Staying in the cockpit

[Whitman]

What percent of guys stay in the cockpit for entire 10yr flying committment?

[ 01. August 2006, 19:23: Message edited by: Toro ]

[Smokin]

Probably tough to find anything other than a WAG for a real percentage, but if you get an ops tour followed by a flying alpha tour (AETC) then back for another ops, you're at your ten years or pretty close.

[Moosepilot]

No one. People with the 10-year ADSC have only been out of pilot training for 6-7 years.

[Bergman]

100%....in the ANG!

[Guest SpectrePilot]

I'm at 11.5 and counting...

(Only had the 8 year commitment. Probably should've gone to fedex some time ago, but I'm still having a good time all-in-all.)

[Toro]

Originally posted by Moosepilot:

No one. People with the 10-year ADSC have only been out of pilot training for 6-7 years.

I know plenty of people who have done it; Most guys are pinning on major at the ten year point, which is when you're usually turning ripe for remote/staff assignments.

I had a FAIP tour, F-15E Ops tour, and am now in an instructor tour. I passed my 10 year ADSC last year.

[Guest admjh]

Safe&Clear's at 11.5 years and counting ... All other things being equal (and they never are), at what point does the lure of 20 years begin to outweigh the lure of FedEx?

[Hacker]

Originally posted by Toro:

I passed my 10 year ADSC last year.

How did you have a 10-year ADSC? You were one of my IPs, bro, and I only have an 8 year ADSC.

[Guest Rainman A-10]

Originally posted by Outsider:

at what point does the lure of 20 years begin to outweigh the lure of FedEx?

Day one for me.

[Moosepilot]

Some braniac did the math years ago, based on Airline pay scales from ARINC.

The calculations I saw (pre 9/11): You can leave the AF at 16 years and a few months and still come out "richer" with most major Airlines.

Many assumptions though:

- You invest everything above what your AF salary would have been

- Retire at 60 (mandatory for airlines--minus FE's

- If you had stayed,you took the bonus ($25K/year with the 20 year plan and half up front)

- Assumed 8% on your investments over your life.

- Did account for time value of money

Post 9/11 - Good luck, the airline industry is very volatile and airline retirements are not the same anymore. If I were gambling, I'd say you'd have to get out right at your commitment now and get hired by a major that never goes out of business to make the same amount of cash over your life in the AF (with the bonus)

I'm with Rainman A-10 though...day one.