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Hello,
Long post. Appreciate reader dedication.
I’m a DEO pilot applicant, in the application process since July 2012. I’ve read several pilot-related threads on this wonderful forum already and I’m sure I will continue reading further. Admittedly, I haven’t read everything but the majority of info seems to be on the trade itself, from completing the application file to aircrew selection to pilot training to finally flying missions. There seems to be less info on how other areas of a pilot’s life are affected. I’m sorry if the questions I’m about to ask have been answered somewhere individually some time ago. But I figured it would be logical anyway to bring them together in one place, not to mention receive more up-to-date answers. I think it goes without saying that most people trying to get into this trade sleep and dream about flying missions. However, I believe how this line of work affects other aspects of a pilot’s life is equally important.
If the currently serving pilots, either fast jet, ME, or RW (or perhaps other Air Force trade members that live comparable lifestyles outside of work hours) on this site could please answer the following questions, myself and I’m sure others would be very thankful for the info and find it a useful part of their CF pilot career research. Thank you very much.
1. Personal Life. It seems that a number of applicants are married or in long-term relationships already, and the CF website as well as this forum provide some info on how to manage personal life with your significant other. However, if you are single, as I’m sure many applicants other than myself are, what are the prospects of meeting people outside of work hours? And is there any time for that? Pilot hours seem to be long, postings seem to be mostly to small towns, and a lot of time is spent being away. So I’m trying to get a realistic picture, from those single pilots who’ve already served for some time and have experience with this – is it reasonable to expect a meaningful personal life? Is it mostly casual encounters or is it possible to find a keeper? Does the relationship usually go to hell after you deploy for several months? What are the chances of long term postings near the urban centres?
2. Career Progression. This question has two parts. I understand that pilot candidates are awarded the rank of 2Lt upon graduation from BMOQ. I also understand that the pilot training that follows has a different timeline for everyone, depending on training spots available, etc. However, what is the ballpark timeline for years spent as 2Lt and years spent as Lt, and when is a reasonably capable candidate expected to earn Capt? The second part of the question is, what is the expected salary progression, starting with BMOQ to earning Capt? I am kind of confused by the Pay Scale table on the CF website (http://www.forces.ca/en/page/payscales-131#officersregular-1). I can’t really read it because I don’t know when the pay increments come into play, etc. So what is the expected time and salary range for BMOQ, for 2Lt, for Lt and Capt? I’m not in this for the money, but it would help to know this for financial planning.
3. Cost of Living. In their answers to this question, I don’t expect people to put a dollar amount on this because everyone lives differently and spends differently. However, I’m sure some of you came from bigger cities where the cost of living is higher, and then experienced a change in this cost as you likely moved to smaller town next to where you are posted. Is the cost of living significantly lower near most semi-remote military base locations? Is it reasonable to expect to save a lot more on living as compared to city living?
4. Life after Service. I am sure many of you have wondered about life after the initial service term, as have I. So I’m wondering what kind of good plans are out there. One option would be to try to renew the contract. That may not be possible, however, or that may not be one’s choice, perhaps for family reasons or any others. So what then? Are veteran pilots welcome in the airlines? Is it easy to get those jobs? What about heli pilots? Is it reasonable to expect to find a pilot job in the civilian world upon retirement from the CF? Or is military flying not recognized in the civi world? What kind of other jobs can pilots get? I have a mechanical engineering university degree. I’m sure other pilots have technical degrees as well. Would some combination of engineering degree/work experience and military flying experience be in demand for jobs in the civilian world? Once again, hard to say if I’d want to leave the CF, or perhaps I’d want to start something of my own, but it’s just good to cover all bases. Has anyone done something smart with their money during their service, and then retired having rental property paying their bills? That certainly would be something interesting to think about.
Those are all the questions I can think of so far. Will add more if I think of any. Thank you very much to those who take the time to read this and provide answers. Much appreciated.
Long post. Appreciate reader dedication.
I’m a DEO pilot applicant, in the application process since July 2012. I’ve read several pilot-related threads on this wonderful forum already and I’m sure I will continue reading further. Admittedly, I haven’t read everything but the majority of info seems to be on the trade itself, from completing the application file to aircrew selection to pilot training to finally flying missions. There seems to be less info on how other areas of a pilot’s life are affected. I’m sorry if the questions I’m about to ask have been answered somewhere individually some time ago. But I figured it would be logical anyway to bring them together in one place, not to mention receive more up-to-date answers. I think it goes without saying that most people trying to get into this trade sleep and dream about flying missions. However, I believe how this line of work affects other aspects of a pilot’s life is equally important.
If the currently serving pilots, either fast jet, ME, or RW (or perhaps other Air Force trade members that live comparable lifestyles outside of work hours) on this site could please answer the following questions, myself and I’m sure others would be very thankful for the info and find it a useful part of their CF pilot career research. Thank you very much.
1. Personal Life. It seems that a number of applicants are married or in long-term relationships already, and the CF website as well as this forum provide some info on how to manage personal life with your significant other. However, if you are single, as I’m sure many applicants other than myself are, what are the prospects of meeting people outside of work hours? And is there any time for that? Pilot hours seem to be long, postings seem to be mostly to small towns, and a lot of time is spent being away. So I’m trying to get a realistic picture, from those single pilots who’ve already served for some time and have experience with this – is it reasonable to expect a meaningful personal life? Is it mostly casual encounters or is it possible to find a keeper? Does the relationship usually go to hell after you deploy for several months? What are the chances of long term postings near the urban centres?
2. Career Progression. This question has two parts. I understand that pilot candidates are awarded the rank of 2Lt upon graduation from BMOQ. I also understand that the pilot training that follows has a different timeline for everyone, depending on training spots available, etc. However, what is the ballpark timeline for years spent as 2Lt and years spent as Lt, and when is a reasonably capable candidate expected to earn Capt? The second part of the question is, what is the expected salary progression, starting with BMOQ to earning Capt? I am kind of confused by the Pay Scale table on the CF website (http://www.forces.ca/en/page/payscales-131#officersregular-1). I can’t really read it because I don’t know when the pay increments come into play, etc. So what is the expected time and salary range for BMOQ, for 2Lt, for Lt and Capt? I’m not in this for the money, but it would help to know this for financial planning.
3. Cost of Living. In their answers to this question, I don’t expect people to put a dollar amount on this because everyone lives differently and spends differently. However, I’m sure some of you came from bigger cities where the cost of living is higher, and then experienced a change in this cost as you likely moved to smaller town next to where you are posted. Is the cost of living significantly lower near most semi-remote military base locations? Is it reasonable to expect to save a lot more on living as compared to city living?
4. Life after Service. I am sure many of you have wondered about life after the initial service term, as have I. So I’m wondering what kind of good plans are out there. One option would be to try to renew the contract. That may not be possible, however, or that may not be one’s choice, perhaps for family reasons or any others. So what then? Are veteran pilots welcome in the airlines? Is it easy to get those jobs? What about heli pilots? Is it reasonable to expect to find a pilot job in the civilian world upon retirement from the CF? Or is military flying not recognized in the civi world? What kind of other jobs can pilots get? I have a mechanical engineering university degree. I’m sure other pilots have technical degrees as well. Would some combination of engineering degree/work experience and military flying experience be in demand for jobs in the civilian world? Once again, hard to say if I’d want to leave the CF, or perhaps I’d want to start something of my own, but it’s just good to cover all bases. Has anyone done something smart with their money during their service, and then retired having rental property paying their bills? That certainly would be something interesting to think about.
Those are all the questions I can think of so far. Will add more if I think of any. Thank you very much to those who take the time to read this and provide answers. Much appreciated.