Originally Posted by
sweetholyjesus
This post doesn't make any sense. I actually included the bonuses into those calculations, so without them the pay is all the way down to $33000 year 1, and $37000 thereafter. (I did, however, have to go back and lower the numbers a bit since you guys don't actually make $43/hr first year, you make closer to $38/hr.)
Again, per diem is not compensation, whether you choose to "save it" or not. And you shouldn't have to work overtime to make a salary that's appropriate for the work you do. Also, you are never guaranteed to be able to credit more than min guarantee each month. Ask the AWAC captains about that...
I know you included the bonuses. My point was that even if you disregard the sign-on bonus that you included in first-year pay (because that has been... a moving target) and only include line values, retention bonuses (which most FOs on property are getting, though recent guys aren't getting them till after year 1), per diem, and an occasional OT trip, 60k is VERY do-able. You say that nothing is guaranteed -- when did I say an FO is guaranteed 60k? I said it is possible. And that I attain that number, along with several of my friends. Line values might go back to minimum. OT might disappear -- and yes, it'd be great if I didn't have to pick up any OT. But I do it when I want to, here and there, to make sure I clear the 60k hurdle.
That said -- we can disregard per diem for the sake of argument. In that case, clearing 55k as an FO is extremely easy. And in that case, your meals on the road are covered by per diem :-)
And again, there are MANY contractual improvements needed. I promise -- I'm a normal guy who wants a better life for all of us. And yes, more money too...