Which Reserve Unit?
04-25-2015 | 06:03 AM
#31
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
No one in this thread compared the two. Read them again. No one has ever said flying RPAs is "risky" or death-defying. They do claim, however, that they've saved a ton of Army and USMC lives, killed a boat load of terrorists, and contributed to the capture of many high-value targets. Perhaps that's not worthy of respect in YOUR world, but it is in mine.
I also have a good friend with a DFC and purple heart from his days flying MH-53 Pave Lows. He's now in the RPA world. I doubt you'd have the stones to tell him that he's not a "real" pilot anymore.
I also have a good friend with a DFC and purple heart from his days flying MH-53 Pave Lows. He's now in the RPA world. I doubt you'd have the stones to tell him that he's not a "real" pilot anymore.
Lighten up Francis.
04-25-2015 | 05:48 PM
#33
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: LM Skunk Works Pilot
RPAs would pay the bills and continue towards a mil retirement at 60. It's not building hours (does that matter if you already have about 4000?) or maintianing currency, but it is directly involved in the fight. FWIW, it's also a job I'd enjoy doing.
I have 10 deployments under my belt, time away from home is not anything unusual. The reason why I'm concerned about mil deployments is that I know an airline job involves spending a lot of time away from home, and adding even more adds to QOL concerns.
But--IHTFP: I'm here to fly planes. Maybe for both mil and civilain at the same time, maybe not.
So with that clarification, I'm still happy to listen to anyone's experiences and ideas on the best way to move forward. The jump out of the military and into the civilian world is a huge step to take with a lot of incomplete information. Many have done this before me, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can from them here.
I have 10 deployments under my belt, time away from home is not anything unusual. The reason why I'm concerned about mil deployments is that I know an airline job involves spending a lot of time away from home, and adding even more adds to QOL concerns.
But--IHTFP: I'm here to fly planes. Maybe for both mil and civilain at the same time, maybe not.
So with that clarification, I'm still happy to listen to anyone's experiences and ideas on the best way to move forward. The jump out of the military and into the civilian world is a huge step to take with a lot of incomplete information. Many have done this before me, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can from them here.
04-25-2015 | 05:53 PM
#34
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,847
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From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
RPAs would pay the bills and continue towards a mil retirement at 60. It's not building hours (does that matter if you already have about 4000?) or maintianing currency, but it is directly involved in the fight. FWIW, it's also a job I'd enjoy doing.
I have 10 deployments under my belt, time away from home is not anything unusual. The reason why I'm concerned about mil deployments is that I know an airline job involves spending a lot of time away from home, and adding even more adds to QOL concerns.
But--IHTFP: I'm here to fly planes. Maybe for both mil and civilain at the same time, maybe not.
So with that clarification, I'm still happy to listen to anyone's experiences and ideas on the best way to move forward. The jump out of the military and into the civilian world is a huge step to take with a lot of incomplete information. Many have done this before me, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can from them here.
I have 10 deployments under my belt, time away from home is not anything unusual. The reason why I'm concerned about mil deployments is that I know an airline job involves spending a lot of time away from home, and adding even more adds to QOL concerns.
But--IHTFP: I'm here to fly planes. Maybe for both mil and civilain at the same time, maybe not.
So with that clarification, I'm still happy to listen to anyone's experiences and ideas on the best way to move forward. The jump out of the military and into the civilian world is a huge step to take with a lot of incomplete information. Many have done this before me, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can from them here.
Do you have a separation date yet? Filled out all your airline apps yet? If you get an airline gig then, afterwards, go for the drone job, so you can stay home more.
04-25-2015 | 06:25 PM
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 174
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2 cents
Right now I'm looking at 2 reserve units: one flying RPAs and one flying smaller twin engine aircraft. I like the missions of both, and both have good leadership and good people. If you were in my shoes, and were fortunate enough to be offered a job by both, which would you chose? (I have friends in both units that will vouch for me, so this is a possibility)
The RPA unit has a growing mission and offers the opportunity to sleep in your own bed at the end of the day. QOL is likely to be slightly better than a manned aircraft unit, and the schedule is likely to be more flexible. I would not deploy unless I really wanted to. The downside is that if it takes 1-2 years to get hired by the airlines I'll be paying for my own flying the whole time.
The twin engine aircraft unit mission is my favorite type of flying, and I would be getting paid to build hours and maintain currency. Did I mention that I would be flying? The down side is less flexibility and more time away from home.
The RPA unit has a growing mission and offers the opportunity to sleep in your own bed at the end of the day. QOL is likely to be slightly better than a manned aircraft unit, and the schedule is likely to be more flexible. I would not deploy unless I really wanted to. The downside is that if it takes 1-2 years to get hired by the airlines I'll be paying for my own flying the whole time.
The twin engine aircraft unit mission is my favorite type of flying, and I would be getting paid to build hours and maintain currency. Did I mention that I would be flying? The down side is less flexibility and more time away from home.
Would you be able to gain IP status quickly and leverage that for more home station training and less time spent OCOUNS?
04-25-2015 | 08:18 PM
#36
Get me outta here...
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,541
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From: Boeing right seat
- Is he "not cut out to fly airplanes" since he is still pursuing flying UAV's?
- Or did you change your mind somewhere in this thread, and now it's ok?
04-25-2015 | 08:52 PM
#37
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,847
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From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
. Grow up. OK, now, about our boy asking advice, he said he wants to get an airline job. Flying a Drone will not help him. He later said he has 4,000 hours, which should be plenty to get an airline job. He didn't mention that in his first post. If he had, my response could have been tailored to that, vs. his asking about flying a drone.
He could be hired at a major tomorrow, then get a job flying a drone afterwards, if he needs the cash or wants to get a 20+ yr. retirement. He was short on that info in his first post, that's why I said what I said.
In his first post, he sounded like he was looking to build airplane flying time and needed to build time (not drone time) to get an airline job.
04-26-2015 | 04:56 PM
#40
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
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