Early retirement vs staying for 20
07-22-2013, 09:14 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Retired Naval Aviator
Posts: 377
Originally Posted by MikeF16
I'm nervous about getting out with 3k TT and you're considerably lower. First wave of hiring will be extremely competitive, if you think what you've got can get you an interview then the advice a friend who is a furloughed American pilot applies (paraphrased) 'once you know you are looking for an airline job, every line number you delay hurts you, get out asap'. One class date sooner for him would've been about 5 years less worth of furlough.
So, if you think you can get hired get out. If you don't get a job stay another year until the 3k+ fighter guys, 6k+ heavy/civilian guys get hired 1st. If I was flying and nondeployable I'd have probably waited another year but my scheduled deployment drove this fight for me. I'm scared to death this massive wave of hiring will be just like the last one -- complete BS -- and I'll rot while guys who waited get scooped up in a year or two.
So, if you think you can get hired get out. If you don't get a job stay another year until the 3k+ fighter guys, 6k+ heavy/civilian guys get hired 1st. If I was flying and nondeployable I'd have probably waited another year but my scheduled deployment drove this fight for me. I'm scared to death this massive wave of hiring will be just like the last one -- complete BS -- and I'll rot while guys who waited get scooped up in a year or two.
I never had the option of early out so I did 20 years, terminal O-4. Finished with 3025 TT and was hired by a few Regionals, went with AWAC though I might change to L-3 here shortly. The company has been great but the money is not good lol
07-22-2013, 11:18 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by bunk22
Anything is possible, two of my buddies were hired in the first wave at United, one high and one low (for the military at least). Higher time had 4800 hours (S-3/T-45/C-12) and the other with 2400TT (AV-8B/T-45/C-12).
I never had the option of early out so I did 20 years, terminal O-4. Finished with 3025 TT and was hired by a few Regionals, went with AWAC though I might change to L-3 here shortly. The company has been great but the money is not good lol
I never had the option of early out so I did 20 years, terminal O-4. Finished with 3025 TT and was hired by a few Regionals, went with AWAC though I might change to L-3 here shortly. The company has been great but the money is not good lol
OCONUS L-3 flying or the DoD contract Lear type of L-3 flying?
07-22-2013, 11:25 AM
#14
Super Moderator
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,549
Mins are just needed to apply. Your contacts and quality off time (IP/EP/etc) are going to be what help the most. Emphasis on contacts! A squadron mate was hired at Fedex, with just over the mins (all viper time + a little civilian), his contact is what got him the interview.
A few years ago, I just so happened to befriend someone who is good friends with the CP for a Legacy (last I heard, now the DO). Ended up hanging out a few times and he kinda gave me how they looked at fighter time. I won't quote exact details, but I wouldn't be to worried with your times. You are more than qualified. Network!
A few years ago, I just so happened to befriend someone who is good friends with the CP for a Legacy (last I heard, now the DO). Ended up hanging out a few times and he kinda gave me how they looked at fighter time. I won't quote exact details, but I wouldn't be to worried with your times. You are more than qualified. Network!
07-22-2013, 02:02 PM
#15
Otto
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Position: Turkish Pile Driver
Posts: 1,806
Originally Posted by Sputnik
This is kind of off topic, but just for the record I know exactly zero heavy drivers with 6k. Maybe in the reserves? Oddly, most guys seem to top off in the 3 range, guys over 4 are kind of rare. Staff/school, etc. Others seeing something else?
Mike with 3k fighter/trainer time, everything I've seen and heard indicates you'll be just fine as far as hours go (possibly excepting Spirit).
Mike with 3k fighter/trainer time, everything I've seen and heard indicates you'll be just fine as far as hours go (possibly excepting Spirit).
And btw, (I think) Midas has >7k hours in the F-16
It's like Lockheed built one just for him and he wore it out.
07-24-2013, 07:17 PM
#17
Get me outta here...
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: Boeing right seat
Posts: 1,541
Two years ago, I was flying the MC-12 at Bagram, and we had a FAIP who did 11+ months there, and logged over 1000 hours in that time.
Brillo is the only Viper pilot to go over 6000 hours. I don't believe he has 7000 yet.
Midas hit 5000 3-5 years ago. I have no idea if he's still flying the Viper.
Brillo is the only Viper pilot to go over 6000 hours. I don't believe he has 7000 yet.
Midas hit 5000 3-5 years ago. I have no idea if he's still flying the Viper.
07-24-2013, 11:11 PM
#18
Get me outta here...
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: Boeing right seat
Posts: 1,541
Originally Posted by Elvis90
Delta required that I have proof that I applied for retirement before they would give me an interview.
How did they word it when they told you this?
07-25-2013, 02:46 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Brown
Posts: 1,126
What makes you a "fast burner" in the USAF is not what gets you hired in the airline world. In fact, often times it keeps you from getting hired. Airlines want you for one reason: your ability to fly their airplanes the way they want.
28 year old O-3s with 2500 heavy hours will get the call over 3000 hour retiring O-6 F-15 pilots. My point being that don't for a second think you are entitiled anything because of your service record. Conversely, as long as you meet the minimums you have a great shot at getting hired. Airlines also look for proportionality of experience. If you are retiring after 20 you'd better have tons of hours. They expect younger guys to have less. Just my opinion. I got hired at UPS, and SWA, and had interview calls from everywhere I wanted (except FDX) when I got out as a senior O-3 with less than 3000 hours in heavies.
28 year old O-3s with 2500 heavy hours will get the call over 3000 hour retiring O-6 F-15 pilots. My point being that don't for a second think you are entitiled anything because of your service record. Conversely, as long as you meet the minimums you have a great shot at getting hired. Airlines also look for proportionality of experience. If you are retiring after 20 you'd better have tons of hours. They expect younger guys to have less. Just my opinion. I got hired at UPS, and SWA, and had interview calls from everywhere I wanted (except FDX) when I got out as a senior O-3 with less than 3000 hours in heavies.
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