First of all a G450 job is not a fresh out of the flight school job. Many corporate pilots work there whole career without sitting in a late model gulfstream. This is the creme de la creme of corporate jobs please don't think otherwise. Flying this aircraft is the equivalent of a senior airline guy flying a 777 or 747 there is nothing better for a corporate pilot so please don't take this position lightly. I constantly here pilots complain about things like "the downward spiral of aviation" and then see guys on here saying they would fly this airplane for 85k and thats fine if you live in Tulsa Oklahoma or some other cheap cost of living area like it. However most of these jobs are in the New York Area or the Los Angeles area where 85k leaves you in lower middle class at best. Unlike the various airline positions around the country there is no commuting to and from your base, you live within 2 hours of your aircraft on a worst case scenario drive (ie, rush hour traffic). I am not saying 85k is not a lot of money but it dosen't cut it for this position in a major metro area. Someone told me a long time ago that unions don't protect pilots from management, unions protect pilots from each other, now I see why. We have to raise the bar not lower it. Corporate pilots made the same money 20 years ago as they do now but life costs alot more now. Let's keep our standards up and move forward not backwards. Times have been tough for the last 1 and 1/2 but things are turning around. I hear of new aircraft being delivered almost weekly and the majors are going to have to hire soon as well. I understand there is still alot of competition for pilot jobs but lowering your pay that you are willing to accept to undercut other pilots only hurts everyone. I just interviewed for a job and when they asked me what pay I wanted I replyed "I am looking for NBAA / Pro Pilot magazine salary numbers, no more no less" these are the standard numbers we should fly for. If a pilot can't see that maybe this industry isn't for them.
P.S. I did my time at Eagle for 17k a year so don't think I am being unresonable, I need to pay back all of the debt I accumulated during my time at eagle.LOL

 

day trips in a g450 good luck. You know the G in G450 stands for gone not gulfstream. Per diem is reimburstment for expenses that is why we aren't taxed on it (it isn't income).

 

Your right 120k is the norm look at NBAA. At least in Socal. Remember let's the pay at an acceptable living standard. So we all move forward not backwards.

 

Very good post. I agree 100%

 

I agree with you 100% on this. If this job is actually open for this guy he should go buy a lottery ticket.

 

Maybe I should, i just got it. IF we as pilots stand strong and dont sell ourselves short we can keep pay liveable and make flying as profitable as possible for the companies we work for. Every time I turn around pilots are selling themselves short. I just heard of a guy that took a G450 job for 85k, I know who he is and I eventually will repay his action (If I get the oportunity). In corporate this is as close to being a SCAB as possible. Follow NBAA standards on pay and we all maintain our quality of life.

 

Do NBAA numbers take into account overall compensation (health care, bonuses, etc.) or is it just straight salary?

 

Agree with most of your post but I'm not sure everyone would agree that "there is nothing better for a corporate pilot". I wonder how many of those guys that pilot the large Gulfstreams might (if they could) trade those jobs and their big suitcases for a small emergency overnight bag and a corporate job in a King Air or small Citation. How much of that 100 - 140K a year would that G-IV or G450 (etc) pilot be willing to give up for a job flying a smaller turbine airplane on the more typical "out-and-back" day trips associated with flying that type of equipment? Sorry for the minor thread hi-jack..... just wondering. Spending almost every night at home in your own bed instead of 2 weeks (or more?) away at a time has got to be worth something......

 

As said many times, corporate QOL largely depends on STAFFING.

Having done both, I will take a well staffed Gulfstream/Global/Falcon etc gig over a 2 pilot day trip job anyday. Yes, you will take your turn at the long trips, but its great when the other guys do the next long run and you are home for weeks with 2X the paycheck as an out an back King Air or Citation pilot.

Running one of these planes with 2 pilots sucks, no doubt about it. QOL improves by multiples when you up it to 3+ pilots....full time, not the infamous "we will use contract when needed"...my experience is that seldom works either.

 

When I mention there is nothing better I am stricly refering to pay. Every pilot has to choose what lifestyle he/she wishes as far as amount of time spent away from home. The reason they pay long range corporate jet pilots more then the short range corporate jet pilots is essential how long your trips are and how many days you are gone from home. The point of the thread is really the pay not the quality of life.