[QUOTE=Spanky189;377834][QUOTE=ewrbasedpilot;376498] They don't understand that flying a B777 for 16 hours across the pond is NOT the
same as hopping on a B737 from AMA to IAH.
How is that harder requiring more pay? (Yes, not the SAME, just different)
1. From the front, it's one takeoff and one landing.
2. You (and the other 2 pilots) get to take a 'nap' in first class between those events.
3. Service in the cabin is handled by the FAs.
4. Getting Oceanic Clearance is not rocket science.
5. Long lay-over to follow your 16 hour torture.
Compare that to 15+ takeoffs and 15+/- landings with 13+/- hour overnights on a 3 day trip blocking 21 hours. [Obviously not all trips].
Which 3 day trip do you think involves more risk? (I guess that would be a 4 day trip for the 777 ocean crossing).
If you think pay should be based on risk, I would think SW would win.
If you think pay should be based on company profits, SW would win.
If you think pilot pay is being eroded by management, you are right!!
Just as flying a C-150 is the same as flying a C-5 Galaxy, they are both airplanes although one is much more complex and requires a lot more "babysitting", therefore knowledge and ability. (It's not what little you do, it's how much you know). Flying into foreign airports is not as easy as it sounds. Try it and you'll see real quick (and then you'll be saying how you're not being paid enough for what you do...) Being in charge of 10 FA's vs 3 is quite a different story too. Crossing 14 time zones in 3 days isn't all that easy either, coupled with the language barriers of the controllers. (Oceanic clearance isn't tough, it's everything in-between that is). Flying back and forth between DAL and TUL isn't tough.....but flying for 16 hours straight with the sun in your face or on the backside of the clock is. How is flying into small airports riskier than foreign airports? I flew all over Europe in my last company and I'd beg to differ with you on how "risky" 99% of US airports are. (Maybe SAN MIGHT be a bit risky with that parking garage plopped right on short final, but the others.......nah, not a problem). Recuperating after a 16 hour flight isn't all that easy, so until you've done it........
But I do agree with pay being eroded, and it's not just by management, it's by other companies who keep trying to lower the bar and passengers who think they should be allowed to fly for nothing.............
