Originally Posted by JetBlast77

Ok we can go down that road, since I was trying to make this a factual thread. You have to understand that hourly pay is such a small indicator of compensation. Work rules are the most controlling thing when having this conversation. If you just look at our retirement, we end up receiving close to 12% with all of our provisions. We're getting close to the end of the year, so let's compare apples to oranges. I invite anyone who is not on first year FO pay to participate.

Im a 5 year FO at XJT, in 2011 I worked just over 700 hours and made 51K, and the company contributed 6K to my 401K. My hourly rate is 40, but our work rules make it the equivalent of 70+. Now do you understand? Its all about work rules. The company could give me a 30/hour raise with a crappy contract and it's still a concession! Don't focus all your energy on the hourly rate, that's exactly what they want you to do.