sandrich

I'm sure this may have been asked here previously, so I apologize for that as the search function didn't seem to answer my question. I am currently a low-time CFI, and just curious what path to take. I've heard good things about the National Guard, and not so good things about the airlines. I always wanted to go to the airlines, but the more threads I read on this forum, the less I want to pursue since 80% of all post are about someone complaining about something...I'm just looking for some advice, pros/cons of one over the other, or any advice you may have to offer. I might also mention that my vision is not good, 20/100 I believe in each eye. I'm sure that changes a lot of things. If I were to go to the guard, I would ideally like some heavy metal stuff (C-130, C-17, C-5, etc). Thanks for any information and guidance you may have to offer.

RogAir

Path to what?

I'm confused; you don't want to be an airline pilot (probably a wise decision) so what do you want to do with your life?

The Guard/Reserve is a part-time job (won't pay your bills for 20+ years)

Answer that, and then you might get some useful advise...

sandrich

Sorry I didnt clarify. Right now it looks like I'm going to instruct, build hours, and maybe head to the airlines. Just wondering if the Guard is a good experience, or if it would be a waste of time at this stage and i'd "fall behind"

rickair7777

You can do both. If you are qualified, and do not have any deviant mental attitudes which would preclude serving your country, you should probably try to do both.

The Guard (like any military aviation experience) will generally get you head-of-the-line privileges when apply to major airlines. They prefer military trained aviators.

Applying to the guard can take 2 or even three years, so stick with the civilian track until you actually report for military training. If you manage to get hired by a regional before you start the military, that's a bonus because your job is protected while you are away on any kind of military leave and you also accrue airline seniority while you are gone. You could leave as a junior FO and come back and immediately start aptain training.

Planespotta

We are almost in the same position. From what I hear, Guard is great (obviously, you're flying the flag) but the training takes years and you can fall behind people who are building seniority numbers at the 121 carriers. So get a flying job first and THEN go guard. I'm not sure about the vision requirements, I think you can get PRK or whatever, I know my friend who flies F-18s had to get that done. But hey do what you will get the most happiness from. I think a lot of people buy into the conventional view that a successful aviation career is ending up in the left seat of an airliners or corporate jet. In the race to get there, they forget that they can have fun in this industry, too.

crewdawg

Your vision is waiverable. Military flying is a GREAT experience, imho. It is not a waste of time....you're wasting time right now by not applying! Go guard, you will not regret it.

rickair7777

If you are employed at a regional, you will not "fall behind" on seniority because your seniority will accrue while you are gone.

If you are not employed by a regional I would still do the guard because that's the best resume bullet you can have. Don't be in too much of a hurry to rush out and build regional flight time...there are plenty of 10,000 - 15,000 hour regional pilots who never got called by a major. You would be better of with 1500 military hours than 15,000 regional hours

sandrich

Well, I've already started the application process. I figured it cant hurt. Gotta be in it to win it... I wasn't aware that you can hold job seniority while on duty, thats good to know. I guess it's personal preference, but would larger aircraft look better for majors than fighter type aircraft? I figured it would considering the multi-crew environment of a C-130, C17, etc...) Then again, flying an F-18 would be bad ass...My plan for now as keep flying civilian while the Guard application goes through. If anything comes up, I'll definitely consider the guard. Hopefully by then I'll have a regional job to lock in place.

Crewdog, Is my vision waiverable with or without surgery. I'm waiting for a recruiter to contact me back.

Adlerdriver

There are full time positions in the ANG. Each unit tends to handle them differently, but there is definitely a portion of every ANG unit manned with full-timers. Typically those positions are highly sought after but I've seen guys get hired as a part-timer and work their way into a full time spot.

There are two types: Technicians and AGR
Technicians are civil servants with a GS pay scale.
AGR folks are exactly the same as someone on active duty.

There are pros/cons to each that are well beyond this discussion. Bottom line, you could get hired at a Guard unit and eventually be there as a full time pilot.

rickair7777

All fixed-wing military pilot experience is good. The heavy guys have more airline-like experience, but the fighter guys are very good sticks by definition. There have been fighter guys who struggle transition to a crew environment but the reality is that they usually fly in two ship formations, so you have a wing-man instead of a co-pilot...but very similar business relationship.

Unless you have a woody for C-5's I'd go for fighters if you can get it. But even the heavy guys get to do some cool stuff with their airplanes.

You cannot fly F-18's in guard, and can only do it in the reserves if you had ten years full-time active duty fighter experience. F-16s and 15's are what you are looking at (very, very, very remote possibility of F-22's if you are a HI, VA or maybe AK native).