Navy submarine-driver to professional pilot?
#11
Bracing for Fallacies
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Posts: 3,543
What Huggy said.
I am a former submariner turned Navy pilot turned airline pilot. I have only heard of one other guy going the route you are considering, and he was a Trident CO who retired as an O-6 in the late 90's. He flew for SKW for a number of years, not sure if he is even still doing it. He did it because it was a great retirement job. He was making 70 grand a year in retirement, had his affairs in order, was an empty nester, and just wanted the travel benefits and some pay while flying a minimal schedule and traveling around.
You CAN do it. It will be much less punishing than nuke school and the nuke officer pipeline that you are accustomed to. I just don't know why you would want to when you will have so many other folks willing to hire you and pay you well for the skills and experience you already have vs. starting over from scratch in a career field that is designed for 22 year olds willing to starve for a while.
My advice? Use that gi bill for flight training if you want to, get a job that allows you to buy your own airplane, and fly for yourself on the weekends. Unless you have a decade to burn and don't like money, this really isn't a great career to start from scratch in.
I am a former submariner turned Navy pilot turned airline pilot. I have only heard of one other guy going the route you are considering, and he was a Trident CO who retired as an O-6 in the late 90's. He flew for SKW for a number of years, not sure if he is even still doing it. He did it because it was a great retirement job. He was making 70 grand a year in retirement, had his affairs in order, was an empty nester, and just wanted the travel benefits and some pay while flying a minimal schedule and traveling around.
You CAN do it. It will be much less punishing than nuke school and the nuke officer pipeline that you are accustomed to. I just don't know why you would want to when you will have so many other folks willing to hire you and pay you well for the skills and experience you already have vs. starting over from scratch in a career field that is designed for 22 year olds willing to starve for a while.
My advice? Use that gi bill for flight training if you want to, get a job that allows you to buy your own airplane, and fly for yourself on the weekends. Unless you have a decade to burn and don't like money, this really isn't a great career to start from scratch in.
And of course, the same goes to the original poster, Tshugart. Subs fascinate me. Thanks for your service.
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Retired
Posts: 3,717
Talk is cheap. Ask any group of pilots, especially airline pilots if they're still with the woman who vowed to support their dream of flying for a living. Bet it would be a real eye-opener.
My advice would be: stay in until they kick your butt out; it'll help your military retirement; it'll help the country to remain strong; you'll continue to get much satisfaction from doing a job that could only be done by a very select few, and obviously doing it well; it'll allow the Navy to not have to train your replacement for a while; it'll save you from the frustration of cow-towing to someone who probably shouldn't even be polishing your boots (flak vest installed, cleared in hot. Then when you do finally retire, go out and either buy yourself an airplane, or better yet, join a flying club and accrue your hours there, always remembering that if it flys, floats, or *****, it's cheaper to rent. And finally remember that chicks dig guys in those "fa***ty white uniforms." (A direct quote from that legendary warrior, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep.)
All that said, Best of luck with your decision. It's a tough one, but you've got your sierra together.
JJ
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,451
It's a lot less glamorous than it sounds. I went the enlisted route because I was a knucklehead when I first graduated high school. I got my sh!t together, finally, and through hard work and mostly luck got where I am now.
As I tell my kids, "I scrubbed a lot of toilets to get here".
#14
As a mid-career mil pilot, and a private aircraft owner, not only no, but HELL no I wouldn't do it OP. Not at your age and life stage. Flying transport category airplanes is overrated anyways. Doing it for no money is even more so. Recreational aviation would serve you well in military retirement. Plenty of ancillary aviation jobs that keep you flying, perhaps even small turbine equipment on a part 91 (or select 135 outfit) basis.
Again, I'm an O-3 with a wife and kid, and I own a piper Arrow outright. I foresee the ability to upgrade to true 3 mile/minute airplanes on an O-5 salary without upsetting my ability to provide for my son, even if my wife were to delay her entry into the workforce beyond her current school timeline. Your situation is much better. As Huggy pointed out, there is a WORLD of enthusiastic general aviation out there. Aerobatic piston airplanes to twin engine coast-to-coast in a day cruisers, to everything in between. Flying for money turns the job into a grind real quick. I've never felt that way when I fire up my Arrow with my family in tow.
It truly is a young man's career, especially with the self-imposed decade of poverty all entrants accept. Your time is more valuable than that, at least I would feel that way if I was in your shoes. I love flying planes, but I would never work for a regional. Even at my level, I believe my time is more valuable than that. If that means not flying for money, I'm fine with that. Affording private aviation has ironically allowed me the ability of not considering professional aviation as the only tolerable avenue for primary breadwinner income in my life.
Good luck to you.
Again, I'm an O-3 with a wife and kid, and I own a piper Arrow outright. I foresee the ability to upgrade to true 3 mile/minute airplanes on an O-5 salary without upsetting my ability to provide for my son, even if my wife were to delay her entry into the workforce beyond her current school timeline. Your situation is much better. As Huggy pointed out, there is a WORLD of enthusiastic general aviation out there. Aerobatic piston airplanes to twin engine coast-to-coast in a day cruisers, to everything in between. Flying for money turns the job into a grind real quick. I've never felt that way when I fire up my Arrow with my family in tow.
It truly is a young man's career, especially with the self-imposed decade of poverty all entrants accept. Your time is more valuable than that, at least I would feel that way if I was in your shoes. I love flying planes, but I would never work for a regional. Even at my level, I believe my time is more valuable than that. If that means not flying for money, I'm fine with that. Affording private aviation has ironically allowed me the ability of not considering professional aviation as the only tolerable avenue for primary breadwinner income in my life.
Good luck to you.
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,242
As a former 3rd class STS, then Naval Aviator (A-7) and finally a 30 yr. Airline Pilot, I can tell you, your current and future career in the Navy is SO much more rewarding. As much I have had a great aviation career, I can't tell you how many times I would have liked to have been the CO of a aircraft carrier. There is much more opportunity for you to make a lot more money, spend time with your family and be proud of your Naval Service in the Civilian community. Like those above have said, flying is an addiction. Many Naval bases have great flying clubs or buy your own plane. Timeshare is also an option. Enjoy your retirement. It goes by in a hurry.
#16
Bracing for Fallacies
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Posts: 3,543
It's a lot less glamorous than it sounds. I went the enlisted route because I was a knucklehead when I first graduated high school. I got my sh!t together, finally, and through hard work and mostly luck got where I am now.
As I tell my kids, "I scrubbed a lot of toilets to get here".
As I tell my kids, "I scrubbed a lot of toilets to get here".
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Position: FO
Posts: 627
It's a lot less glamorous than it sounds. I went the enlisted route because I was a knucklehead when I first graduated high school. I got my sh!t together, finally, and through hard work and mostly luck got where I am now.
As I tell my kids, "I scrubbed a lot of toilets to get here".
As I tell my kids, "I scrubbed a lot of toilets to get here".
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 281
You are considering throwing away all your naval experience plus the benefits of having a top secret clearance. I would stay in as long as possible and then pick up a masters degree in Naval Architecture to compliment your mechnical engineering degree (not that it is really necessary). You are looking at having a very productive second career for yourself and your family by staying in the marine career field. With the quality of military leadership at the national level I would also look at your wife getting out of active duty and into the reserves as soon as she can.
#19
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