Originally Posted by
wmupilot85
I average about 12 days off a month, with about 3-4 of my trips being day lines. I do work my butt off, but that's by choice. I'm also married, but no kids yet. That's why I'm working as much as I can now before having kids, to pay down as many bills as possible. And if I do have to work this much when we have kids as well, so be it. It's the sacrifice I have to make to provide for my family.
As I said, married with no kids yet. I work the system very good here with how I bid my schedule, and how I pick up trips. I do believe that we are worth more. I believe we should be making what I'm making based off guarantee. I know we won't see that happen here as well. So being a realist, I'll do what has to be done to maximize my income now, instead of *****ing about how little I make off working only guarantee. I will also then advocate and try to get higher wages for everyone at the same time; which is why I applauded our union for not allowing the company to raise 1st year pay only while everyone else's pay remained the same.
My main point was that the money can be had, if someone is willing to work at it. Would I like to have 18 days off making $70,000/year with Cadillac health care for $50/month? Of course, but at this level, it's not realistic. So I do what I can to maximize my income until I either move on to a major/legacy carrier or upgrade.
As a side note, my best month to date at this company was 136 hours with 18 days off, no vacation, and only gone 3 nights the entire month. Had one day line that paid over 16 hours. Like I said, it's all about how you work the contract.
I'm not saying people shouldn't work hard for what they earn. I've had a job since I was 15 yrs old and served a long time in the military as a grunt, so believe me I know hard work, and commend you for working hard to get ahead. I'm not saying we should be paid absurd amounts either. All I advocate is that we should be paid commensurate with what we bring to the table and that we should at least be paid an hour by hour equivalency, of someone who loads bags on the plane. We all understand that if you know how to work the system and have enough seniority you can make decent money, no one is debating that. Be proud of what your able to do but you must understand your the exception, I couldn't credit that even if I wanted to, nor could a lot of FOs if their honest with them selves. Some of us paid more dues than others to get to this point, life's not fair that's how it is. I hear very senior FOs complain all the time (with good reason) that their not a captain, then you find out they got hired on with a wet commercial. I tell them they should be glad they didn't have to slug away flying single pilot freight or flight instruct for 3-4 years like a lot of guys do now. Again don't point out the exception we know some people get to their ATP faster but times have changed and that needs to be realized. A lot of guys coming into the regionals now are not the high school or college kids of years before. I'm done say whatever you like, I think my point is clear enough.