Originally Posted by
ninerdriver
Most regional airlines include per diem, cost of benefits, and commuter hotels (if you get them) in their compensation numbers when recruiting. That skews the numbers quite a bit.
This is true. But C5 is still $10K/yr below Republic and Endeavor first year and that's significant to most people. That said, Republic class dates are at least 6+ months out and in 6 months at C5 you would probably have 400+ hours and a lot of seniority (and hence QOL...such as it is at C5 with the current contract).
I'm taking a pay cut now to get to the left seat ASAP so I can start making reasonable money. My buddies at Republic will still be at FO pay for at least another 18 months after I upgrade at C5. Then in ~3 years from DOH I'll have 1000TPIC and be bailing to either United via the CPP or another carrier while they're still fishing for hours on reserve as a new CA.
Where you go in this business is all about wants, needs and priorities.