T-6 IP in the Reserves

[Smaggy]

Thinking about transitioning to the Reserves as an IP for the T6. In the application it states that if selected, instead of the traditional “1 weekend a month/ 2 weeks a year” as an AETC IP I would be required to work 6 days a month. Anyone currently an IP at a UPT base got any info on this? Also trying to work as an airline pilot as my full time but worried about the commute. For those of you in the airline industry how do you manage the commute? Thanks!

[brabus]

Do you live in base? If not, 100% flush this idea. 6 days/mo seems fairly standard in AFRC for flying jobs. Even the guard is getting to/at that point, depending on unit.

[nunya]

On 9/16/2024 at 9:09 PM, Smaggy said:

1 weekend a month/ 2 weeks a year

[Stoker]

If I recall correctly from talking to them a few months ago, they want one solid block a month, Sunday-Friday. Sunday and Friday are your travel days, they pay for airfare to the nearest commercial airport not that it helps much if you're attached to Del Rio. Expectations were to complete any CBTs on those travel days. Monday was a CT day, fly student sorties Tues-Thurs.

[hindsight2020]

On 9/19/2024 at 2:38 PM, Stoker said:

If I recall correctly from talking to them a few months ago, they want 

On the bolded, bit of a misnomer. You're just describing the 6-day bundle. The neophytes might misunderstand what you mean. That sequence is not a requirement, merely a TR preference given the exigencies of getting to/fro some of these garden spots. Think of it just like airline commuters: They want the least traveling cycles per capita compensation. As such, bundling works best. It is not the only way to do it however. The participation requirements are spelled out in the application packet. But that's legalese, the reality is a lot more fluid.

At the end of the day, this job is for those who like to fly upside down (T-1s AFRC spots are being slowly divested as we speak, TBD on full stop date) for uncle sugar when not doing their airline or whatever. It's not for everyone, just like the airlines.

The locations have always been stipulated, so I don't get the aggrievement over the knowns. We make Gumby out of the JTR, to get people to come here. Suffice to say not all AFRC/ANG units exhibit anywhere near that level of flexibility; geographically they just don't have to.  It's not complicated really. Don't look at a gift horse in the mouth type of thing.

 

Edited September 22 by hindsight2020

[Rated Flyer 4 Life]

I am considering this because of the type of flying and possible schedule flexibility…besides the commuting to Enid/Del Rio/Columbus…is Randolph an option? Are there any other requirements that haven’t been discussed? 

[hindsight2020]

Sure RND is an option, just not immediately for someone external to the 340th who isn't already a 559/560/435th line-cutter at the time of regAF separation. For everybody else, it's usually a "go put in your time at the salt mines" before the RND units give ya audience. Military 3-rules of life type of thing.

[Rated Flyer 4 Life]

How often are the units looking for Reserve IPs for T-6/T-38? Is it pretty competitive? 

[hindsight2020]

manning climate, and openings by proxy, is very unit location dependent. Doesn't take a genius to figure out which are which. As to competitiveness in the aggregate? Honestly it tracks pretty inversely proportial with airline hiring at the time.