Former C-141 and C-17 guy as well. 141s were like airline flying, point to point throwing in Air Refueling (AR) from time to time just to be challenging. Never airdrop as we were not a SOLL II unit, but still basic fun. C-17 currency painful but plenty of hand flying like the Herc. HUD was a necessary cheat, but dumping a heavy aircraft into a short strip and stopping her (lightweight) before the Thrust Reversers (TR’s) were out was a kick. She is all brakes (Bugatti). I never really enjoyed the max rapid descents with TR’s out, preferred the non TR rapid descents personally. Departing the field at well less than 3000ft, suck the gear and continuing to accelerate, then pull (playing Fighter dude, that’s are best try) was another kick for a true heavy. She turns on a dime for a big girl and makes you look good with all the bells and whistles. I will say, unless you're doing Air Evac at .78/.80 smooth, trucking around at AMC .74 was dismal at times in the jet world. Flying an airline fast jet now and restricted to .90 max over the North Atlantic Tracks or customer restrictions to save gas/$ is still a lot faster than the C-17 ever was, so I now enjoy taking off after them and landing an hour prior to their arrival or more with normally more crew to split the task. I will say I do miss those hand flying challenges, or sneaking into dark airspace from 30K+ feet and reminisce over the few double AR days. Long and tiring, but incredibly rewarding getting that burn victim back stateside or whatnot. Flying to shattered places around the world with relief supplies and Rescue personnel is extremely rewarding as well. Bottom line, you will have some fantastic memories in the heavy world (Herc included) flying with your best friends taking the party to wherever you go = priceless!
Sounds like if your after flight hours the KC is the way to go, but you will get hired in this climate regardless if the commercial gig is what your after. I suspect the KC world would be easier to juggle both.
You can save a fighter dude or one of us heavy haulers who need to get somewhere and I was always greatful for Exxon on time! Beers and cheers to all of you @$$ kicking gassers out there. One of you fellas had to toboggan with me to help me out, great ✊ respect!
Note: This was Air Guard flying.