New to the board and asking for help...

[Flight81]

Well, here is my story. I'm in AFROTC right now and am looking for a pilot slot. The thing is, I will be medically DQ'd, which means no pilot slot. I was planning on flying for the Air Force and later coming out and trying to get on with an airline. So what to do? I have a PPL (just got it last week) but since I'm a single parent and full-time student I can't fly as much as I'd like. What I'm debating here is going into the Air Force for 4 years doing some job I don't like, but making money to pay off school loans and have money to fly with, or get out while I can, finish college and take out more loans to go to one of these flight schools and get some multi time and flight instruct for awhile and wait my turn to get hired by a regional. I guess my main question is, in the long run, how much is that 4 years in the military gonna hurt me as far as senority at a company? I'm only 24 and I'll be graduating next year, so I still have time to figure this out. Hopefully I was clear with everything..Thanks for any help.

[slamma1906]

If I could do it all over again, I would try to SAVE SAVE as much $$ as I could have. Look for QOL in the near future, and think of where you want to be in the next 4yrs

[Windchill]

Welcome to Jetcareers!

I myself had a UPT slot with the Air Force, to fly the C-5 Galaxy for my ANG unit. "Had" being the operative word because I was medically DQ'd for a simple lazy eye. It sucks! Flying for the Air Force was the ultimate for me ... while I'd like to fly for the airlines one day, I would have been fine if I flew with the USAF never to fly for the airlines.

As a parent (and I'm not trying to play parent), but as a parent your first responsibility is to make sure your kid is taken care of, well before chasing your dreams. If you can more than afford to take care of your kid and pursue the civilian training, then go for it.

My two cents would be to go into the Air Force flying a desk for four years. I can't see much sense in taking out more and more loans when you're starting out and taking care of another. Between base pay as an officer, Housing allowance as an officer, Subsistence allowance too, you should be able to live comfortably and save some money while paying off loans. Heck, won't the Air Force cover your college if you stay in ROTC and go onto Active Duty?

You're young and have time ... build a solid foundation, financially and living-wise before venturing out toward more loans and flight training.

Again, to each their own and this is simply my advice for what value it may or may not have.

[Windchill]

[ QUOTE ]
If I could do it all over again, I would try to SAVE SAVE as much $$ as I could have. Look for QOL in the near future, and think of where you want to be in the next 4yrs

[/ QUOTE ]

When we found out we were pregnant, I told my wife if the UPT slot for the Air Force fell through, I wouldn't pursue the loans and hot pursuit of training toward flying for the airlines.

I decided this because growing up I've always envisioned a quality of life when children entered the picture with the house, career, and personal hobbies while enjoying life as a father. Flying for the Air Force was the one goal I would still pursue even with children in the picture though.

With that gone, I look forward to finding a suitable career that provides for my family while being able to continue my hobbies, which includes flying recreationally and maybe one day owning a family plane for trips/vacations.

Others on here have decided to press on with the training and route to the airlines while having children, wanting to show their kids down the road they pressed on with their dreams despite the obstacles ... and I commend them for that. I have always believed in looking after number one and doing that which makes oneself happy.

For me, it's having a home to grow a family in. I'm presently slowly knocking out cross-countries enroute to an instrument rating as time/finances permit.

[flyover]

Windchill is making a lot of sense. For one thing 4 years will present a whole new picture of the industry. One thing sure is the next year or so ain't going to be pretty. I'd say ride it out, get your finances solid, then be in a position to see if the industry is on it's feet enough to provide a career. I think it will be more a case of people sliding backwards in the next few years than you losing seniority.

[kellwolf]

It really depends on your current financial situation. Oh, and don't believe all the glossy ads about "get hired now to get that seniority number." Personally, I'd rather sit reserve for two years and not owe anything than fly everyday but have 40% of my paycheck go to student loans. I really don't think the 4 years in the military can hurt you, and if you qualify for the GI Bill, you can use some of that $$$ at a Part 141 school to get your other ratings.