Originally Posted by RJ85FO

So I took the time to research the facts for the benefit of everyone. ALPA is responsible for the "poverty line" comparisons. It simply is not true.

When you look at Federal Register Vol. 72 No.15 dated January 24, 2007 (pages 3147-3148) you will find that the 2007 Federal poverty level for a household of 1 is: $10,210 in the lower 48. For a family of 2 it is: $13,690.

The average line in MEM on the Saab at Mesaba credits 89.04 hours with 270.50 hours away from base. At starting F/O pay of $22.81, that equates to:

$2031.00/month flight pay
$419.28/month per-diem
Per Diem is reimbursement for expenses, so when we are talking about poverty, it must be included since you are using it to buy food, dry cleaning, movies, etc.

So we have $2450.28/month or $29,403.36 per year

Even using fuzzy math, that is 288% of the poverty line for 1 or 215% of the poverty line for two.

Okay, even worst case (reserve in base and don't fly) 75 hour guarantee. no per-diem, puts you at $20,529 per year. That is still well above "poverty."

I am not arguing that it is enough, or fair, or a "decent living" but it is certainly not poverty wages.

Incidentally, federal minimum wage is $10,712 per year.