Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

[di1630]

3rd year Delta (expect other majors to bump shortly) first officer pay will be ~$210,000 per year plus profit sharing + 401k.

I’d say the USAF has some problems coming up.




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[brabus]

It’s financially non-sensical by a long shot to stay in and bypass years of seniority. You have to value certain intrinsic/non-monetary things far more. Nothing wrong with that, just stay in with eyes wide open and understand the long lasting ramifications of your decision as a young O-4. 
 

Spoiler: You can hit all those things in the guard, so really there actually is only one logical choice! I kid…sort of.

Edited January 17, 2023 by brabus

[tac airlifter]

1 hour ago, brabus said:

It’s financially non-sensical by a long shot to stay in and bypass years of seniority. You have to value certain intrinsic/non-monetary things far more.

Totally agree.  When I was a captain the idea of flying airlines for $$ while my bros remained in the fight was unpalatable. Getting out in 2012 was the logical financial choice, but was not what I valued.  So I stayed, got to overload on war stuff, etc.  Right call for me.

Now war’s over and there’s not a single O6 job remotely appealing, but I’m very excited about the airline world!  It’s been eye-opening to see all the other aviation paths out there as I meet folks with radically different backgrounds.  It has validated my decision to stay AF when I did: I’d have been miserable watching the team collect scalps while I fretted about 401k options.  But now door A is closed so I’m moving on.

All that to say: military pilots are a special breed and I salute each of you.  Do AGR if that works (wouldn’t have for my niche world) or get out at initial ADSC if that’s your jam, or stay if you still love it despite the warts.  Regardless of the path you choose, I recommend enough self-reflection to have no regrets.  My only regret is taking the bonus.  The money seems appealing but it’s insignificant in the grand scheme of life; when you are ready to go you want the ability to go immediately.  

[Magnum]

On 1/17/2023 at 12:48 PM, di1630 said:

3rd year Delta (expect other majors to bump shortly) first officer pay will be ~$210,000 per year plus profit sharing + 401k.

I’d say the USAF has some problems coming up.




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Tech pay for a Viper IP in Tucson that sits alert starts at ~$205,000 + TSP match up to 5% + profit sharing at 69%. $4k/ year pay raises each year for the first 4 years then potential for annual bonuses after that. 

Never having to say "light chop, ladies and gentlemen, ahhhhhhh..." or tell a traveler where the nearest bathroom is in an airport you've never been to...priceless.

[HossHarris]

Pffft. We’ve been to all the airports. We know where the shitters are ….

Edited January 20, 2023 by HossHarris

[SocialD]

7 hours ago, Magnum said:

Tech pay for a Viper IP in Tucson that sits alert starts at ~$205,000 + TSP match up to 5% + profit sharing at 69%. $4k/ year pay raises each year for the first 4 years then potential for annual bonuses after that. 

Never having to say "light chop, ladies and gentlemen, ahhhhhhh..." or tell a traveler where the nearest bathroom is in an airport you've never been to...priceless.

 

 

You had me until you said "tech that sits alert."   Woof!

Edited January 20, 2023 by SocialD

[nunya]

On 1/20/2023 at 12:01 AM, Magnum said:

Tech pay for a Viper IP in Tucson that sits alert starts at ~$205,000 + TSP match up to 5% + profit sharing at 69%. $4k/ year pay raises each year for the first 4 years then potential for annual bonuses after that. 

Never having to say "light chop, ladies and gentlemen, ahhhhhhh..." or tell a traveler where the nearest bathroom is in an airport you've never been to...priceless.

I don’t disagree. Sounds like a great gig. Delta is hiring a couple hundred a month. AZANG? Lots of dudes will have to settle for Delta instead of GS-13.

[brabus]

55 minutes ago, nunya said:

Lots of dudes will have to settle for Delta instead of GS-13

Yes, “settle.” As a “169% sure I would never want to be a lame airline pilot” Capt, I’m here to say Capt me was horribly misinformed and misguided.

Based on my experience, lots of young Maj and earlier types think being a GS-13 flying fighters until 55 is the holy grail. Turns out only a few guys in the entire ARC think that way as they actually get older, and I’m glad to have the few that go that route and still contribute. Say all this to the younger guys - there’s about a 98% chance you will not feel that way after a year or two into the ARC, so plan accordingly for life after full time AF pilot. 

Edited January 21, 2023 by brabus

[di1630]

^^^ spot on. I did 21+ yrs AD and while I loved it, I now wish I had joined airlines sooner and done reserves.

I disregarded airline guys and now I’ve got a hint of jealousy for my old peers who played it smarter, still fly jets part time and earn $100k more per year working less.






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[brabus]

Also, a common misguidance is “well I just don’t need that much money.” Totally agree, but what you will value for sure is an exceptionally large increase in QOL (with ability to choose whenever you want to give up some off days to make all that money to pay cash for the kitchen remodel your wife wants). I significantly underestimated QOL gains, it’s a real thing that just can’t be realized until you break free of the only work life you’ve known since you were 18-22ish. 

[Danger41]

Thoughts on having AD retirement safety net instead of hustling ANG?

[Scooter14]

Thoughts on having AD retirement safety net instead of hustling ANG?

Who says you can’t have both?

Do your 11-12 years AD.

Join ARC unit.

Get hired by airline.

Drill with unit, go on a deployment or two, sit alert. Upgrade. Go to in residence PME. Whatever to mitigate first year pay and get orders. MEST, whatever.

Fly the line for year two at the airline. Continue to chip away at AD time until you’re close to or over the 15 year AD mark.

Seek out a temp AGR or ADOS tour. Flying, non-flying. Doesn’t matter. There’s a lot out there, especially if you’re willing to move. There’s probably a need at your own unit the way things are going now. If you’re willing to work and you have the qualifications they are willing to give you the chance.

Get to 20 active. It’ll probably take you 25 years of total service to make it happen. Go back to year 6-9 pay at your airline with an AD retirement safety net for the next economic downturn.







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[herkbum]

Who says you can’t have both?

Do your 11-12 years AD.

Join ARC unit.

Get hired by airline.

Drill with unit, go on a deployment or two, sit alert. Upgrade. Go to in residence PME. Whatever to mitigate first year pay and get orders. MEST, whatever.

Fly the line for year two at the airline. Continue to chip away at AD time until you’re close to or over the 15 year AD mark.

Seek out a temp AGR or ADOS tour. Flying, non-flying. Doesn’t matter. There’s a lot out there, especially if you’re willing to move. There’s probably a need at your own unit the way things are going now. If you’re willing to work and you have the qualifications they are willing to give you the chance.

Get to 20 active. It’ll probably take you 25 years of total service to make it happen. Go back to year 6-9 pay at your airline with an AD retirement safety net for the next economic downturn.







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Congrats on getting into the check of the month club!


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[Scooter14]

Congrats on getting into the check of the month club!


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11 more days brother! Thanks!


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[ATIS]

14 hours ago, Scooter14 said:

 

Who says you can’t have both?

Do your 11-12 years AD.

Join ARC unit.

Get hired by airline.

Drill with unit, go on a deployment or two, sit alert. Upgrade. Go to in residence PME. Whatever to mitigate first year pay and get orders. MEST, whatever.

Fly the line for year two at the airline. Continue to chip away at AD time until you’re close to or over the 15 year AD mark.

Seek out a temp AGR or ADOS tour. Flying, non-flying. Doesn’t matter. There’s a lot out there, especially if you’re willing to move. There’s probably a need at your own unit the way things are going now. If you’re willing to work and you have the qualifications they are willing to give you the chance.

Get to 20 active. It’ll probably take you 25 years of total service to make it happen. Go back to year 6-9 pay at your airline with an AD retirement safety net for the next economic downturn.







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You forgot to mention “hang out with cool USN and USMC buds in the CAOC”.  
ATIS 

[Scooter14]

You forgot to mention “hang out with cool USN and USMC buds in the CAOC”.  
ATIS 

Do I get joint credit for that?

It’s funny, two of the last sets of orders I took brought me to AOCs (607 and 609) and both of them allowed me to have a beer with people from this community.

Just another reason to put yourself out there and find something out of the ordinary to participate in.







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[ATIS]

1 hour ago, Scooter14 said:

 

Do I get joint credit for that?

It’s funny, two of the last sets of orders I took brought me to AOCs (607 and 609) and both of them allowed me to have a beer with people from this community.

Just another reason to put yourself out there and find something out of the ordinary to participate in.







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No Joint Credit, just bragging rights and a place in DC to crash and drink beer whenever you are in town. 
 

ATIS

[bcuziknow]

5 hours ago, ATIS said:

You forgot to mention “hang out with cool USN and USMC buds in the CAOC”.  
ATIS 

As well as promote 1 or 2 times again!

[SocialD]

18 hours ago, brabus said:

Also, a common misguidance is “well I just don’t need that much money.” Totally agree, but what you will value for sure is an exceptionally large increase in QOL (with ability to choose whenever you want to give up some off days to make all that money to pay cash for the kitchen remodel your wife wants). I significantly underestimated QOL gains, it’s a real thing that just can’t be realized until you break free of the only work life you’ve known since you were 18-22ish. 

 

This has been a pretty common misconception by many of my squadron mates.  The only ones who come back on orders, are the guys who are within 5 years of their 20.  The rest have gotten a taste of the QOL and are now DSGs for life.  It's funny is seeing the "I'm never going to the airline" types, especially the ones who gave airline guys shit, who are now DSG for life because of how good the QOL is for them.

 

Unfortunately, I had to go on orders in early December and I forgot how bad being full time sucks.  I've worked more in the last two months than I did in the last 5 months of 2022 at Delta...never mind the massive pay hit.  I guess if all I did was show up, fly and go home, it wouldn't be terrible.  But I don't think people realize how much of life in the military is fighting one self-imposed (by the AF) roadblock after another.  It's completely maddening and what makes me dread getting up and going to work almost every day right now.  It's something you don't grasp until you have a job where all you have to do is fly and you're not constantly fighting just to get basic shit done.  Then the huge added benefit is that you don't take work home with you!  The end of these orders can't get here fast enough!

 

16 hours ago, Danger41 said:

Thoughts on having AD retirement safety net instead of hustling ANG?

 

 

I'm nothing close to a weapons officer, but "it depends..."  My recommendation to all our young guys is that if you even think you may to the airlines at some point, I'd get hired ASAP because seniority is everything.  If you're within 5 years of a 20 year retirement, depending on how far you'll go for orders, then I'd imagine it wouldn't be all that hard to get to 20 while out on MLOA.  Lots of orders floating around the system...ask Brabus

[FourFans]

1 hour ago, SocialD said:

If you're within 5 years of a 20 year retirement, depending on how far you'll go for orders, then I'd imagine it wouldn't be all that hard to get to 20 while out on MLOA.  Lots of orders floating around the system...ask Brabus

...from a completely different perspective: I punched from AD at 17 years and am about to finish my 3rd good year in the AFRC.  I AM NOT GOING ON ORDERS.  I just rolled into year two at my major airline, and you would have to throw 7-figures+ a year at me to get me to go active for 3 more years.  The BS level is simply not worth it, and the arithmetic is a wash on that active retirement.

[herkbum]

Do I get joint credit for that?

It’s funny, two of the last sets of orders I took brought me to AOCs (607 and 609) and both of them allowed me to have a beer with people from this community.

Just another reason to put yourself out there and find something out of the ordinary to participate in.







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Not to mention great midnight chow friends while “slaving away” at an Osan exercise!!


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[FLEA]

8 minutes ago, herkbum said:

Not to mention great midnight chow friends while “slaving away” at an Osan exercise!!


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Dude Checkertails at 2am during exercise weeks is some of the best memories I have in my life. That shit was awesome. 

 

[BroncoEN]

Seems that April is the approximate date for the bonus announcement. Is ANG the same? Pondering AGR orders if a nice bonus is associated, just no idea the timeline when the bonus will be announced after this new NDAA

[brabus]

11 hours ago, BroncoEN said:

Seems that April is the approximate date for the bonus announcement. Is ANG the same? Pondering AGR orders if a nice bonus is associated, just no idea the timeline when the bonus will be announced after this new NDAA

ANG usually is around that time, but never seems to be exactly coincident with AD. Do you have a line number!?

[SocialD]

12 hours ago, BroncoEN said:

Seems that April is the approximate date for the bonus announcement. Is ANG the same? Pondering AGR orders if a nice bonus is associated, just no idea the timeline when the bonus will be announced after this new NDAA

 

 

Do yourself a favor and stop pondering...