When I interviewed in 2010 in LGB on G450/550 the starting pay was 85k. I turned it down for JetBlue, the high end potential was only about 100k as an instructor.

Facilitated learning?

What ever happened to the time tried and true system of shouting, ridicule, and intimidation?

Plus a 50% match on 401k up to 8%, better than most health care coverage with premium increases being covered by the company, a remote possibility of furlough, no commuting, home most nights, and the ability to fly contract (encouraged by the center) at your own rate while keeping 100% of the additional cash. Plus, you're banking you'll never lose a medical. With FSI not a factor. :D

100K puts you at the 84th percentile of income in the US. So "only" is probably not an accurate descriptor. However, living in LGB that probably works out to about 50K elsewhere given the perceived cost of living and taxation. In Texas they let you keep your $$$. Well, most of it anyway.

For LAX area, $85K is low, perhaps not for FSI instructor, but G450/550 guys in the area have to be starting at $125 plus.

GF

If FSI would pay line captain rates they'd have instructors that would never leave (and be experienced in type). That's always been the issue - the gap between line pay and instructing. The $$$ tends to go up when the industry is hiring. The demo is also changing a little. FSI used to be considered a retirement job (collect your military pension or airline pension and sit back and have health insurance and make some money). Now there's a lot of people in the 35-45 range.

For those that came from a bankrupt airline or furlough years ago and have accrued raises, seniority, months of sick time, etc. It's tough to go back to that gig again because you've got to factor risk in the equation. I believe that's a prevalent mentality. As Climb450 said, there's a bigger payoff in the long run on the line; however do you give up what you've got and take the risk. As they say, the house always wins....