He's got me by about 290 spots! I remind, him, however that the gap will only decrease as we get older. By the time we're 60 it will only be about 8. Of course, that's 8 spots I'll never have. No matter how small the number gets, he'll always be senior. He always jokes he's going to move next door to me and bid all the good lines.

 

So do "heavy" C-130 pilots have a disadvantage compared to other heavy pilots? I'm not trying to start a flame war... I'm just curious. Most C-130 pilots haven't operated a glass cockpit. I'm just wondering if airlines frown on that.

 

In my very brief experience with the airlines, I'd say no. To caveat, I've only flown 60's model hercs. In my situation, FDX has Airbuses, Boeings, and the MD/DC-10/11s. We've got pilots from every conceivable background flying for the company and they all do fine. The only time it may hurt you or help you is in training. Some guys have to work a little harder to catch up, some don't, depending on what you flew before you got to the company. A guy who flew KC-135s (B-707s) may have an easier time flying the Boeings than a fighter guy. A guy who flew C-5's might think the MD-11 is a cute little jet, while a herk guy might find it a behemoth. But, in the end, they all figure it out just fine.

 

There I was in my T-38, pulling up for a start of a loop. G suit filling up, sun glinting off my visor, thinking......man this svcks! Right then I decided I wanted a C-141 to travel and see the world. Ended up in Buffs, based in my home town, in an apartment 1 1/2 mile south of mom and dad! Oh well....1st Lt upgrade to AC, ended up with 2800 hrs in the 52. No complaints. Did alot of interesting stuff.

The point is....you may decide that fighters are'nt for you. Don't look down on those that flew/fly the heavies. How do you think you got to your combat base? Bet you a tanker brought you across the pond, a cargo guy brought the spare parts and weapons, etc.

Don't worry what you think the airlines will want. Do what you want to do. Remember, fighters....all PIC. Bombers....lots of flying, working with another pilot, and the ability to carry tons and tons of "fun toys"!

Good Luck!

 

I have no experience about what the airlines prefer / don't prefer, but the bottom line is there are plenty of guys from both backgrounds in the airlines. More importantly, you have a heck of a long time before that is even a consideration.

In my experience, the guys that show up to flight school with the attitude that they are one day going to be flying with SWA and the military is just a way to get there, usually make complete a$$es out of themselves with the IPs and don't do very well. In the Navy, a lot of 'those guys' are now flying helos (not that there's anything wrong with that) or washed out.

Focus on flight school, do your best, and when the time comes, do what you think will make you happy for the next 8 years of your life. Then you can start to think about the airlines.

 

The general theme of advice seems to be "Choose what you want to do, the airline time will take care of itself". I believe that to be true. Whatever choice you make, please don't become preoccupied with a "possible" airline job 12 years in your future!
There is one consideration I have not seen mentioned yet. I personally believe that the F-22/JSF is the last generation of manned fighters. The opportunities to fly fighters is dwindling. Even though you are young at the beginning of your career, you only have one chance to make this decision. You can go from fighters to heavies later, going from heavies to fighters is nearly impossible. Just my 2 cents, from a heavy guy who didn't get the chance due to the drawdown after Gulf War I.

 

Baghdaddy,
You wouldn't happen to be on an IA right now? If so, what do they have you doing? I may be joining you sooner than later Be safe!

 

I'd say take the ENJJPT slot, do the best you can at Sheppard and with your follow on aircraft, and the rest will sort its self out over time. With the commitment you'll have after UPT it doesn't matter what you fly, you'll have the hours for the airlines.

 

As others have mentioned, it is a big mistake to go into a USAF flying career with your primary decisionmaking item being your desire to fly for an airline when you get out. That is NOT the correct mentality. Flying for the military is a calling...God only knows there is enough crap to deal with these days in this profession that it is certainly not the "easy way" to get yourself to an airline job 10 years from now.

If you mention that at UPT, you will absolutely get killed by your IPs. In your operational squadron, mentioning the "A-word" can get you on the slow-train to upgrades and good deal TDYs. Guys who aren't interested in an airline career, but who ARE interested in flying and fighting for their country, may not be impressed with your act.

No matter what you end up flying -- fighter, bomber, tanker, transport -- it will be a challenging and rewarding job in and of itself. Also regardless of which airframe you end up in (outside of helos), you will probably finish your ADSC with enough time to apply at any of the Majors.

 

While I agree that military flying is not opnly demanding it, is a calling. Lets not sit here and say that most of us are have not thought about flying in the airlines someday after the Air Force flying is over with. I think that part of the problems that we pilots face is not thinking down the road in future and planning our lives out alittle better. With that said I would go around telling people that the only reason you joined the military was to get to airlines. But make wise choices about your career if thats what you want to do. ie. dont suck in training.
You may want to look at life styles of each a/c that you decide to. Each a/c has unique lifestyles with unique people. Pick the ones you get along with the most. Sometimes personalities dont mesh.