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For all of you "doing the math" and coming up with these "what if" scenarios, realize that people were doing that back in the 1990s and I can guarantee you not one of their predictions came true. Like anything, an airline career is based in part on timing. Some of the guys at my airlines were hired during the good times, made captain and have been in the left seat through most of the "bad years". Other guys got in right at the tail end of the 1980s hiring wave and they've been sitting reserve as an FO for the better part of 25 years, and furloughed 1+ times. The airlines isn't a panacea. It will not cure cancer, make you rich or make you happy. If you love flying, you'll enjoy flying for the airlines, but it is a change in pace, especially in the beginning. The first few years, you won't have too much control over your schedule and you'll be going into work as everyone else around you hits the lake or heads out to see family for the holidays. But given the realities of airline staffing, your schedule likely will get better. Short of a massive economic hit (where we're all pretty screwed), you'll still go up the seniority list. The mandatory Age 65 rule will see to that. Even with us losing about 250 pilots a year to mandatory retirement, we're losing almost as many to medical retirements (it's a lot harder to keep your Class 1 when you're 62-63)...and to that issue, we're still understaffed somewhat, despite hiring constantly. For those of you that don't really care if you're flying an airplane or not, I'd suggest finding another way to make a living, because the first few years are going to burn you out. I'm writing this from my crash pad, having had to say goodbye to the wife and kids on Labor Day while all my other friends are out barbecuing. I'm betting on quick movement up the list to where in another 2-3 years I'll have weekends off and maybe even some holidays off. As for vacation, having a legitimate vacation week off when you want it will still be further down the road, but as they say in this industry, "that's what sick leave is for". My advice...forget the number crunching. Do what you think is best for you and your family. If you can find a AFRC/ANG gig nearby, then it's nice insurance, additional income during those first couple years, and a good way to get to 20 and get something for your troubles while Active Duty. If it would require commuting somewhere else to do it, I'd forget about it because it'll cost you way too much in QOL to make it worthwhile. If you love aviation, fly for the airlines. If you don't, then don't. I enjoy my job even though I'm pretty much at the bottom...so in my opinion, it'll be an awesome job once I have some seniority and relocate to live in-base. As for the bonus...you'll never be happy if you're chasing money. If you stay in, do it because it's the right thing for you and your family at the time, and if the military pays you a little extra for the decision, then great. Otherwise, pass on the money and find the opportunity you're looking for elsewhere.

All of this assumes the individual is interested in flying for the airlines. It also assumes that one is punching as a O-5 at 20 years. After 20 years of service, I would think one deserves to get a second career that would make one happy...I find it hard to believe that an airline gig really fits that bill for the majority. From a money accumulation standpoint, I see the logic...but, I think I departed that path when I commissioned with an engineering degree (that I chose based on income potential to boot.) Best of luck to each of you in determining what's best for your livelihoods here. Bendy

Toast to Moose! I was stationed with him in the Wild Boars at Mountain Home. As a young 1Lt, his hair used to be really long...to which the wing commander called him out during a First Friday at the 390th and told him to cut his "goldi-locks"...without hesitation, Moose said, "Nah Scottie (Brig Gen Robin Scott), I'm good bro," as he ran his hand through his hair. Everybody was roaring... Him, Him

We all know better, where is Joe1234 to defend the invasion?

Park it by the squadron. Best Squadron Bar ever!

This. If you want a true apples to apples comparison, you need to look at the whole package IRT airline compensation. If you also choose to finish out your 20 with the guard/reserve, you are golden (retirement, furlough protection, control over schedule, etc). Additionally, because we are on the front of the wave right now, that 5 years of seniority will be worth exponentially more in the long run.

Don't think I've seen this yet https://www.booster.com/moosetshirt?share=771409569302583

I assume you meant billion and not trillion. But if you think border fences in the right place can't solve illegal immigration / illegal border crossings tell that to Israel and San Diego. San Diego Fence Provides Lessons in Border Control From the article: Before the fence was built, all that separated that stretch of Mexico from California was a single strand of cable that demarcated the international border. ... Today, Henry is assistant chief of the Border Patrol's San Diego sector. He says apprehensions here are down 95 percent, from 100,000 a year to 5,000 a year, largely because the single strand of cable marking the border was replaced by double — and in some places, triple — fencing. Does the fence stop all illegal crossings? No but it dramatically curtails it and forces illegal crossings out into difficult terrain where it would be easier to catch or deter them, that area would be heavily patrolled by a new CBP / NG mission. Another little gem about border fences: Does a Border Fence Work? Check Out the Dramatic Change After Israel Put One Up For $377 million (probably the true cost of one F-35) they put up a 143 mile security system (fences, cameras, lights, patrol roads) and cut illegal crossings by +99%. I am not advocating for a 2000 mile fence system across the entire border, that is unnecessary. But what is needed is strategic fencing in adjoining urban areas, along major highways leaving from the border between international and internal checkpoints, manpower to secure those areas and the resources to patrol the wilderness areas. Are we ever going to stop all illegal immigration? No, of course not but if we reduce it to a trickle then you could have a much better debate and then action / reform on the nexus of border security, immigration policy, policy on illegal immigrants in the USA and work visas for foreign workers / illegal employment of illegal aliens. The debate never moves forward because one side (correctly with the historical evidence of inaction following the 1986 amnesty of President Reagan) knows that if they concede anything the other side will NEVER secure the border or enforce immigration laws, they will allow in more illegal aliens, try to legalize them and get them to vote thus ensuring the other side's political demise.

Just finished a mission on combat flight simulator when I came in and read this. Damn straight it's high stress! I'd write more but I gotta hit the drive thru at burger king.