- Reaction score
- 290
- Points
- 980
We may have misjudged you completely on several counts. This is an imperfect means by which to form accurate impressions after all, but this, I think, is what we see:
An over-inflated sense of self. You have come a reasonable distance in your training, but have yet to complete it successfully and that is far from guaranteed. You have not yet joined your future unit for your first posting, and proven yourself to your troops, your NCOs, and your superiors. All of us offering advice, however you take it or dismiss it, have at least done that much. We have all learned from the mistakes of others and, in some cases, ourselves. we do know something of which we speak. You have yet to encounter the real world, and your real challenges have yet to begin.
Poor focus. Your primary duty throughout your career is to your Country, the CF, whatever missions and tasks are assigned to you, and your subordinates. You come across as being more interested in yourself, and we do not appreciate such an attitude.
Feel free to correct us if we are wrong. We hope that we are, for the sake of your subordinates, those who may have to work with you (which may well include some of us here), and you yourself.
Now, before you become defensive again, this is not a personal slam but take it as a wake-up. If we did not care, for whatever reason, we would not be spending our valuable time responding. It would be exceedingly easy to write you off as just another self-centred numpty as all of us have frequently encountered here and in real life. If our impressions, based upon your postings, are accurate, do not expect such gentle treatment once you get to a battalion.
Now, back to your initial question:
Long-range planning is a good thing, however much can change between now and your release from the regular force. I do not think that buying a house in the GTA is an especially good idea until you are able to live in it. You are, after all, going to be paying for accommodation wherever you happen to be posted. Selection based upon proximity to both a particular flying school and type of reserve unit is an even worse idea. Your odds of getting an RSS posting for several years are not high, and to a Toronto unit even lower. You would also be delaying the start of your flying training unnecessarily, and for longer than you may think. Wait and see where you get posted, and see what's available nearby.
The airline industry is far from stable. I've spent over fifteen years in a reserve-heavy Squadron, and seen a couple of bust cycles. I've watched many ex-regular pilots join us and struggle to get established within that industry. Several were thrown out of work suddenly and unexpectedly when their companies folded. There was a time where Air Canada laid off everybody with less than thirteen years of seniority, and that hit almost every Air Canada pilot in 411 Squadron, leaving them to scramble for employment wherever they could find it (often overseas). More recent downturns have cascaded guys down from Captain to First Officer, to lesser aircraft, and to less popular routes and schedules. Several rejoined the regular force as the pay and working conditions were better. There's a lot of reality to deal with there, too.
Finally, my best advice: suck back, stay on this forum, and learn from the collective knowledge and wisdom that you can find here. Far from being cliquish, there are people from all experience and rank levels, and you can derive great benefit in both your career and personal life. Even more - look after your men, and put them ahead of yourself. They more than deserve it, and they are also the key to your success or failure. Go out of your way to look after them, and they will go out of their way to look after you.
An over-inflated sense of self. You have come a reasonable distance in your training, but have yet to complete it successfully and that is far from guaranteed. You have not yet joined your future unit for your first posting, and proven yourself to your troops, your NCOs, and your superiors. All of us offering advice, however you take it or dismiss it, have at least done that much. We have all learned from the mistakes of others and, in some cases, ourselves. we do know something of which we speak. You have yet to encounter the real world, and your real challenges have yet to begin.
Poor focus. Your primary duty throughout your career is to your Country, the CF, whatever missions and tasks are assigned to you, and your subordinates. You come across as being more interested in yourself, and we do not appreciate such an attitude.
Feel free to correct us if we are wrong. We hope that we are, for the sake of your subordinates, those who may have to work with you (which may well include some of us here), and you yourself.
Now, before you become defensive again, this is not a personal slam but take it as a wake-up. If we did not care, for whatever reason, we would not be spending our valuable time responding. It would be exceedingly easy to write you off as just another self-centred numpty as all of us have frequently encountered here and in real life. If our impressions, based upon your postings, are accurate, do not expect such gentle treatment once you get to a battalion.
Now, back to your initial question:
Long-range planning is a good thing, however much can change between now and your release from the regular force. I do not think that buying a house in the GTA is an especially good idea until you are able to live in it. You are, after all, going to be paying for accommodation wherever you happen to be posted. Selection based upon proximity to both a particular flying school and type of reserve unit is an even worse idea. Your odds of getting an RSS posting for several years are not high, and to a Toronto unit even lower. You would also be delaying the start of your flying training unnecessarily, and for longer than you may think. Wait and see where you get posted, and see what's available nearby.
The airline industry is far from stable. I've spent over fifteen years in a reserve-heavy Squadron, and seen a couple of bust cycles. I've watched many ex-regular pilots join us and struggle to get established within that industry. Several were thrown out of work suddenly and unexpectedly when their companies folded. There was a time where Air Canada laid off everybody with less than thirteen years of seniority, and that hit almost every Air Canada pilot in 411 Squadron, leaving them to scramble for employment wherever they could find it (often overseas). More recent downturns have cascaded guys down from Captain to First Officer, to lesser aircraft, and to less popular routes and schedules. Several rejoined the regular force as the pay and working conditions were better. There's a lot of reality to deal with there, too.
Finally, my best advice: suck back, stay on this forum, and learn from the collective knowledge and wisdom that you can find here. Far from being cliquish, there are people from all experience and rank levels, and you can derive great benefit in both your career and personal life. Even more - look after your men, and put them ahead of yourself. They more than deserve it, and they are also the key to your success or failure. Go out of your way to look after them, and they will go out of their way to look after you.
