This is not meant to be negative towards Pinnacle pilots. Like airsupport mentioned, the pilots had no say in the rates. Honestly, pilots of other carriers (Comair, Skywest, Mesa, Mesaba, etc...) had more to do with the rates than the Pinnacle pilot. I just want to have a good discussion about the rates.


With that said, I like the 1st year FO pay. The captain rates are basically average (again, below where they should be by at least $5/hr, but relatively average). I am most disappointed with the FO rates year 2 and up. Those are absolutely ridiculous. $32.81 for a 2nd year FO on a 90 seater??? Skywest, Expressjet, Horizon, ASA, and AWAC are all a good $5/hr higher, or approximately 15% higher. And many of those rates are for 50 seaters. The captain pay needs to be higher, but the arbitrator did at least put those relatively "average." I think the arbitrator completely messed up on the FO rates year 2 and beyond.

Fortunately, I believe the Pinnacle pilot group understands that these are OLD rates, and will be set higher in the next contract. Good luck.