I think some of you may have some misconceptions about what the pay was like at ATA and others. There were a couple of reasonable years. And I emphasize a couple. The guys who did very well worked ALOT of overtime and were on the road basically the whole month. The majority of folks existed on 75 hours and on the int'l birds were gone a long time as well.

No complaints-just letting you all know the reality of the situation. When it shutdown an 11 or 12 year FO ( not by choice; by force of furlough ) was doing about 80 g's and was gone a good portion of the month on long trips. Not everyone of course-it depended on the airplane you were on. The hedge fund that bought the company really decimated it behind the scenes-on purpose. It would have been nice to know what their plans were! Thats not how it works unfortunately!

Anyway stack that up against a 3 year new Captain at say Skywest doing what? 3 day trips at 70 g's? Maybe not dead on but I bet its ballpark. Home alot more. Yes, there would be some lean years, but they probably have some cash stashed away and could hack it for awhile....I think the comparison is a little more valid than you think and for those of you who haven't made the "step to the next level or two" may be in for a bit of a rude awakening when you go to work for one of the lower tier "big airplane" carriers.

Just my 2 cents worth. Take it for what it is!