Leaderboard

I have been with this board since shortly after its inception - I joined as a young Captain and tapered off after retiring two years ago as a Lt Col. Due to my departure and shrinking level of current USAF knowledge, my contributions to this board have diminished. But it occurred to me after a PM from a board member that myself and others in my situation still have a valuable contribution to those who are looking towards a post-AF career. So I'm starting this thread as a specific Q&A for airline hiring, with emphasis on direct connection to guys working for the airlines who can mentor and assist. I am not posting this in the "Leaving the Air Force for the Airlines" thread because I want this to be less bitching and more informational. For those who currently fly, please chime in and provide credentials. Ideally we can provide an accurate picture of what it's like for our specific airlines. I'll start. American Airlines DFW 737 First Officer. Feb 2016 hire, previously MIA based. The grass is definitely greener - no queep, no work once you're done. On reserve, 12/13 days off a month and guarantee pay of 73-76 hours a month as a reserve pilot (higher pay as a lineholder). Commuting blows ass, first year pay ain't great, but 2nd year pay is equivalent to my retirement pay as an O-5. Some of the work rules aren't great, but from a relative perspective of 20 years in the Air Force, this is a sweet gig.

OTS 1803 9 Jan - 9 Mar Laughlin UPT starting 24 April Into the pipeline I go!

Don't you go dying on me!

CSAF / SecAF say reduce/resize regs... Informal poll: Should 11-217 stay or go? Should it just be 11-202 and the AIM (Navy style)? Any and all thoughts appreciated.

Retired in June. Working for Delta. Also got hired by Southwest and United (so I’ve seen their process). Invited to interview with Fedex and American (tired of interviewing at that point). (Bragging) its a sellers market out there. Happy to help

I hope his answer is "the vault, the bar, the strip club."

I hope the other services are diligent in screening their aviation candidates. You might consider serving in another capacity.

STRANGER DANGER! STRANGER DANGER!

OK, I like your drive, where do you want to live?

It's all fun and games until we make you drink it.

Important note... He’s not a Sgt. He never really was a Sgt. He was promoted retroactively and was actually an E-3 when he deserted. But now he’s private again.

Jim's a good dude!

I guess we should curl up in a ball and cry for mama. WTFO.

All valid points and I won't even pretend to defend his comments. I would not have threatened no-notice check rides, not the place on a DOV guy. On the other hand if I was the SQ/CC and my IPs were sitting in a circle talking about the airlines at work I would justifiably not be happy. We all bitch about the bullshit queep that keeps us from flying and focusing on the mission, shouldn't that apply both ways? "Good Dude" in this context...really means good leader. I know many people on here know who he is, but I will still attempt to preserve his anonymity. Let me give some examples of what I am talking about. He is MOST certainly NOT part of the management club, on multiple occasions I saw him say no to STUPID shit from above. The Command wanted to deploy someone to a useless position...NO, he stopped it and took the heat. Being told his wing needed to perform some dopey make-busy tasks on a weekend..."Fuck NO" was his answer. Performing and tracking bullshit queep tasks that had nothing to do with mission..."Don't fucking do it." He hates the career model and is straight up PROUD he was never an exec and never did a pentagon tour. One final example, THREE days after met him he pushed a set of G Series orders for the Wing across the desk and told me he was leaving for almost a month. The Wing ORI was going to kick off four days later so I asked "what is your guidance"...his response was "don't fuck it up...they know what to do." He didn't call during the ORI, no second guessing, no micro-managing...zip. When it was over I called him and he said how did it go? I answered "we got an Excellent" and he replied "those fuckers should have given us an Outstanding...anyway here is what is happening down range." For those who think we need the second coming of Robin Olds (and we do), please remember Olds was fucking his wing secretary and was not exactly easy on those around him when he was drinking which was often...even the great ones have warts. I am sure none of this is translating, I am too close and truly respect the guy. I have other stories I can't share. Also, if he came back to read this he would be pissed to see me defend him.

why don't you PM them with your questions, dipshit?

ASAP reporting should never be punitive. Otherwise nobody would report.

It takes a lot of documentation to get to an FEB in the KC-10. It was a brutal experience sitting on one for a pilot years ago...but the individual's training record and testimony by all witnesses (regardless of whose "side" they were on) told the story very clearly that he should not continue as a pilot. YMMV.

Because I was inverted... https://alert5.com/2017/06/30/f-35c-fires-aim-9x-while-inverted/

Here's a free piece of advice you should take- NEVER pass up the opportunity to shut the fuck up