� Q: I’m trying to decide whether to accept a position with the U.S. Air Force Reserve Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program or apply to the regionals. I am an 1,800-hour CFII MEI with a bachelor of science degree in finance and making $20,000 per year instructing and flying skydivers. My goal is to find my way to the majors and I am wondering if spending the next couple of years as a regional first officer and building time there would be more valuable than USAF training as a C-130/C-17 pilot.—Robert A.
� A: Oh, boy, that is a tough one. Consider the pros and cons. Let’s presume you have the mental and physical aptitude to pass the rigorous testing that aspiring military aviators must endure. Now, imagine acquiring a significant amount of top-notch flying experience at no cost to you. Imagine always remaining in the top tier of desirable pilot candidates, whether applying for an airline or corporate flying career. Imagine never having to exist on regional airline pilot wages. At the least you would start out at about $33,000 annually but could progress to a six-figure annual salary.
Now the downsides: a substantial commitment of nearly 10 years; the possibility of numerous relocations throughout your career, requiring uprooting of family; being deployed to unsavory parts of the planet; becoming obsolete. With the ever-increasing role of drones, it has been said that the last fighter pilot was born years ago.
Next, consider the upsides of being a new regional airline pilot. Frankly, there are more than a few who say the upsides begin when upgrading to captain when, after five years or more, the pay and schedule are fairly decent. Until then, it can be a struggle with low pay, long hours, and living out of a suitcase. The sacrifices of those first years as a regional pilot hopefully will result in a $75,000 salary as a captain or, better yet, put you on the road to the major airlines and a salary in the mid-$100,000 range.
Of course, as an Air Force pilot you can skip the regional airline path and go from making a good living as a military aviator to an even better living at the majors. Tough choice! Talk with everyone who means anything to you to help form one of the most important decisions of your life.
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