How much can an ex fighter pilot expect to make when becoming a commercial pilot right after discharge?

Out of the AF Reserve, you would definitely qualify for a F/O position with a USA major airline with a minimum first year salary of $34.000 to $40,000 - I last heard to figure of $38,000/year for Southwest Airlines - I think FedEx is right at $40,000 - As Mildred mentioned correctly, you could get out with command time on a type of aircraft such as T-43 (B-737), C-9 (DC-9) or KC-10 (DC-10) command experience and would qualify for DEC Direct Entry Captain contract overseas, in Middle East or East Asia, and get a minimum of $84,000 to $96,000/year on a initial 2 years tax free renewable contract - They could even consider training you on another type of aircraft i.e. B-767, these would be quite unlikely opportunities - But it has happened - You might maybe mention to Rob G that AFRES pilots serve their country well for some 20 years flying AFRES - My tanker squadron at March AFB (Riverside, California) was entirely composed of airline pilots with PanAm, TWA, Eastern, Northwest, Continental, Western, United and American - I do believe that both the AF and the airlines were happy to have that type of professionals as pilots with outstanding worldwide transport type aircraft experience - If it is all "seniority based", consider these top pay DEC contracts overseas - I do not think that 300 hrs of dual in C-172 makes you airline pilot material - Many civilian pilots unfortunately do not know "their stuff" that well compared to 300 hrs pilots out of T-38 training - .

1. They may have a problem because he might be a d**k. 2. You make Captain based on seniority and growth, hit the wrong side of the wave and you may never upgrade.

Forget Guru's ridiculous answer. Because of seniority rules at majors, you will probably have to start out at the bottom as an F/O, though you are right, you would definitely be qualified. F/Os first year salaries are in the $30-$40K range. It has happened in the past that an ex-military pilot could slide straight into the Captain's chair upon his discharge, especially if he/she was flying a heavy like a C-5 or C-17. I don't know if that is still done and another pilot on this forum may be able to advise you better. FedEx likes military pilots a lot. If you could make connections with them during your career as an AF pilot, I'd say go the FedEx route. Best pay and QOL in the business.

It's all seniority based. An ex USAF pilot would be in the same position as a civilian pilot with about the same experience. That is, you start out at the bottom and become Captain when your number comes up. You don't get to skip ahead of the line just because you flew a fighter. Yes, an airline would often times have no problem hiring an ex USAF pilot. It's not a gimmie though. You still have to go through the interview process just like every other civilian pilot. You won't get preferential treatment just because you flew a fighter. Not counting who you know, a civilian pilot with similar experience would have about the same chance of getting hired. If you want to go the military route, that's great. However, do it for the right reasons. The 'right reason' is that you want to serve your country. If you're doing it in hopes of having a better life in the civilian world, you could be very disappointed (e.g. it's entirely possible that you'll spend your entire AF career never touching an airplane). It's not a 'military pilots rule' world anymore. Hasn't been like that for decades. I don't mean to insult other military pilots when I say this, but they aren't necessarily better than civilian pilot. Yes, military pilots are very good pilots. However, a civilian pilot who knows his/her stuff is usually just as good (from my experience as an instructor teaching both ex-military and civilian pilots).