highsky

That's not what I said Jackass.

I said, " I don't understand why a civilian would be reading this."

Meaning I don't understand why it would interest you. The OP was seeking advice that's germane only to military Guard and Reserve.

Grow up. I really don't think you have a lot to worry about regarding UPS. You don't have a fukcing chance.

xjtguy

Well, excluding the "regional" part of the thread title, ummmm, OK.

Again, I'm sorry, were you saying something about being classy?

Flamer

Bum. 100%.

PotatoChip

I was going to post something to help... but then I realized it's a military thread and I am a civilian so I should have no interest in helping fellow aviators.

blastoff

You'll make $3-4000/mo bumming if you just maxed out your TP's and UTA's.

Depending on your bid seniority and how fast you become a line holder, you could be making $4-5000/mo at year 2 and beyond by flying for a regional and working Guard on some of your days off...if you have the energy, as that is a lot of work (I know from personal experience).

Depends on your family situation and finances how you want to work that.

You will (probably) build time twice as fast going to a regional. However, you'll lengthen your time to upgrade in the Guard by flying more civilian and less mil.

People will say that 121 SIC time will do you no good. 100% false. You already "Check the Box" as Mil Pilot...you need hours however you can get them, and at 3000 TT regardless of Turbine PIC you will start to get looks from majors.

If you are at a busy Guard Unit....I would continue bumming. BUT if yours is like most units and having a very un-happy sequester (cancelling locals, no MPA trips), your interest in regionals is not without merit. You will take a (big) hit on year 1 regional pay, though...might be a good time to deploy (again) and not spend the money that you just took home from this deployment.

highsky

Look, I don't want to come down too hard on you Man. Before I got into the military myself, I was palpably bitter towards military pilots. I was working just as hard as they were, it seemed. College valedictorian, professional, motivated. But it seemed like the military guys had an automatic Major airline job just as soon as they left the service. Indeed, back then, the problem a lot of military pilots had was trying to decide which Major Airline job offer to accept. I was so discouraged, I almost quit flying to go to law school.

Then I got into the military, and realized I wasn't being reasonable or fair. And especially nowadays, military guys really don't have an advantage. Like I said, half the guys in my UPS class were civilian, and those guys are studs. D. Yarger, a civilian in my class, is the finest 747 pilot on the planet, and taught me more about that plane than all other instructors put together.

We're all on the same team here. At UPS, there are no distinctions between military and civilian pilots. They are ALL top-tier aviators, equally respected.

Good luck. I wish you success wherever you seek it, UPS or otherwise.

Pancake

The OP has about 2000 TT, 300 of which is in the Herk. Would you give different advice to a military pilot with say... 2200 TT, 1800 of which is ME TPIC (including IP and FE time)?

blastoff

Honestly, I don't know if the average guy of IP age would likely tolerate the lifestyle or "professional environment" of being a year 1 regional pilot. Now that I'm no longer in my 20's and now an IP, I wouldn't do it if faced with the same decision today. It worked for me and was a lot of fun in the last decade as a young guy enjoying the crash pad and young crews while having a supplemental income that made it so I could afford to buy the next round.

Since the OP is a co-pilot, he needs some turbine time and the current budget situation may make it difficult for the next couple of years without selling himself to volunteer desert rotations.

In your case, probably depends on the airline and how well networked you are if 2200 TT is enough as an IP to get a look as a non-fighter guy.

xjtguy

Not really sure what you're getting at here. But I wasn't making a comparison in that regard as the tracks can be so incredibky differnet, anyway.........

I was just trying to provide answers to questions and possibly help out another aviator trying to navigate the airline pilot career path. With that said, I have ZERO reservation calling a spade a spade. Whether they flew an RJ, the F-teen C-one super stealth hawk heavy, or a freaking kite.

I DIDN'T call you a jackass, I DIDN'T engage in petty/immature name calling.

So yeah, grow up dude. Act like you made it through some of the toughest informal social filters in the form of becoming a military officer. As opposed to what you displayed here. Just sayin'.......

Paok

I dk where those figures come from. You don't make close to that maxing TPs and UTA as a copilot Lt. I was at a good regional, a great regional back in the day (Comair) I think I came home w about 14k my first year about 26k the second year. To make enough money to live off at a regional is super tough. On reserve or even as a line holding FO. I have had some reserve guard friends go regionals and quickly go on mil leave trying to find ANYTHING to get them out of the regional including deployments and non flying gigs. To pay the bills. It wasn't until recently that I realized how bad regional life was and I am not sure how I made it.

It's definatly a huge reality check coming off Lt bumming tax free etc. again it might be a good back up plan if MPA goes belly up. That's why I got my apps out to Atlas last year. I loved bumming but my days were numbered and owning houses and having a family I couldn't take that chance.

Some regional experience would definatly be beneficial going to a major... I honostly am not sure what i'd do but if the ACMI/LCC's aren't calling you maybe grab an rj gig as a backup! Good luck!