Originally Posted by Wasatch Phantom

Timbo.

Your post made me do some research that's pretty darn depressing.

In February 1995 I was a four year 727 First Officer. My hourly rate was $98.48. I contributed 6% to the Family Care Savings Plan, so my effective rate was $92.57.

Seventeen years later I'm an A-320 Captain and my hourly rate is $175.00 an hour. Because I'm a dead zoner I contribute 25% to my retirement (including the over 50 catch-up contribution). That makes my effective rate $131.25. (And I'm not getting into the degradation of our medical plan ...)

So using an inflation calculator, $92.57 in 1995 dollars equates to $136.63 in 2011 dollars. I'm essentially making five bucks an hour less as a 22 year A-320 Captain than I was making as a 4 year 727 First Officer, barely off B-scale!

I guess this would be the point that Slow, Sailing, Alfa, or PG will chime in and tell me how great I'm doing....

It sure doesn't feel it from where I'm sitting.