Lately I have been getting flak for not joining the military and flying for them and then going to the airlines. My dad did 22 years in the Marine Corps and I have experienced the good of being able to sit in and be around military aircraft.The bad of my dad being on rotations of 6 months on and off to Iraq, Kuwait, and other countries. And the ugly of the overall QOL of a Devil Dog. Now after saying this let me say that I am fortunate enough for my dad to be heavily involved in my life during the times that he was home.
One of the ways he would do this is by taking me to work with him. As mentioned before I had really close interactions with aircraft and the pilots that flew them (most of them still keep in contact with me to this day). But after growing up as a military brat and being able to get “VIP” access to the inside of military life as an active duty soldier, I realized that it wasn’t for me. People say that I am stupid not to go to the military and fly or that I’m just going to be a civilian which is used by them in a degrading way by them. I don’t let this stuff get to my head because I am comfortable in my decisions and I spent years planning and asking for advice from both military and airline pilots (former military) on my path to the airlines. I am fully aware of the 8-10 year commitment after winging, only flying about 10-12 hours a month while spending most of your time on the ground fulfilling a “ground duty” (also making sure that the popcorn machine in the ready room is filled with jalapeno popcorn ) , and the fact that the older you get the less you fly. Not to mention the amount of time away from family. I know that I’ll spend time away from family as an airline pilot so that’s not the main reason why I didn’t choose the military route, but its 18 days a month vs 6 months plus weeks training on the boat. My dad says that the he didn’t mind me joining the military as long as it is to serve my country and not just use it as a way of free flight training and a “guaranteed” way to the majors. The CO of the last squadron my dad was at who was preparing to go to the airlines said something to me that really made a lot of sense. He said, “I have seen many military aviators strive to go to the airlines but no airline pilot strive to go fly for the military.” In the same conversation he also told me that if he could do it again he wouldn’t change a thing but why would someone waste 10-12 years (including contract and flight training) just to get to the airlines when you could train as a civi and make it to Part 121 operations in 3-6 years. I said all of this to ask these questions. Do airline pilots that didn’t fly for the military get a lot of flak as well? How many military pilots do you all know? Sorry for the super long read just to ask two questions. Hopefully I formatted it in a way where it is bearable to read. Thanks
Most pilots these days do not have military backgrounds. Here’s a graph for perspective. Take note of the description at the bottom. This graph includes all US pilots, not just airline pilots.
From my experience, everyone I fly with comes from very different backgrounds. What matters most is that you do a good job at whatever you’re currently doing. You could be the best (fill in the blank) pilot that ever lived, but the past is the past. We live in the present. Pilots should be focused on being the best pilot they can be in the present, and more importantly be humble about it. Flying for the military does not automatically make you a superior aviator among your airline buddies. That’s a common misconception.
I fly for Hawaiian and am based in HNL. I don’t have the figures in front of me but Hawaiian has the highest percent of former and current military pilots of any airline in the US (due in part to the state having the highest percent of military population). Even with that they’re the minority.
Further while I have tremendous respect for those who have served, I have to tell you skill wise some are awesome and some are less than awesome. Regardless, as Tory said there is no bias I’ve ever seen or experienced.
Anyone who gives you crap for not joining the military has their own issues to sort out. I sell service in uniform to all young people for many reasons, but I always tell them that bottom-line - the sacrifices are real (as you are well aware as a seasoned military family member) and must make sense to you and fit with your plans for your life.
Being a military aviator is one path to a career in aviation, but it is not the only one and I would argue that one could easily make the case that it is not financially the smartest path, and if getting lots time in the air is a goal for you that might not happen either. I can tell you there are many pilots I know who, after reaching O-4 are doing way more administrative stuff and a lot less flying than they imagined they’d be doing.
Have you thought about finishing a bachelors and joining the Reserves as an officer in a field other than aviation? You could serve for five or so years, feel that you’ve done your duty, while spending most of your young life building flight hours and seniority. Keep an open mind and GOOD LUCK!
I know plenty of pilots, both military and civilian. There are no negative feelings at all towards civilian pilots. The vast majority of pilots are civilians and quite honestly, I think they make better pilots than military pilots. Civilians tend to be smoother on the controls, display better situational awareness and be more customer focused. Also, there is a pretty good chance that you could get to the majors much faster going the civilian route than the military one.
The CO of your dad’s squadron had it exactly right, I have never once heard of a pilot leaving the airlines to join the military.
I can’t imagine why somebody would give you grief for not wanting to be in the military. It is a volunteer army, and accepts those that want to be part of it. There are plenty of other ways to give back to your country.
You are not the first to propose this idea to me. I have thought about being a “weekend warrior” there are a lot of guard/reserve squadrons down here in Florida. I am just focusing on trying to successfully get all my ratings in flight school. With that being said, I do have a plan but as you said I am kinda keeping an open mind along the way.
Thank you all for the replies. I’m already preparing myself for the Riddle jokes (even though I played the game well and am not going to spend more than 100k including flight training). If I had to deal with civil jokes too, I would’ve started thinking about getting into another career … Just kidding, my skin is a lot thicker than that.
) , and the fact that the older you get the less you fly. Not to mention the amount of time away from family. I know that I’ll spend time away from family as an airline pilot so that’s not the main reason why I didn’t choose the military route, but its 18 days a month vs 6 months plus weeks training on the boat. My dad says that the he didn’t mind me joining the military as long as it is to serve my country and not just use it as a way of free flight training and a “guaranteed” way to the majors. The CO of the last squadron my dad was at who was preparing to go to the airlines said something to me that really made a lot of sense. He said, “I have seen many military aviators strive to go to the airlines but no airline pilot strive to go fly for the military.” In the same conversation he also told me that if he could do it again he wouldn’t change a thing but why would someone waste 10-12 years (including contract and flight training) just to get to the airlines when you could train as a civi and make it to Part 121 operations in 3-6 years. I said all of this to ask these questions. Do airline pilots that didn’t fly for the military get a lot of flak as well? How many military pilots do you all know? Sorry for the super long read just to ask two questions. Hopefully I formatted it in a way where it is bearable to read. Thanks