Originally Posted by
freezingflyboy
Well thats where you're wrong. What if they signed a new contract and first year pay was $30/hr? That'd be great right? Industry leading! But what if there was a clause in there that said you were only paid 50% for flights between 6am and midnight? Well now its not so good is it? Think something like that doesn't happen? Ask those CAL guys who are inflight relief officers on the 75/76 and 777. Up until recently they were paid 50% for deadheads. On a 16 hour flight to Delhi, that sucks. Point is this, payscales are easy to compare but its the workrules that really matter.
Bingo- there are plenty of things in the contract that are worth alot in the QOL dept. Money is always nice but its not the whole shebang. First year pay is really low, but what I would want to see more is a bigger hop in pay come second year.
As far as doctor pay, how long do you pay dues? In the regional world you have the time until you make captain before you make Ok money.. Thats what 2-3 years minimum! Plus the time before you get a regional after your initial ratings- another 2 years or so? 5 years is a pretty long dues period before you can hit $60K... These are obviously my views/opinions so lets not start a flame war- but last I heard from talking to a doc was by 5 years after med school you have already been doing OK for yourself. Please correct me if I am wrong- I know how much I hate the common stereotype that pilots are making bank from the beginning...