HuggyU2

I've seen a few active duty pilots do this successfully. In all cases, the pilots were transparent with their CC's/leadership and everyone made it work. But I recall this being a week or two... not months. I do not "speak Guard" and your multitude of types of orders you are on... but I'd say if you are transparent and trust your leadership to provide top cover, it can be done seamlessly. What are the risks? I don't know. I'm sure there are some. Personally, I would not do it.

Is FedEx sending their "shiny Pennies" to Weapons School?

If you want to go to the airlines, your timing is excellent. There are instances of Majors recently hiring 25 year old pilots with no turbine time. The first-hand stories from my friends in the training center at multiple airlines are amazing. 2000 hours, I'm guessing all turbine? I think you'll be fine. Do you want to know what Henry is yelling here? He is saying "If you don't plan to stay for 20, GO NOW!!!"

Nope, the fault lies with me. My apologies for my brusk post. As others have done, feel free to pm me with specific questions about UAL. Happy to help out.

Military pilots that aren't discrete about dropping mil leave need to grow up and be adults. But it comes down to educating civilian background pilots that are ignorant of the overall situation. Today... with the exception of some Guardsmen/Reservists... the vast majority of military pilots are unable to get started with an airline before the age of 33. Civilian pilots get hired up to 10 years younger than that. Those complaining civilian pilots... and by my observations, they are a very small group... need to stop and look at the top 5% of the seniority list at the major airlines. A disproportionately tiny percentage of those pilots are military background... e.g. nearly all of the most senior pilots are from civilian backgrounds. Are the military pilots being cheated? Uh, no. But the nature or the beast is such that seniority lists favor civilian backgrounds. When these complaining civilians were hired at age 23-31, many said they "hit the lottery" by getting hired at their dream airline. So I ask them, "Why do you care if a pilot goes on mil leave? Military pilots taking 5 years of leave doesn't negatively affect you." - If they're senior to you, it's one less person to bid against for trips and vacation for 5 years. - And if they are junior to you, what do you care? They're junior to you... so is there a problem?? My bud just got hired by UAL less than a year ago. He's 49. Last week, I was on the jumpseat of a 777 and the captain was 50. I looked him up and he was hired at age 23. When he retires, he will be the #3 pilot at United. Two guys nearly the same age. But how do you think their wages and QOL potential will compare to each other in the year 2025? Each path (civ and mil) to the airlines has its pros and cons. Once you're there, work hard to maximize your QOL based on your circumstances. The seniority list is set in stone. And USERRA is a law. So control what you can, and don't be the miserable SOB that no one likes to fly with because someone else "got a better deal".

Misunderstanding on my part it seems. Yes, certainly apply to more than just the Big 6 if you're willing to go there. Even if uncertain you want to work for a Regional, consider applying because you will likely get called ASAP, and the interview experience could be helpful. What got my attention was your statement that you would turn someone down while waiting for a better option. I don't believe you should do that. If a company offers you a job after your interview, continue down the path with them. You might get trained and fly for them for a few months... and then lo and behold, a better option is offered to you. Now you can make your decision. I know plenty of people recently that were given a job offer... accepted it... and before they even showed up for training, they got another job offer from a company higher on their list. Bottom line: many here will tell you not to turn down an offer. I believe that is good advice. Better to have a paycheck rolling in while you continue to strive for a better job with better wages and working conditions. Turning down choices # 5, and 6 and staying unemployed while you wait for choice #1 will not earn you the sympathy of your colleagues. Nor your wife.

You're shitting me, right? If you get an interview offer from one of the Big 6, you take it.

Because they can't. And they perceive it as a good deal.

Not true! It has NOTHING to do with "lowering standards". Just ask "management".

Thanks to all of you. 👏

SFO and EWR are givens as they are very junior, and are in every class drop. I've never heard of CLE going to a new hire. Next month will see the first 777 and 787 new hires. Unprecedented at UAL.

I'm just curious... When I went to UPT, we did a winging ceremony on Friday in the base theater with family, and a mess dress dinner at the Club. It was a large time. I've heard that has changed quite a bit. What is being done now for UPT graduation? And how did it look 2 years ago before the Wu-Flu changed things? (I asked this elsewhere but no reply.)

I'm just curious... When I went to UPT, we did a winging ceremony on Friday in the base theater with family, and a mess dress dinner at the Club. It was a large time. I've heard that has changed quite a bit. What is being done now for UPT graduation? And how did it look 2 years ago before the Wu-Flu changed things?

R.I.P, Hannes. 🍻

Tatertots, Your question is simply too vague WRT UAL IAH movement. Do you want to know how quick you can get off of reserve on a NB? Or how quick you can get to 25% or better on a NB fleet? Or how quick you can get to WB reserve? Or how quick to get to NB Captain? I know I'm not answering your question. But it really depends on what you're trying to do. Also... based on my amazingly messed up airline career... whatever answers you get will likely change dramatically within the next 24 months. Good luck!!

Bud of mine (who used to be on here) went to fly the T-45 as a Navy Reservist and really enjoyed it.

Haha! As the card carrying "Boomer" that I am, you'd be proud to know that I'm on Mattermost... and have embraced it!... along with the rest of my squadron.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Nah... I have ram dumped that portion of my life and strive to never remember it, save for a few people I got to know.

Stating or writing the name of that MWS should be penalized with a keg to the bar or a head-shave.

At least the pilot retention problem will be offset by the massive increase in military readiness we will obtain, thanks to the vaccine mandate/purge along with mandatory mask wear.

I'd say there's a strong chance of it. If I do, most likely static display of a rare airplane.

Shaft, If allowed, you should post some more pics... assuming you have them.

Shaft is the only person I know that got to "real world drop live" on his old AFB. Pretty cool. I tee'd it up for Beale Public Affairs to run a good story on it... but nothing was ever done.

Thunderbirds 2023 schedule was released at ICAS this week. https://www.newsairshow.com/headlines/2021/12/6/thunderbirds-announce-preliminary-2023-schedule