Originally Posted by
ShotOne
I'm not clear why anyone would follow the career path you suggest. Moving to Air Tanker or FR from the left seat of most airlines would involve a major drop in pay and conditions
Exactly, as someone who did military flying (FJ) and now does civil flying with an airline I agree.
To the OP, 7779:
You'll never beat proper military flying for the "buzz" and satisfaction but unless one of these MOD jobs is the only option post ATPL, or sadly you end up being laid off by an airline in the future, I'd say planning to go from line airline flying to flying a biz jet or an A3xx for MOD could a risky long term career move for I assume a relative youngster.
Given how airlines promote, hire/fire, pay scales, i.e. the dreaded seniority system that most still employ IMHO you would be very very badly advised to voluntarily leave a good airline job, even as a new P2, simply to satisfy the urge to fly something military'ish.