I did a search and I'm surprised nothing came up on the topic of raises and/or promotion.

What are everyone's opinions as far as salary increases and promotions are concerned with corporate jobs? and what is the best way to go about obtaining those increases and promotions?

Background on my specific situation: I was hired to be the #2 of 2 guys flying a midsize... I was already typed when I was interviewed, and am required to be typed, per insurance. We swap seats every leg, duties are pretty much 50/50 with the exception that the other guy is the point of contact for the company. He's "chief pilot" and I assume he gets paid as such, and I get paid the average first officer pay (per Pro Pilot Survey). My one year anniversary is in one month. Should I expect to be getting "captain" pay?

 

Good question for *************. Not as big a percentage of the membership here is corporate. (especially part 91)

 

It would be frustrating to me that you aren't getting Captain pay as is. You swap seats; I assume you make all safety of flight decisions when in the left seat (utilizing CRM of course). If truly you're only differences are seniority and that he's the one who gets called, you should definitely be expecting Capt pay. I'd have the 2013 pay survey ready and stand your ground.

 

Yeah, those are my thoughts exactly.. it's barely even a seniority thing, we have the same hire date. But someone has to be in charge, and that's him (he's older, more experienced, etc) ... which I don't necessarily have a problem with; that's a whole other topic.

I'm just scared about bringing it up and standing my ground. Our salaries are based on such a free market, it's hard to put your foot down.

 

I'm sorry but it sounds like your company interviewed for a captain but you accepted FO pay. Since you had the type prior to being employed by this company you should have been getting captains pay from day one. I'm not one for ultimatums because it backs people in a corner, but if you don't speak up I'm sure the company will be more than happy to keep paying a reduced salary.

Do some research, what is your "net worth" to the company. Find out how much their insurance would increase if you were not typed. How much does Flight Safety or Simuflight charge for the type in your aircraft. Your company is getting the benefits of reduced insurance rates, paying a reduced salary, and not paying for the initial type rating. Since the other guy is "chief pilot" it is his responsibility to address the principles on your behalf. Let him earn his "chief pilot pay". Being a chief pilot myself, I know my responsibilities to keep my crews happy and also look after the company bottom line. At the end of the day most companies don't want a revolving door of unhappy pilots. They want to see familiar faces up front not a new guy every 6 months that is willing to work for substandard pay. My $0.02 worth.

GVCPT

 

I know of several small outfits where the chief pilot takes far more than his fair share, leaving the f/o with much less, because they can. Maybe that is not happening here tho... since you wrote you are paid industry wage.

1-Tough choice since you can be replaced.

2-From what you wrote, two captains are not even required so justifying the additional expense is going to be questionable at best.

Maybe lowering your expectations. Even an f/o raise would be nice too.

HD

 

You get what you negotiate - going in the door.

Discuss this in your review and be prepared to justify to the CEO/HMFIC why you deserve a bump in pay...but realistically, getting a HUGE bump in pay probably isn't going to happen.

Are you by chance low time/experience? Was the "Chief Pilot" already typed when hired as you were?

A raise is usually cheaper for a company than pilot attrition...

 

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Hawker Driver - for clarification, two type-rated captains ARE required for insurance purposes. I'm paid industry wage for an FO, but I am type-rated and required to be per insurance (Was type rated before I was bolted on).

BoilerUP - Depends on your definition of low time/experience. I had 2 years of jet PIC experience prior to coming on board here. The chief pilot was NOT type rated prior to getting hired. So most of the beginning months I was the one mostly running the show in the air.

 

This.

So many pilots take positions with no negotiation, figuring they can change it after the fact. Not how the world works. Get your money coming in the door. You likely won't have much of a chance until you change titles....at least that's the only way I have gotten large raises.

The next fatal common pilot mistake is saying you will leave because you aren't making what you could make elsewhere. That guarantees most places will just wait you out and replace you.

Cruise all the pilot web boards...they are all the same and this story is all too common.

Next time bring a lot to the table and go high. It's very, very hard to find great people today and places WILL pay top dollar for top people.

Good Luck!

 

Who ever signs the logbook pages as PIC= captains pay.