"Networking"
#21
#23
New Hire
Joined APC: May 2015
Posts: 2
Certainly. Lets imagine the average Joe goes into the military at 23-24. If he only serves 20 years he's coming out at 43-44. That gives him 22-23 years of airline service IF he gets hired right out of the box.
In the mean time, he's got guys getting on with his major in their late 20's early 30's. Those guys will have 10 to 15 years seniority over him when he finally does get hired.
Who's going to be sitting in the LIMITED number of widebody seats as Mr. Military gets to the end of his career? You got it, the young guys who went the civilian route.
The best a military retiree can hope for is a narrow body Captain seat with little or no commuting. Not that there's anything wrong with that, its just a full career miltary retiree is fooling himself if he imagines he'll ever see the left seat of a 777.
In the mean time, he's got guys getting on with his major in their late 20's early 30's. Those guys will have 10 to 15 years seniority over him when he finally does get hired.
Who's going to be sitting in the LIMITED number of widebody seats as Mr. Military gets to the end of his career? You got it, the young guys who went the civilian route.
The best a military retiree can hope for is a narrow body Captain seat with little or no commuting. Not that there's anything wrong with that, its just a full career miltary retiree is fooling himself if he imagines he'll ever see the left seat of a 777.
#24
Airline flying is about lifestyle. Combining retirement with airline pay balances the math. No complaints about missing out on WB captain. Will just have to suck it up.
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,666
Stayed in 20+ because they let me keep flying, promoted me, and was having fun. Different environment than now in almost every way. Kept my Rolodex updated then put it all in my cell phone. Whether you are gonna sell Spacely Sprockets to your old bros or sell yourself to them for a rec, you need to network while you are in not while are trying to avoid getting sweet and sour sauce on your dark blue Joseph A Bank suit while talking to a 25 year old HR wannabe.
Airline flying is about lifestyle. Combining retirement with airline pay balances the math. No complaints about missing out on WB captain. Will just have to suck it up.
#26
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2015
Posts: 6
Thank you
Thank you all for your responses and your advice. I really don't know if I want to go fly an airliner or if I want to find something else to do with airplanes. In any case I'm sure the advice you've provided will be very helpful.
I'm sure I'll be back with more questions soon.
I'm sure I'll be back with more questions soon.
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Airplane
Posts: 2,385
Ask away! I made the transition from the J-Model to an Airbus two years ago and don't regret it at all. The airline life is pretty laid back. The difference is pretty substantial though, the excitement in the airline life is not what it is in the military. Obviously.
But, I've done that excitement, now flying is a job. And I love going to work.
My schedule is usually 16-18 days off a month, I fly pretty much where and when I want. I'm in the top 1/3 of the base seniority list, so I'm getting one of my first ten picks for flying lines. Every other month I work in the training department, teaching new hires in the Airbus simulator, so that quenches my instruction addiction.
The work is laid back, the quality of life is great and the retirement check offsets the poor first year pay.
Let us know if you have any more questions.
But, I've done that excitement, now flying is a job. And I love going to work.
My schedule is usually 16-18 days off a month, I fly pretty much where and when I want. I'm in the top 1/3 of the base seniority list, so I'm getting one of my first ten picks for flying lines. Every other month I work in the training department, teaching new hires in the Airbus simulator, so that quenches my instruction addiction.
The work is laid back, the quality of life is great and the retirement check offsets the poor first year pay.
Let us know if you have any more questions.
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 534
I’d just add consider attending a future Women in Aviation conference (open to dudes as well). It’ll cost some bank to attend but I’d say it’s worth it if you can. I attended this year (after just recently retiring from active duty) with the main goal of getting to meet with a few of the airline recruiters (which I did and that was a good experience in itself).
But what I didn’t expect / know about was all the other events going on. There were all kinds of side lectures/seminars regarding all facets of aviation. For example, I jumped in on corporate aviation lecture. One of the speakers – now a corporate Chief Pilot - was a retired F-16 guy whom spoke about how he came about choosing corporate over the legacies and why that’s worked for him, etc. All of the large carriers also gave hiring briefings which consisted of a small pitch about their airline, current happenings, what to expect as a new hire and most importantly what they look for in candidates and some gouge on the particulars of their hiring process. For me, these briefings were huge and answered a lot of my questions.
There are other aviation conferences / pilot job fairs (such as OBAP) but I haven’t attended these so can’t say if it’s the same. Best of luck!
But what I didn’t expect / know about was all the other events going on. There were all kinds of side lectures/seminars regarding all facets of aviation. For example, I jumped in on corporate aviation lecture. One of the speakers – now a corporate Chief Pilot - was a retired F-16 guy whom spoke about how he came about choosing corporate over the legacies and why that’s worked for him, etc. All of the large carriers also gave hiring briefings which consisted of a small pitch about their airline, current happenings, what to expect as a new hire and most importantly what they look for in candidates and some gouge on the particulars of their hiring process. For me, these briefings were huge and answered a lot of my questions.
There are other aviation conferences / pilot job fairs (such as OBAP) but I haven’t attended these so can’t say if it’s the same. Best of luck!