Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Career Builder > Military
Pick a Location or an Airframe? >

Pick a Location or an Airframe?

Search
Notices
Military Military Aviation

Pick a Location or an Airframe?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-06-2013, 10:30 AM
  #1  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Mustangcbra's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2009
Position: C-17A
Posts: 97
Default Pick a Location or an Airframe?

So I am running into one of the better dilemmas that a pilot can have. As it stands it appears that there are two Guard/Reserve units that may want to hire me in the near future. Unfortunately they have different aircraft and it is like comparing apples to oranges.

One of the perspective units that I am speaking with has a great city that it is co-located with and it is pretty close to my hometown however it is not my preferred airframe.

The second unit has an awesome airframe that is my number one choice however it's in an area that has a high cost of living, the location is not as good and its four more hours away from my hometown.

All things being equal between the units, do you all advise picking an air frame or a location?
Mustangcbra is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 11:24 AM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
130drvr's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Bus
Posts: 768
Default

Need more details, if you have a family, go with first option. Personally, QOL trumps type of cockpit. IMHO
130drvr is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 11:25 AM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
 
130drvr's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Bus
Posts: 768
Default

If you have or desire an airline job, then option one makes even more sense.
130drvr is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 11:41 AM
  #4  
Prime Minister/Moderator
 
rickair7777's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,211
Default

If it's only four hours away, would you consider moving? That's not too far in the grand scheme of military and airline careers

As far as preferred airframe, are you considering long-term career issues, or just personal preference/cool factor?

Fighters get you PIC fast, but heavies get you valuable crew experience, "airline-like" international experience, and more total time.

Is one airframe or another more likely to get parked/converted to UAV's?
rickair7777 is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 11:48 AM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
USMCFLYR's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Default

Originally Posted by rickair7777 View Post
If it's only four hours away, would you consider moving? That's not too far in the grand scheme of military and airline careers

As far as preferred airframe, are you considering long-term career issues, or just personal preference/cool factor?

Fighters get you PIC fast, but heavies get you valuable crew experience, "airline-like" international experience, and more total time.

Is one airframe or another more likely to get parked/converted to UAV's?
Yeah rickair7777 is right - - - and it isn't like you'll have the rest of your life to get any of those things.

The airframe can be a very personal choice.
The time/distance away from home can be a personal choice - though I hope you aren't one of those that will chose a career that involves known travel and then complain about travel and being on the road. That always struck me as odd. Much like those few that join the military and then complain about being sent to fight.
USMCFLYR is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 01:25 PM
  #6  
Prime Minister/Moderator
 
rickair7777's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,211
Default

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
Yeah rickair7777 is right - - - and it isn't like you'll have the rest of your life to get any of those things.

The airframe can be a very personal choice.
The time/distance away from home can be a personal choice - though I hope you aren't one of those that will chose a career that involves known travel and then complain about travel and being on the road. That always struck me as odd. Much like those few that join the military and then complain about being sent to fight.

For clarity, if I had a choice I'd pick fighters...career, etc be damned. But that's just me.
rickair7777 is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 03:14 PM
  #7  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Mustangcbra's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2009
Position: C-17A
Posts: 97
Default

Essentially both airframes I am looking at are the same class. KC-135 vs C-17. I think the career prospects are about the same. Its like comparing Apples to Oranges that's the problem.
Mustangcbra is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 03:33 PM
  #8  
Gets Weekends Off
 
PittsDriver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 293
Default

I would choose the one with the mission that appeals to you and not the location. 4 hours away from home is nothing. Nice to have options though!
PittsDriver is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 04:06 PM
  #9  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Posts: 85
Default

You need to specify, I'm guessing DC/NJ is the expensive one.....
Pyro is offline  
Old 06-06-2013, 04:15 PM
  #10  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: May 2012
Posts: 1,126
Default Pick a Location or an Airframe?

Having flown both, I think you will enjoy flying the C-17 far more than the KC-135. My guess is you will also build hours much faster in the C-17 due to the mission.
waldo135 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ERJF15
Military
15
08-18-2012 07:32 PM
skypine27
Cargo
14
09-19-2007 07:52 AM
Lifeisgood
Major
6
08-26-2007 08:14 PM
Navajo31
Regional
19
08-21-2007 01:15 PM
oldveedubs
Hangar Talk
15
03-18-2007 07:59 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Your Privacy Choices