Say you have military aviation experience, whether it be a helicopter, or a jet pilot... whatever. If that is the ONLY expertise you have, what can you do after you get out, and who can you fly for other than big commercial jet liners. I mean, isn't being a commercial jet pilot just like driving a bus your whole life?

 

In many respects, yes.

Please note that I didn't put a negative connotation on that.

Some people like just being bus drivers. Others drive a bus to pay the bills and then find something else to do to fill their excitement or achievement squares.

Some people enjoy the lack of living in a meritocracy...no pressure, no competition, etc. Some people, on the other hand, miss that part of the military.

As for what one can do besides fly for a major...why anything one puts his mind to.

That's really the entire point.

 

You could always fly the biz-jets. You are more like a taxi driver, as opposed to a bus driver. You can still have a good time with it during pre/de positioniong legs...especailly when those summer time puffies are around.

 

Actually, most military officers have a degree in something other than aviation and have experience in many other areas besides just flying. Flying isn't the only job and quite often, flying becomes secondary to administrative duties.

Being a commercial jet pilot is more like flying an airplane your whole life (actually, just till 60 years old), not like driving a bus. You don't hear people talking about bus drivers and their career being like flying commercial airliners around their whole life, do you? Why do it go the other way?

 

You're far more marketable outside of flying becuase:

1. You know how to lead and motivate people. To the unknowing, they think you bark and the boys jump. To those of us who know, depending on that method means they'll manage to screw it up unless you use the leadership tools you are taught and learn. It takes more skill than it seems to.
2. You can manage complex processes and commonly, budgets.
3. You understand how to work in a structured environment (i.e. follow operations procedures, understand OSHA).
4. Demonstrated ability to make rapid, accurate decisions in a pressured environment (i.e. with people shooting at you!)
5. Responsibility for your actions and an ability to see the big picture.
6. Work ethic, trainability, blah blah blah

Generalizations, of course.

You can end up in a scenario (like me) where you're short on the PIC time to get hired by a major due to being in a multiplace aircraft and never doing an IP tour.

In reality, a significant portion (50%+ from my experience) of aviators that leave the military go to non-flying jobs. Many of those never fly again - I was always amazed at the folks that never got their FAA equivilency done.

I got hired by several regionals, a cargo airline and probably would have been hired by a fractional, but instead I'm working as a management consultant. QOL, Benefits and $$ smoke check the flying world, I thouroughly enjoy the work (some may not) and I fly on the weekends for fun. And I find it is more fun when you're not being paid to do it!

But ---

It all depends on what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning!

HTH
Spongebob

 

I retired from the Air Guard 2 years ago. I flew fighters for 17 year's.
But not before I served 3 years in the USMC as a grunt, and another 3
year's being an enlisted swill while completing college.

I was hired by Northwest just prior to 911. We all know how that worked
out. It is, what it is...I was with Air Wisconsin for over 5 years.
I would call that less then bus driving. Until you have been in ORD, day in
and day out. You can't explain it. You have to experience it.

My father is a retired fighter pilot also that turned downed a job offer
from American Airlines in the early 70's. He didn't take it because; they
were called BUS DRIVERS at the time. He just liked flying fighters.

He still regret's it. His retirement would be much greater than the Air Guard.
But the one thing my father did bring up, which totally made sense.
He still has his retirement. As I will when I turn 60.

One other note: You can serve your country and feel proud about it.
There is no shame in that, regardless of what country you served for.

And flying for a regional or a Major is not like driving a bus by the way.
If it was that easy all the bus drivers would be doing it. Just ask one.
By the way, when was the last time you saw a Commercial Passenger
Aircraft cross the railroad tracks and get hit by a train...