Switching from Military to ME airline?
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Switching from Military to ME airline?
I was wondering how difficult it is to get onboard with one of the ME airlines like Emirates, Qatar, Ethiad etc.?
Currently making the choice to switch from the military to civilian as my Airforce is having a big reorganisation and I don't want to wait if I am still needed in 2 years from now.
At the moment I am flying as PIC on the C17 Globemaster. (I am Dutch by the way) the aircraft type I fly would probably indicate that I am US :-)
On the Emirates website I read that you need 2500 hrs on a modern commercial aircraft. I read this as that I can't apply because the C17 is not commercial. Is this correct? The other airlines seem ok to apply at although in the current market I can imagine that they rather take type rated guys.
What suggestions do any of you guys have on which airline to apply for.
I am slightly familiar with Dubai and surroundings because sometimes we crewrest there. (I know they check if you have porn on your computer
) But how is Doha for example? What place is good for a family with young children?
Thanks in advance
Currently making the choice to switch from the military to civilian as my Airforce is having a big reorganisation and I don't want to wait if I am still needed in 2 years from now.
At the moment I am flying as PIC on the C17 Globemaster. (I am Dutch by the way) the aircraft type I fly would probably indicate that I am US :-)
On the Emirates website I read that you need 2500 hrs on a modern commercial aircraft. I read this as that I can't apply because the C17 is not commercial. Is this correct? The other airlines seem ok to apply at although in the current market I can imagine that they rather take type rated guys.
What suggestions do any of you guys have on which airline to apply for.
I am slightly familiar with Dubai and surroundings because sometimes we crewrest there. (I know they check if you have porn on your computer
) But how is Doha for example? What place is good for a family with young children?Thanks in advance
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Switching from Military to ME airline?
I don't think you have to have type rated right away to be eligible. It s the globemaster for God's sake. If it s above 27K MTOW, why the hell not. I bet thst thing can haul more than that. You probably have a valid MCC, last I remember Qatar was hiring military pilots with MCC. They were asking for minimum 1000 fighter hours or 2000plus ME. It s us fighter jocks that are to worry before the leap. You should have no problem. I say get your ATPL, I bet you already have one flying as PIC and apply for one of them Middle East liners. Go through the hiring process. If they say yes, then get out and never look back. I don't understand the commercial witkd's infatuation with having a type rating. What s there to be type rated on? All automation , it s all office flying. With our military flying skills, we have no problem at all. But different mechanics is at play here. Pure economics.
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It s us fighter jocks that are to worry before the leap. You should have no problem. I say get your ATPL, I bet you already have one flying as PIC and apply for one of them Middle East liners. Go through the hiring process. If they say yes, then get out and never look back. I don't understand the commercial witkd's infatuation with having a type rating. What s there to be type rated on? All automation , it s all office flying. With our military flying skills, we have no problem at all. But different mechanics is at play here. Pure economics.
Viper,
Ill have what you're having or smoking,whatever
Last edited by de facto; 1st Mar 2013 at 13:33.
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Thanks Viperburns.
Yes I have ATPL and MCC so thats not the problem. Was just wondering how things are down there. Did you go to Sheppard for training or did you train in Turkey?
Yes I have ATPL and MCC so thats not the problem. Was just wondering how things are down there. Did you go to Sheppard for training or did you train in Turkey?
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I'm based a little bit to the west of your target area (no pun intended) but for us military time is not acceptable, a guy with 1500 hrs in a Cessna 150 will get accepted before someone with 1500 in an F15.....
Stupid, but true...
Mutt
Stupid, but true...
Mutt
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Thanks for the input guys.
How is living in the ME? I am planning on visiting UAE and Qatar later this year and make up my mind then to send my resume to a couple of companies down there.
And Mutt I have some C172 time, can I get into your company? :-)
How far west are you? Saudi or further?
How is living in the ME? I am planning on visiting UAE and Qatar later this year and make up my mind then to send my resume to a couple of companies down there.
And Mutt I have some C172 time, can I get into your company? :-)
How far west are you? Saudi or further?
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Well de facto, with that attitude I'm sure you would suck at this easy office flying. I've had the pleasure to fly with a few great ex mil types and then there's the cocky ones like you who seem to get sent home early!
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...military time is not acceptable, a guy with 1500 hrs in a Cessna 150 will get accepted before someone with 1500 in an F15.....
That may explain why my Emirates app was rejected within a few days.
Even though I have about 3k P2 in 744 and MD-11. I too was curious about military to the ME airlines. I haven't heard of it, especially from here in the US. Not to say it doesn't happen. I read about many RJ pilots getting hired there however.
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MikeHoncho
In Emirates there is not a chance they will hire you if you're just out of the military. It has nothing to do with the "quality" of your flying hours vs commercial hours. It's the military mentality they are not so keen about.
For the other AL i don't know.
Good luck.
In Emirates there is not a chance they will hire you if you're just out of the military. It has nothing to do with the "quality" of your flying hours vs commercial hours. It's the military mentality they are not so keen about.
For the other AL i don't know.
Good luck.
I can think of a few guys on the Seniority List who WERE hired straight out of the military, but most of us ex-mil guys at EK did come via a previous airline.
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Even if you are on a civil type in military service and all the qualifying hours and licences, but no time in a civilian operation, the Emirates system will not allow your application to proceed. Dunno why.
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It's the military mentality they are not so keen about
. I have no idea why EK don't take more military guys but I am guessing it is because they don't have to...at the moment at least. In the past they have and there are at least a handful of direct from the military pilots at EK, including fast jet. Why take a candidate with no commercial pax experience over one with I guess? Even though it may make little difference it is a difference none the less. The GCAA has approved Category D Flight Simulators for the use of Zero Flight Time training only for pilots with at least 500 hours in a turbojet Transport type aircraft....so a fast jet guy for instance is required to do circuit training in the actual aircraft...so why would an airline spend the money if they don't have to? Mike I feel your pain...apply to them all and wait and see is my advice.
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That may explain why my Emirates app was rejected within a few days
md
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What is a "military" pilot ? please guys explain to me....
Fighter, bomber ? transport, maritime patrol, tanker, basic instructor ?
Helicopter ?
Air Force, Navy, Army (and Coast Guards and Marines sometimes)
Straight from high school ? or sort of rocket scientist with advanced Engineering University degrees no civilian airline pilot will ever dream to get ? Test Pilot flying C130 Hercules as PIC in the morning and Jaguar NVG low-level the afternoon, and the same the days after with other aircraft ? (transport or fighter this pilot ?)
Having been only in charge of his aircraft, with minor ancillary duties on the ground, or with with Wing/Squadron command experience, with dozens of pilot and hundreds of ground crew under his authority, writing SOPs and checking other crew ?
Coming from a major Air Force - worldwide status, combat experience, recognised position at home - or from a completely wrecked and penniless demotivated military somewhere ?
Somebody with minimal time in a squadron because something probably happened (also looking at some countries with 5 years initial contracts, how do they manage to get advanced professionnal qualifications ?) or another one with 20+ years free of any desk positions ?
And desk positions... some of them totally out of range and conception for the average airline pilot, talking about "military pilots " with a knowledge ogf the matter not exceeding a couple of Hollywood movies ?
At least those people didn't pay for their training, and they had to pass a selection to get their wings (because, no you don't "join" the Air Force)
And fighter pilots, during their whole cursus, got used to see some others washed out as being slower... and reassigned to multicrew transport aircraft, so it does stay in mind for sure.
Fighter, bomber ? transport, maritime patrol, tanker, basic instructor ?
Helicopter ?
Air Force, Navy, Army (and Coast Guards and Marines sometimes)
Straight from high school ? or sort of rocket scientist with advanced Engineering University degrees no civilian airline pilot will ever dream to get ? Test Pilot flying C130 Hercules as PIC in the morning and Jaguar NVG low-level the afternoon, and the same the days after with other aircraft ? (transport or fighter this pilot ?)
Having been only in charge of his aircraft, with minor ancillary duties on the ground, or with with Wing/Squadron command experience, with dozens of pilot and hundreds of ground crew under his authority, writing SOPs and checking other crew ?
Coming from a major Air Force - worldwide status, combat experience, recognised position at home - or from a completely wrecked and penniless demotivated military somewhere ?
Somebody with minimal time in a squadron because something probably happened (also looking at some countries with 5 years initial contracts, how do they manage to get advanced professionnal qualifications ?) or another one with 20+ years free of any desk positions ?
And desk positions... some of them totally out of range and conception for the average airline pilot, talking about "military pilots " with a knowledge ogf the matter not exceeding a couple of Hollywood movies ?
At least those people didn't pay for their training, and they had to pass a selection to get their wings (because, no you don't "join" the Air Force)
And fighter pilots, during their whole cursus, got used to see some others washed out as being slower... and reassigned to multicrew transport aircraft, so it does stay in mind for sure.
Nice rant.
As to your question-
A 'military" pilot is one who has only flown for a Government run, non commercial operation.
I have no doubt they are great at what they do.
What they HAVEN'T done is operate in an environment where making a profit is key to remaining in operation.
If you were recruiting for a commercial operation and had the choice, who would YOU choose?
As to your question-
What is a "military" pilot ? please guys explain to me....
I have no doubt they are great at what they do.
What they HAVEN'T done is operate in an environment where making a profit is key to remaining in operation.
If you were recruiting for a commercial operation and had the choice, who would YOU choose?