We shouldn't be talking about formulas for pay. Once there is a formula it becomes easy to manipulate.

Example: Airline says: This is a 100 seat aircraft, but we'll only put 86 seats in it so we don't have to pay 100 seat rates.

Example: Airline tells Aircraft Manufacturer, "hey guys" don't make anything over 100 seats, because it's not in our financial interest.

Example: Airline says "Screw it pilots" you'll fly a 50, 70 or 90 seater for us for the same pay rates or a smidgen more.


Yes, I know, formulas also prevent example #3 from happening if there is a contract. . . .

If you want formulas lets make some up:

1) $2,000 x (# years you are alive) + COLA for FO and $3,000 x (# years you are alive) + COLA for CA. (Eg. 40 yer old CA make $120/hr and 20 yer old FO makes $40/hr)

2) $1/pound gross weight of the a/c for FO and $2/pound gross weight for CA

3) 20% of the HIGHEST ticket fair sold per segment x Block or Credit hours of segment for FO . . . 40% of HIGHEST ticket fair sold for CA

4) Formulas based on MAX FUEL CAPACITY of plane

5) Formulas based on max range or endurance

6) Formulas based on # of obese passengers plane can comfortably hold

7) Formulas based on # of Flight Attendants needed for plane

8) Formulas based on annual aircraft usage and earning power plane has.

There are all kinds of different ways to calculate a salary range, but until pilots STOP working for $19/hr all this formula generation is bogus. I personally think a CRJ FO should be earning near $60,-$75,000 annually and a CA $90,- $120,000 annually with no more than 5 years experience.