Should have mentioned I fly Prowlers, not heavies. Not sure if that's a concern.

Leaving the military for the airlines was one of the scariest things I've ever done, and that was in an era when hiring was pretty heavy.

Sooooo much timing and luck involved in the transition. Fresh out of the military with 2K hours, I'd say you are pretty marketable, but it all boils down to who is hiring, and how many. There is no shortage of qualified pilots, and competition is stiff.

If it is possible, I'd consider waiting a few months to a year or more. I think there will be a marked up-tick in hiring, now that the age 65 thing is finally "over" and guys are being forced out. You don't want to leave the military, then not get hired, and end up being out of the game for a long period of time.

I'm thinking year to next three maybe four years would put folks on the early end of hiring. Within this time frame it probably won't make or break anyone to miss it by a year...seniority wise. After that though and depending on the airline it could mean a senior FO vs captain in the longer haul. It's a great time to gin up the application and consider a change of career but also remember that it can be much more subjective on the outside. Checking boxes is important but it's not like there is some time in grade requirement or promotion board looking at your paperwork. They don't care. Airlines will hire based on how they think you will fit and what kind of product they want. It is much more subjective and you should play the game accordingly. The Navy/Marine guys seem pretty good at this...coming from an AF guy.

As someone who got out back in 2001, do yourself a favor and in addition to looking for that airline dream job, do everything you can to get a reserve gig on the side. This board is filled with folks who made ends meet via the reserves while waiting for their dream job...and after their dream job furloughed them.

Thanks for the inputs. I'm already looking at the reserve options. Have you guys been able to fly a significant amount in a reserve unit while not working at the airlines? I'm unfamiliar with how easy it is to ramp your reserve time up and down. I'm thinking orange and white reserves should have job security.

Depends on the unit and mission, and (lately) funding. In Air Force Reserve or Guard AMC units, generally you can do the minimum (4-5 days per month) or lots more if you want it. Also if you are willing to go to the desert, you can get orders. This may change after FY 2014.

I love Guard/reserve idea, but as a retired guy....

Thanks for all the thoughts, still haven't figured out what I'm going to do but still leaning towards Jan vs June.

With 2k hours in a "fighter" you'll be fine as far as hours are concerned. I had about 1.7k when Delta hired me. Flight time doesn't paint the whole picture for us Mil types. Check Airman (SEFE/NATOPS(?), Instructor, Deployments, leadership positions, etc. all seem to matter to them in a way. Civies usually don't have all those opportunities so flight is probably weighted heavier. Civies have more time than mil guys, heavy mil guys have more than fighter guys.

Do the reserves. I do about 8-10 days a month between my Delta schedule and it nets me about $3k extra and gives me some flexibility with my schedule I wouldn't normally have otherwise.

True, the flight time (assuming the mins get met) ISN'T really a factor at all for mil. To separate from the peer group it takes what you mentioned, SEFE, NATOPS, IP, etc. With all that said, currency is STILL the biggest hurdle.

I'm a 8 yr commitment guy, so that means the Navy will send me to a boat or something for the year before I get out. For currency can I just ***** myself out to the local flight school as a CFI/II flying 172s when I have some downtime? Or will I need turbine time in that last year?