Pointy Nose Type Looking for Advice
12-03-2012, 03:13 PM
#22
Permanent Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,677
Originally Posted by voodiloquist
Lots of emotion in your post. You asked for spears -- you are considering departing AD because your squadron isn't treating you kindly and you feel jilted. Furthermore, you ask a bunch of strangers to assess your situation. Obviously, we cannot solve, nor should we, the intra-squadron dynamics you face. Man up my friend and make your own choices.
voodiloquist
voodiloquist
boy, you are a big help. the guy asked for advice, and you gave him a kick in the nads. typical fighter wad.
my advice to the OP is to listen to AlbieF15 - I am another of his successful students.
12-03-2012, 04:04 PM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,213
albief15 - "Shake off those FAIP blues--you used to be someone and now you aren't."
Switch equipment and you'll be the FNG again.
Switch career paths(mil to civ) and you'll be the FNG all over again.
Switch jobs and you'll be the FNG.
It's not always easy. Learn to deal with it or you'll be miserable, again and again and again.
Switch equipment and you'll be the FNG again.
Switch career paths(mil to civ) and you'll be the FNG all over again.
Switch jobs and you'll be the FNG.
It's not always easy. Learn to deal with it or you'll be miserable, again and again and again.
12-07-2012, 11:55 AM
#25
On Reserve
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Posts: 12
A lot of the advice on here has been rock solid. My best advice, it you want it, is to give it some time, and let the decision come to you, don’t force it. I did a few tours in AMC then got out, got on with a guard unit with a different airframe and mission. The grass isn't truly greener, but the experience is a lot different. Honestly, on the civilian/airline end of the game, after looking for a job for over a year, I decided to go to a regional just to stay flying and see what the airline life was like. There is very little hiring at the majors/cargo right now, and that was the best civilian flying opportunity for me. The bad news is that the pay is atrocious, and the flying is nothing close to the same. The good news is that I get to fly outside of the AF along with my guard gig.
There are a wealth of opportunities open to you leaving the service, and in all honesty, unless flying is all you ever want to do, you’re selling yourself a little short flying at a regional (don’t take it personal, ‘cause its not). I often wonder if I’m living up to my potential and if I should walk away and get an MBA get an office gig, etc…. But when I think about it, I had the same concerns and frustrations in the AF and the ANG for that matter. I struggled to enjoy my time in AMC (a lot of which was spent in CENTCOM). Some parts I look back on fondly and other parts I try not to think about. I chafed often in my squadrons too, often feeling overlooked like a lot of others. But as you can see from other people, that’s not the exception in life, that’s the game.
As for flying experience, every moment of PIC is worth its weight in gold. Whether it’s in a pointy nose job or a heavy crew airplane, it’s hard to come by on the civilian side, and it will make you stand out. But real talk, cherish the moments you are a mid level-CGO. Though they may not be completely fulfilling, you may find a measure satisfaction in the work you do, as long as you apply yourself to the work you have.
I’m not looking back at my time in the AD-AF, I'm happily moving on. If they called tomorrow and said they would like me to come back, my answer would be ‘sorry, not at this time.’ But though I ‘have my freedom’ on the outside, I’m seemingly perpetually broke, and constantly networking with other pilots and reading up on APC for word on better job opportunities, which if I think about it, is a lot like what I did pining for a better follow on assignment in the AF.
As for the ANG, there is a wealth of opportunities out there. It’s a nice place to work. Pick up the phone and call some places. You never really know what the full man power needs of a unit are. You may fit the bill perfectly. But the Guard, has its ups and downs too. For the little time I've been in, I've had a few setbacks I’d rather have done without. Nothing major, but we’re all a little perpetually impatient in this business, aren't we? I enjoy it immensely, but as my life changes I can see its going to get harder to wear three hats at once (family, work, and guard duty). Deployments, though less frequent, will not get any shorter, or less arduous.
On the airline side stick and rudder flying is a dying (or just dead) art form. You do almost nothing with the autopilot off (sans taxiing). If you’re thinking that much about it, look into the opportunity to get your 73-type/ATP, or doing something like ATP’s regional jet standards course (no I’m not endorsing it, I never did it, and it may be a complete waste of money). But, it may open your eyes to what life on the other side is like. As I said before, it’s not greener on the other side, but it is a whole lot different.
There are a wealth of opportunities open to you leaving the service, and in all honesty, unless flying is all you ever want to do, you’re selling yourself a little short flying at a regional (don’t take it personal, ‘cause its not). I often wonder if I’m living up to my potential and if I should walk away and get an MBA get an office gig, etc…. But when I think about it, I had the same concerns and frustrations in the AF and the ANG for that matter. I struggled to enjoy my time in AMC (a lot of which was spent in CENTCOM). Some parts I look back on fondly and other parts I try not to think about. I chafed often in my squadrons too, often feeling overlooked like a lot of others. But as you can see from other people, that’s not the exception in life, that’s the game.
As for flying experience, every moment of PIC is worth its weight in gold. Whether it’s in a pointy nose job or a heavy crew airplane, it’s hard to come by on the civilian side, and it will make you stand out. But real talk, cherish the moments you are a mid level-CGO. Though they may not be completely fulfilling, you may find a measure satisfaction in the work you do, as long as you apply yourself to the work you have.
I’m not looking back at my time in the AD-AF, I'm happily moving on. If they called tomorrow and said they would like me to come back, my answer would be ‘sorry, not at this time.’ But though I ‘have my freedom’ on the outside, I’m seemingly perpetually broke, and constantly networking with other pilots and reading up on APC for word on better job opportunities, which if I think about it, is a lot like what I did pining for a better follow on assignment in the AF.
As for the ANG, there is a wealth of opportunities out there. It’s a nice place to work. Pick up the phone and call some places. You never really know what the full man power needs of a unit are. You may fit the bill perfectly. But the Guard, has its ups and downs too. For the little time I've been in, I've had a few setbacks I’d rather have done without. Nothing major, but we’re all a little perpetually impatient in this business, aren't we? I enjoy it immensely, but as my life changes I can see its going to get harder to wear three hats at once (family, work, and guard duty). Deployments, though less frequent, will not get any shorter, or less arduous.
On the airline side stick and rudder flying is a dying (or just dead) art form. You do almost nothing with the autopilot off (sans taxiing). If you’re thinking that much about it, look into the opportunity to get your 73-type/ATP, or doing something like ATP’s regional jet standards course (no I’m not endorsing it, I never did it, and it may be a complete waste of money). But, it may open your eyes to what life on the other side is like. As I said before, it’s not greener on the other side, but it is a whole lot different.
12-07-2012, 10:59 PM
#26
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 27
Everyone, thanks for the advice and help. Like I stated before I still have a few years to get it all figured out so no major changes will be happening for me any time soon. Some things have started to iron themselves out and I've had to remember that I am extremely Type A so that is part of it. I'll tell you though I can't imagine giving up some of this stuff... EVER. Doing HABFM and going pure vertical at the merge is ridiculously fun and the thought of walking away from things like that and 9G break turns is unimaginable to me so it's really a catch 22. Like a lot of things in the AF I get the feeling that all of these decisions will be made for me. If they keep me in the jet then that will be hard to pass up or if they don't... well.
12-08-2012, 03:28 AM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
If you go pure vertical at the merge its easy to lead turn the **** out of you once your nose tracks downhill through the horizon. You wanted life advice, but if you open your cake-hole on these boards we might critique your BFM too....
Seriously...glad its looking up. Offer to chat is open....
Seriously...glad its looking up. Offer to chat is open....
12-08-2012, 04:05 AM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2011
Position: Pressing On
Posts: 524
Albie knows the AF and AFR and beyond as well as anybody, so listen to him. Just a different perspective from a non AF guy who changed planes 5 times, and never set foot in a fighter ready room except to explain what to do when i rescued them. The FNG is the FNG no matter where you go. Being the new guy or gal means sucking some **** through a straw. May not be right but it happens. Squadron life, just like politics, anin't beanbag so go get what you earned and and are still earning. You only have choices after you make the effort to to be the best at your craft. So be better at your jobs constantly so if you stay you have good choices and if you bail you have better choices in the Guard, reserve, and commercial aviation.
You gotta be there anyway, so why not kick some ass?
You gotta be there anyway, so why not kick some ass?
12-15-2012, 09:25 PM
#29
New Hire
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
Past 20
Gents,
I'm in much the same boat as many of you who've transitioned (mil to civ) after 20. I agree with the advice for the original poster. If you're close to 20 stick it out. But for those of us who have a pension in the bag and family they are tired of leaving for 6-9 months at a shot, what are the groups thoughts?
I'm in much the same boat as many of you who've transitioned (mil to civ) after 20. I agree with the advice for the original poster. If you're close to 20 stick it out. But for those of us who have a pension in the bag and family they are tired of leaving for 6-9 months at a shot, what are the groups thoughts?
12-16-2012, 02:21 AM
#30
Super Moderator
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,555
Originally Posted by Albief15
If you go pure vertical at the merge its easy to lead turn the **** out of you once your nose tracks downhill through the horizon. You wanted life advice, but if you open your cake-hole on these boards we might critique your BFM too...
But seriously, thanks for advice Albie...as always, good stuff!
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