If you go to a regional, fly your butt off there and don't play the mil leave game to pay the bills because the majors will catch onto that when you interview. If you can't afford to go to the regionals financially, stay where you are.

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Thanks all. The Army made my mind up for me, so not going anywhere in the interim, so summer of 2019 will hold true. About to finish the C-12 IP course, so another notch in the belt to build more experience on. I'm a commissioned guy, already have my degree and everything, and considering going back for grad school over the next two years to further broaden my background (thoughts on this anyone)? I appreciate everyone's input, thanks again.

Don't waste your money on a graduate degree.

Broaden your background?

I have two grad degrees. While I enjoyed the education, both degrees (pol sci and an MBA) were a big waste of resources (3 years of 9/11 GI Bill plus another $20k). As a military officer and airline pilot, neither degree has earned me a single dollar and are nothing more than interesting "credentials" (having not used the education professionally, everything I learned has gone stale) on my resume (which I've also never used).

IMO, unless you go (went) to grad school immediately following undergrad, wait until your employer tells you that you need a grad degree in order to progress professionally (in which they will probably pay for some or all of it). An important aspect of the grad school experience is intern opportunities. As an aspiring middle-age airline guy, you're not going to intern anywhere (you're already professionally competitive for the job you want, and probably can't afford the pay cut). Unless you get a grad degree in career you're already professionally established in, without the intern experience (build relationships, gain credibility), the grad degree is not only worthless but also an irresponsible use of time and money since you don't need one to get hired at a major.

If you really want a grad degree and are an O-4, look into doing the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College distance learning free masters program. It's free and checks two boxes (grad degree and PME). Other than that, save your time and money. Education is an investment. If it doesn't pay it's a bad investment.

My next huge waste of money will be law school. I always wanted to be a lawyer.

A graduate degree is another box to check on major airline apps. I probably wouldn't do it just for that reason but if you're staying in the mil in any capacity you'll need JPME-I, so if you can swing goverment-funded JPME + masters it would be worth it.

The ACSC distance learning masters has a focus that gets you JPME 1.

Unless you have career aspirations, JPME and a Masters is not going to get you toward your goals. Take your IP ticket and then go fly every trainer, mission, functional check, and overseas detachment you can for the next two years. Short of a bone sticking out somewhere never say no to the scheduler. Get every school possible and teach crew coordintion and instrument ground school. In your free time do something community service related. Right now you could get hired by a regional, but in two years and 800-1000 hours more you never know. Collect every business card you can from everybody you meet in Aviation. Networking isn't what you do when you get out, it is a web of people you know from when you were in. So understand every interaction you have is a potential contact and interview story. And don't speed when driving.

Good luck

Any guys or gals out there make the jump at 15-17 years active duty AF or military to the airlines?

My angle: almost 4K hrs, all mil, IP, EP, ATP complete and mil comp my CFII. I will have my first window of opportunity next year to attempt the jump to the airlines at just over 16 years in the military. I would do the Reserve/guard part time with high emphasis on the bare minimum for the Reserve part time job.

Would appreciate all perspectives on folks who have done similar recently or the older heads (respectfully) like Albie?

It happens, I probably wouldn't consider it for anything less than big three/FDX/UPS right now, and only if you can somehow have a job offer in hand before you commit to separation.

Other airlines either don't pay enough, have younger demographics (and thus slower seniority progression) or both.

Just my opinion. You could also possibly go back to active status in the ANG/AFR later on to finish 20. But I'd consider that icing, wouldn't hang my hat on it. Navy won't let you do that, not sure about USMCR/USCGR.

Thanks Rickair7777.