Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
A family of six would have a lower middle class lifestyle in a west coast city on 70K. I didn't sign on to merely get by. I love flying but it is important to me to have a stay at home parent and to be earning enough to live a responsible fully funded life that includes; self-funded retirement, college savings, help for aging parents and a generally upper middle class lifestyle.
A huge part of why airline pilots are in the situation that they are is that they are prepared to expect less than previous generations.
SkyHigh
Like I said, it depends on your situation. A family of six would have a lower middle class lifestyle in a west coast city. But, a family of 2 or 4 would be a little better off. What about those based in Georgia, or Texas, or Tennessee, because the fly for ExpressJet, ASA, etc. I was in training recently in a major airline hub up north. I was talking with a lady about home prices in the area (she lived there). Prices there were actually cheaper than you can find them here in the south, at least where I live.
Again, it just all depends on your situation. But, I still add that people aren't making more than pilots, in general. I was looking up average salaries of jobs the other day, and was actually surprised to see that there are a number of jobs that you can expect to earn more in Indiana, and Georgia, than in California. Also, one option pilots have, although many complain about it, is commuting. Where I live now, is actually a one hour flight from a majority of the regional, and major hubs, with numerous flights per day. This adds to it depending on your situation. In other words, someone doesn't have to live smack dab in the middle of LAX.