UNDflyboy

Ok, so looking at the pay rates we can get an estimate as to how much a pilot makes at the above Cargo Carriers. However, we all know with different block hours a month, overtime, holiday pay, etc. that the rates can be somewhat different. With all the rumors about current pay rates and contracts I am curious, how much in reality does a first year/second year FO, and a first year Capt and retiring Capt make at the respectable cargo airlines. Also if any one has cloud seeded before please feel free to share some information on your experience! I will be doing some cloud seeding around thunderstorms this summer and am interested in your experience!

Thanks in advance to all you airline pilots who share your knowledge as us young guys soak it all in, thank you.......

dckozak

First, there are no first year captains at any of the fore mentioned cargo carriers. Only upstart airlines have "first year" capt. So I assume you mean the first year they fly as capts. FedEx is currently upgrading 5 to 6 year pilots in to the 727. Look at that year, multiply by, say, 975 and you should be close. (Here's my math, 72hrs per 4 week X 13 add 6 training days [18hrs] another 21 hrs or so for C/O and what have you ) should be close. For retiring capts, figure INTL override for maybe 2/3 of the total hrs ($8.50).
This is for pilots who ain't working their asses off to make their "high 5" . Many will be doing considerably more flying and (consequently) earning lots more money (and will probably drop dead that much sooner! ).


We have lots of guys on this BB with cloud seeding experience, look for the (multiple) threads about seeding techniques, job openings, pay and common experiences ("their I was, over the top of this huge CU when suddenly......")

MD11HOG

Multiply the FedEx rates by 1100 for a yearly salary. You'll be pretty close.

fecav8r

Where'd you get 1100?

MD11HOG

It's just a number someone gave me as a new hire and it seems to have been in the ball park.

RedeyeAV8r

I think he is a little high on his estimate for average Joe Pilot.

8 Four week bid months @ 74hrs (8x 74 = 592)
4 Five week Bid months @ 90 hours (4 x 90 = 360)

592 + 360 = 952 hours in a year. I Don't do training on days off.

Round up to 960 credit hours per year.........that is good ballpark # for AVG line holders or 2ndary line holders or reserves. This factors in some protected carry over as well as some conflicted carry over..

By the way, as a 14 year widebody CAPT I was making MGT "quoted" avg pay for Fedex Pilot......I made right around 180 last year and I am 1 year shy of the highest pay rate...........Wish I could be one of those High end used for the company qouted averages.

fecav8r

Yeah, I've always kind of figured about 950-1000 was a pretty good gouge. Of course that's with none of that extra flying thrown in.

Overnitefr8

Just to correct a possible typo, our capt intl overide is $6.50/hr

dckozak

You know I even went online and checked for that number, and still got it wrong. I think I must wear the glasses more!

Sasquatch

1100 isn't unreasonable. I make 30% more than my base pay every year here at FedEx.