/s - Do your wives complaint your not being around the house most of the time. How frequent do you pilots come home to be with your family?
06-26-2006, 02:39 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,409
Originally Posted by Ottopilot
My wife asks me when I'm leaving again. Just sleeping at home is not as good as being at home 4 days straight, day and night. I'm home more than some guys working late everyday and commuting a couple hours. I have 16 days off next month. This month I had vacation, so I was home even more.
06-28-2006, 01:26 PM
#7
On Reserve
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Viper Driver
Posts: 12
Hi all. I can't help but piggyback on Ms. McBeal's comment and search for advice. It's late at night and I just finished another 14-hour day. I am also a current active duty fighter pilot with 10 YAS contemplating separating from the military. Honey, is that you???
Anyway, I also have concerns about the timing. It appears the airlines are starting to hire again. However, I have seen posts in the "major" section of this website that sound discouraging and maybe the grass is always greener.
Like TipTip points out you have to have the "contacts and qualifications." I think that I have a fairly competitive resume for the latter (IP, combat experience, CFII, ATP, 1500+ hrs PIC, Master's from ERAU, working on ACSC) but I don't think I have the contacts.
I'm at a point in my career where it's time to make a decision. At the risk of sounding like I'm whining, I've been deployed 4 times since 2001 and heading off for the 5th real soon. However, the home station Ops Tempo is so busy that I actually look forward to deploying so I can relax a little.
Obviously this website is a start as far as networking is concerned, but does anybody else have words of advice on making contacts so I can start to get my foot in the door?? I've got about 1.5 years left. I appreciate any words you can provide. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Duke
Anyway, I also have concerns about the timing. It appears the airlines are starting to hire again. However, I have seen posts in the "major" section of this website that sound discouraging and maybe the grass is always greener.
Like TipTip points out you have to have the "contacts and qualifications." I think that I have a fairly competitive resume for the latter (IP, combat experience, CFII, ATP, 1500+ hrs PIC, Master's from ERAU, working on ACSC) but I don't think I have the contacts.
I'm at a point in my career where it's time to make a decision. At the risk of sounding like I'm whining, I've been deployed 4 times since 2001 and heading off for the 5th real soon. However, the home station Ops Tempo is so busy that I actually look forward to deploying so I can relax a little.
Obviously this website is a start as far as networking is concerned, but does anybody else have words of advice on making contacts so I can start to get my foot in the door?? I've got about 1.5 years left. I appreciate any words you can provide. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Duke
06-28-2006, 01:44 PM
#8
APC co-founder
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
Originally Posted by Mcbeal
What is the salary like for Fed Ex and most cargo planes? Any idea where are the hubs? All views welcome.
http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/a...rgo/fedex.html
http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/cargo.html
(This forum is an extension of our free data services).
06-29-2006, 03:12 AM
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: MD-11 Cap.
Posts: 72
Duke
As a former Air Force type myself I empathize with you. There are jobs out there of course but the competition is fierce. Some airlines prefer non military types and others prefer the military background but most hire a mix. All your qualifications are fine but the airlines will focus on your flight related skills. A Masters degree and ACSC don't mean much unless you have skills from your continuing education related directly to flying.
As you said, and I concur, the most important thing in getting an interview is an internal recommendation. You don't have anyone you know from your Air Force flying that is currently employed by the airlines? No former instructors, squadron mates, fellow students etc.? I got my current job without a recommendation but a fellow Air Force pilot who got out at the same time got a job with UPS because he got a LOR. It's not just about getting a job, it's about getting a quality job.
Good luck and hope you score a good gig.
As a former Air Force type myself I empathize with you. There are jobs out there of course but the competition is fierce. Some airlines prefer non military types and others prefer the military background but most hire a mix. All your qualifications are fine but the airlines will focus on your flight related skills. A Masters degree and ACSC don't mean much unless you have skills from your continuing education related directly to flying.
As you said, and I concur, the most important thing in getting an interview is an internal recommendation. You don't have anyone you know from your Air Force flying that is currently employed by the airlines? No former instructors, squadron mates, fellow students etc.? I got my current job without a recommendation but a fellow Air Force pilot who got out at the same time got a job with UPS because he got a LOR. It's not just about getting a job, it's about getting a quality job.
Good luck and hope you score a good gig.
06-29-2006, 11:00 AM
#10
On Reserve
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Viper Driver
Posts: 12
Military to Civilian?
WLDPLT,
Thanks for the words. I've got my undergrad in Aviation from EKU and my MAS from ERAU in Aeronautics and Avn/Aerospace Mgmt. I've also been to the AF advanced instrument school, which I think would look good on a resume as well.
No, not really. I really don't have any of my peers that have separated and gone to the airlines. I don't know why....maybe that's because the bonus was still around and there were a lot of takers for the guys that are a couple years my senior. I do have some buds that are in the guard though and I have thought about that option to help me make the civilian transition and give me more time to start networking with guys in the majors. I'm sure the guard is loaded with guys that also fly with the airlines. I am starting to see more of my peers separating (since the bonus is now only 5 yrs and will likely be gone next year) so I think as the years pass I will know more guys flying for the airlines.
Or maybe I should just try to suck it up for 10 more years? It seems like everything that I'm reading indicates the salaries keep going lower. Looking at the SWA pay charts, it looks like it would be about a 75K a year pay cut for the first few years.....but in the long run, after about 4-5 years, I would be back where I'm at now and start making more around the 6 year point.
Decisions, Decisions. If anyone else has been in the same situation and has any lessons learned to pass along, I'm all ears. Cheers!
Duke
Thanks for the words. I've got my undergrad in Aviation from EKU and my MAS from ERAU in Aeronautics and Avn/Aerospace Mgmt. I've also been to the AF advanced instrument school, which I think would look good on a resume as well.
No, not really. I really don't have any of my peers that have separated and gone to the airlines. I don't know why....maybe that's because the bonus was still around and there were a lot of takers for the guys that are a couple years my senior. I do have some buds that are in the guard though and I have thought about that option to help me make the civilian transition and give me more time to start networking with guys in the majors. I'm sure the guard is loaded with guys that also fly with the airlines. I am starting to see more of my peers separating (since the bonus is now only 5 yrs and will likely be gone next year) so I think as the years pass I will know more guys flying for the airlines.
Or maybe I should just try to suck it up for 10 more years? It seems like everything that I'm reading indicates the salaries keep going lower. Looking at the SWA pay charts, it looks like it would be about a 75K a year pay cut for the first few years.....but in the long run, after about 4-5 years, I would be back where I'm at now and start making more around the 6 year point.
Decisions, Decisions. If anyone else has been in the same situation and has any lessons learned to pass along, I'm all ears. Cheers!
Duke
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