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I actually believe it is easier for FlyHigh to get into the Air Force than a major. Majors aren’t hiring now and when they do, there are thousands of pilots that are ahead of him with tons of 121 experience. If you don’t have the massive amount of mutli pic turbine time they want, they won’t even look at you. Originally Posted by Adlerdriver
It’s not going to be any easier for him to get a fighter pilot job or any flying position in the military for that matter
The Air Force, on the other hand, will look at you with zero time. Now, I don’t know much about fighters, but I do know that if you work hard for a pilot slot in the AF, there is a good chance of it paying off. Unlike the airlines, you don’t have to start preparing for a career in the Air Force praying that by the time you meet their standards they will be hiring.
I am sorry that so many think that expecting to be stuck at a regional is a horrible mindset and a sign that the career is dead. I am sorry, but as many have stated before it is dead and has been dead for years. That does not mean to give up on it and become content with the new status quo, but it also does not mean we should accept low paying jobs and brain wash ourselves into believing that we will be the lucky few who get to move on after a few years. That is the attitude that got us low wages. Everyone knew that the pay was bad, but they justified it by saying “I will only be here a few years, and then it will pay off when I get to the majors”. I think that mindset has done more harm than preparing to never get past the regional level.
I knew what this industry was when I started my training and I set my goals accordingly. My dream was to go into the Air Force and become a fighter pilot. Then I would go to the reserves and start at a major airline and make international captain before I retired. After doing some research, I modified my plan. I asked myself if I would still be happy if I could not get into the Air Force and my airline career peeked at commuter captain. Although it is depressing, I still thought that it would be better than sitting in an office and running that rat race. That doesn’t mean that I have forgotten about my dream, but I realize that it is only a dream.
So, FlyHigh, focus on the Air Force. You have more control of that career than you do of the airlines.