Based on JAN 1 2009 pay rates, an E1 (17 year old kid out of high school without any follow on education) makes $16800 in basic pay. His Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) are $453.00 and $324.00 respectively. That's $9324.00 per year tax free. If he's an aircrewman, he will receive an additional $1800.00 per year. So, that's $27,924 per year, with 1/3 of that amount being tax free (and that's only FIRST YEAR PAY)! That's definitely more than 1st year starting regional FO pay and you too can earn this right out of high school.

An O1 will earn $31,860 in basic pay. His BAH and BAS will be $615.00 and $223.00 respectively. That's $10,056.00 per year tax free. His flight pay will be an additional $1500.00 per year. That's a total of $43,416 per year (again, FIRST YEAR PAY), with almost a quarter of that amount being tax free.

It's pretty much a guarantee that you won't spend much, if any time away from home during the first few years if you're an aviator or aircrewman. It's full time flight school for $43K per year. Second year pay and subsequent just keeps going higher and higher. Any career changers out there?