Join BA or RAF ?
Guest
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Join BA or RAF ?
If you had the choice (as I do) of starting a career as a pilot with British Airways or the Royal Air Force, Which would you choose ?
Is BA too boring ?
Does the RAF take too much out of you ?
Is BA good for family life ?
I'd love to hear from FJ mates, BA pilots and especially people who have done both.
Is BA too boring ?
Does the RAF take too much out of you ?
Is BA good for family life ?
I'd love to hear from FJ mates, BA pilots and especially people who have done both.
Guest
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Mate,do RAF.
1. You'll have a whole world of fun, whether it be FJ, RW, or ME.
2. You won't get to gouge around in a shiny aluminium pursuit ship anywhere else.
3. You can do BA later, but not the other way round.
4. People do gripe, but they do in all walks of life.
You won't regret it,
Regards
AV8-OR
1. You'll have a whole world of fun, whether it be FJ, RW, or ME.
2. You won't get to gouge around in a shiny aluminium pursuit ship anywhere else.
3. You can do BA later, but not the other way round.
4. People do gripe, but they do in all walks of life.
You won't regret it,
Regards
AV8-OR
Guest
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AV8-OR is absolutely right.
Enjoy probably the best flying available while you are young, with few responsibilities. (But don't forget you are being paid to put your ass on the line should Tony's cronies so decide.)
Leave early, and reap the not insignificant rewards of an airline career.
However, when/if you get to BA, do us all a favour, and don't try to make a case for enhanced seniority due to your military service. It ALWAYS sounds pathetic, and the choice was yours.
Good luck.
[This message has been edited by Tandemrotor (edited 15 September 2000).]
Enjoy probably the best flying available while you are young, with few responsibilities. (But don't forget you are being paid to put your ass on the line should Tony's cronies so decide.)
Leave early, and reap the not insignificant rewards of an airline career.
However, when/if you get to BA, do us all a favour, and don't try to make a case for enhanced seniority due to your military service. It ALWAYS sounds pathetic, and the choice was yours.
Good luck.
[This message has been edited by Tandemrotor (edited 15 September 2000).]
Guest
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RAF first then BA or any airline later.
I doubt if any ex RAF types really
regret it.
Military flying is easily the most interesting
flying you will ever do. After several interesting
and even fun years you will become disenchanted
and leave, seeing out the rest of your career
flying shiny jets and nostalgically recounting
your adventures to bored colleagues in the
airline of your choice.
By the way I hate you, imagine having a
choice of the RAF or BA. I am insanely
jealous.
Anyway, good luck, either choice is great.
I doubt if any ex RAF types really
regret it.
Military flying is easily the most interesting
flying you will ever do. After several interesting
and even fun years you will become disenchanted
and leave, seeing out the rest of your career
flying shiny jets and nostalgically recounting
your adventures to bored colleagues in the
airline of your choice.
By the way I hate you, imagine having a
choice of the RAF or BA. I am insanely
jealous.
Anyway, good luck, either choice is great.
Guest
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The position you are in is an enviable one....however, I would encourage anyone to have a bash at the military side of things first - purely in flying terms. There is a lot to be said for flying in the Air Force - the attributes are well documented on this forum (as are the disadvantages) but, and this really is a F****ing big but, the commitment has got to be there to succeed. Unless you are prepared to put up with bucketloads of cak to reap the rewards of OLF (Operational Low Flying) or such like, then don't bother. If you do decide to take the Queen's shilling (and that's not such a bad deal, financially) remember that you can always transfer to the airlines later.
I've had 12 years of wonderful flying (with associated ups and downs like any job) and am leaving in the not-too-distant future with no regrets as I feel that I've given as much as I have taken (lots in other words). The Air Force is a fantastic environment to learn and practice your trade, but it is a two way street....one day the country may ask you to do your job for real - will you be able to do it? If so, RAF first, Airbus second - if not, Airbus!
I've had 12 years of wonderful flying (with associated ups and downs like any job) and am leaving in the not-too-distant future with no regrets as I feel that I've given as much as I have taken (lots in other words). The Air Force is a fantastic environment to learn and practice your trade, but it is a two way street....one day the country may ask you to do your job for real - will you be able to do it? If so, RAF first, Airbus second - if not, Airbus!
Guest
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The RAF is not the only place you can fly the pointy nosed hadware, don't forget the good old Navy. Flying a fast jet is the best fun you can have and doing it off a ship will test you and reward you beyond your imagination. I've done it for 20 years and I'd start again tomorrow (if I didn't have grey hair!). Go for it!
Guest
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I got offered both back in 1989, and took BA, after a very agonising decision-process. I was right on the upper age limit for the RAF (even negotiated an exemption to finish my degree); my decision most probably would have been different had I been in the bright flush of those teenage years.
I don't regret it. It would have been really sweet to have flown something pointy and fast, ( it might have been blunt and slow as well, remember) but I've had a great time in the airline world. BA are a very good employer, despite the grumbling from the pews!
Good luck. Only you can decide, and you are doing the right thing getting opinions.
I don't regret it. It would have been really sweet to have flown something pointy and fast, ( it might have been blunt and slow as well, remember) but I've had a great time in the airline world. BA are a very good employer, despite the grumbling from the pews!
Good luck. Only you can decide, and you are doing the right thing getting opinions.
Guest
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TandemRotor, no problem....
Had there been a cast-iron guarantee that I would have been succesful on fast-jets, that may have tipped the balance; totally impossible to give, of course. It had been pointed out to me at interview, (twice, once with the uni. liason officer, and again at Biggin Hill) that at the relatively ancient age of 23.5 I would have to consider ending up in Transport Command as a strong possibility.
Also, I wanted to fly more than I wanted the role of Military Officer, which should also be a consideration, I feel. My backround was in and around the music business, too, which as a commercial pilot I have been able to keep in touch with; the military would have made that impossible.
The reference to blunt and slow was merely intended to point out that it is not all fast jets. :-) No offence intended, if you inferred any.
Sooo, had MY circumstances been different, my decision may have been different. Had I been 17 at the time, or from a Military background, or solely wanted nothing else in life than to fly fast-jets, that would have swayed the balance. Too many variables to give a simple answer, but I'm happy with it, and thoroughly enjoy my job today.
(Would have been nice, however.......)
[This message has been edited by Professor Longhair (edited 16 September 2000).]
Had there been a cast-iron guarantee that I would have been succesful on fast-jets, that may have tipped the balance; totally impossible to give, of course. It had been pointed out to me at interview, (twice, once with the uni. liason officer, and again at Biggin Hill) that at the relatively ancient age of 23.5 I would have to consider ending up in Transport Command as a strong possibility.
Also, I wanted to fly more than I wanted the role of Military Officer, which should also be a consideration, I feel. My backround was in and around the music business, too, which as a commercial pilot I have been able to keep in touch with; the military would have made that impossible.
The reference to blunt and slow was merely intended to point out that it is not all fast jets. :-) No offence intended, if you inferred any.
Sooo, had MY circumstances been different, my decision may have been different. Had I been 17 at the time, or from a Military background, or solely wanted nothing else in life than to fly fast-jets, that would have swayed the balance. Too many variables to give a simple answer, but I'm happy with it, and thoroughly enjoy my job today.
(Would have been nice, however.......)
[This message has been edited by Professor Longhair (edited 16 September 2000).]
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RAF for all the reasons given above and plenty more.
However, I am not absolutely certain if you are trying to choose between two actual job offers or two routes of application for training?
If both have offered to train you than go back to line one above (and many congrats BTW)
BUT just in case you are trying to make your mind up who to apply to for possible training then don’t let the RAF even THINK you would consider an airline career.
So far as the actual flying training content is concerned there can be no real comparison between the two routes. By the time you reach your first squadron the military will probably have spent £2M on you. Whereas it will probably cost BA £150K tops to put you in your first right hand seat with pax.
JF
However, I am not absolutely certain if you are trying to choose between two actual job offers or two routes of application for training?
If both have offered to train you than go back to line one above (and many congrats BTW)
BUT just in case you are trying to make your mind up who to apply to for possible training then don’t let the RAF even THINK you would consider an airline career.
So far as the actual flying training content is concerned there can be no real comparison between the two routes. By the time you reach your first squadron the military will probably have spent £2M on you. Whereas it will probably cost BA £150K tops to put you in your first right hand seat with pax.
JF
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The above have made some good points. The question you need to ask yourself is "where do I want to be in 10 years?" Personally, I never had the option you do, but after an Airforce career (not RAF but close) and now flying for a major Airline (not BA, beter) I have realised the following. My best mates, best flying, most fun are all Airforce related. Job security and career wise you can't beat a major Airline.
You will be making a sacrifice one way or the other. If you go RAF you lose on BA seniority, and believe me in an airline seniority is EVERTHING. If you go BA you will lose on the best years of your life.......
Best of luck.
----------
Happiness is low-level 500 kts
You will be making a sacrifice one way or the other. If you go RAF you lose on BA seniority, and believe me in an airline seniority is EVERTHING. If you go BA you will lose on the best years of your life.......
Best of luck.
----------
Happiness is low-level 500 kts
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When I got the bug, never even considered airlines as the way to go flying.
I thought, rightly or wrongly, that flying was about freedom, and, despite the many regs, you have a heck load more freedom flying in the military.
Go mil and enjoy.
Good luck and don't mention to anybody that you even considered airlines. You can go airlines when the mil flying has frightened you fartless and you hanker to drive a bus full of Trolly Dollies.
Remember, women are OK, but you can't beat the real thing....
I thought, rightly or wrongly, that flying was about freedom, and, despite the many regs, you have a heck load more freedom flying in the military.
Go mil and enjoy.
Good luck and don't mention to anybody that you even considered airlines. You can go airlines when the mil flying has frightened you fartless and you hanker to drive a bus full of Trolly Dollies.
Remember, women are OK, but you can't beat the real thing....
Guest
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RAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAF RAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAF RAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAF RAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAF RAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAF RAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAF RAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAFRAF
Hope I made that clear.
Try making a comparison between driving and flying. You can either:
a) Drive a large bus along a pre-determined route, letting the computer do 99% of everything for you, dependant upon a ground crew who fell into their job because they didn't try hard at school - and that hate you for being better than them; or
b) Drive an F1 racing car around a difficult and taxing circuit at stupid speeds, supported by a pit crew made up of the most skilled people in the profession willing you to suceed.
Obviously the bus driver doesn't endanger his life every day, and has a little more job security/seniority. But honestly, which would you prefer?
Plus, imagine the situation in a bar:
"Hi! I work for BA"
"Hi! I'm a fast-jet fighter pilot".
Which one would the girlies flock around?
I was on my way back from Corfu yesterday AM, and saw a pilot and FO in the duty free shop. They looked pissed off and bored, and were buying pointless prezzies for wifeys. At the same time I knew that every military pilot in the UK would still be in the mess in No 5s, burning pianos and downing port in memory of the Battle of Britain.
Once more, which would you prefer???
Yakkers
Hope I made that clear.
Try making a comparison between driving and flying. You can either:
a) Drive a large bus along a pre-determined route, letting the computer do 99% of everything for you, dependant upon a ground crew who fell into their job because they didn't try hard at school - and that hate you for being better than them; or
b) Drive an F1 racing car around a difficult and taxing circuit at stupid speeds, supported by a pit crew made up of the most skilled people in the profession willing you to suceed.
Obviously the bus driver doesn't endanger his life every day, and has a little more job security/seniority. But honestly, which would you prefer?
Plus, imagine the situation in a bar:
"Hi! I work for BA"
"Hi! I'm a fast-jet fighter pilot".
Which one would the girlies flock around?
I was on my way back from Corfu yesterday AM, and saw a pilot and FO in the duty free shop. They looked pissed off and bored, and were buying pointless prezzies for wifeys. At the same time I knew that every military pilot in the UK would still be in the mess in No 5s, burning pianos and downing port in memory of the Battle of Britain.
Once more, which would you prefer???
Yakkers
Guest
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RAF
then airlines
(and if you still want to flash around the sky in a wee pocket rocket: yoyo-ing on passing bogeys, you'll be able to afford to buy your own and take it out to play at w/e's and days off).
I have never laughed or cried as much as when I was in, and I left 18 years ago!
sNr
then airlines
(and if you still want to flash around the sky in a wee pocket rocket: yoyo-ing on passing bogeys, you'll be able to afford to buy your own and take it out to play at w/e's and days off).
I have never laughed or cried as much as when I was in, and I left 18 years ago!
sNr
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I was indeed there Yakkers on Saturday am in No5s drinking, well what ever was left, and it was a supherb nite (thanks PMC if you see this, the official letter is on the way).
RAF first! I am still not convinced that I want to leave, particularly after a night like that. I just don't think the arilines can even begin to match a good mess night. I have not flown fast jets as such (though I did beat three F3s back from Iceland a few years ago, the old Vicky 10 is still pretty quick) and I certainly haven't flown anything new (though that is about to change as well) but I would not change anything I have done so far cause I have had a ball.
Yeah, life is s***e sometimes and the jets keep breaking, but mil flying is fun challenging and always different. The training is second to none (at the moment, lets hope they don't civilianise anymore) and the people are generaly fantastic.
So go for it!
[This message has been edited by Tonkenna (edited 17 September 2000).]
RAF first! I am still not convinced that I want to leave, particularly after a night like that. I just don't think the arilines can even begin to match a good mess night. I have not flown fast jets as such (though I did beat three F3s back from Iceland a few years ago, the old Vicky 10 is still pretty quick) and I certainly haven't flown anything new (though that is about to change as well) but I would not change anything I have done so far cause I have had a ball.
Yeah, life is s***e sometimes and the jets keep breaking, but mil flying is fun challenging and always different. The training is second to none (at the moment, lets hope they don't civilianise anymore) and the people are generaly fantastic.
So go for it!
[This message has been edited by Tonkenna (edited 17 September 2000).]