Originally Posted by
DWC CAP10 USAF
Without going into lots of public math (always bad idea for me as a paste eating ex fighter pilot), here are my numbers. I retired in 2017 from AD as an O-5. My base pay + BAS + BAH + Flt Pay - taxes and deductions was approx $9.6K/month, so $115K/year
Back in 2017, DL training salary was $4800/month and then first year pay rate was $85.71/hr. I was a commuter so I basically just flew my schedule...wasn't doing rolling thunder, but I did pick up a GS or 2 here or there if they were conveniently aligned with my commuting. I would say I did maybe 2 - 5 in a year, but definitely not more than 6 - 9 in a year...I would call my green slip take rate as slightly above well below average!
In 2018 (8 months on 1st year pay and then 4 on 2nd year), I grossed $111K and netted $89K
In 2019 (8 months on 2nd year and 4 months on 3rd year), I grossed $180K and netted $128K. This did include a little over $14K profit sharing (paid in Feb 2019 for the 2018 calendar year).
Not sure what an O-5 makes now a days (my DD-214 blanket shields me from caring about such information), but with the fact that the new hire salary is going away and the 18% raise, I'm guessing it's still around 2'ish years until your airline take-home is greater than or equal to AD military take-home.
Thanks for the numbers! Really does help understand.
As an 0-4 leaving with a 6 month Palace Chase from my initial ADSC based on my public math (also a scary adventure for me)
My take home is about $7K a month (Oklahoma BAH isn’t the best) (Max out my Roth and taxes taken out of a $10.6K monthly income)
Based on what I’m seeing with the new rates after taxes I’ll be taking home $6.5-$7K (Just going to use the 401K DC only in retirement savings for now)
So basically it’s already a wash in total comp after training is over for me. Which is crazy and as a new guy I feel fortunate to not have to worry as much as the previous generation