Notices
Flight Schools and Training Ratings, building hours, airmanship, CFI topics

airline benefits

Old 06-07-2005, 05:09 PM
  #1  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: ERJ CA, LCP
Posts: 44
Default airline benefits

I am an aspiring airline pilot, I always have been, but I was wondering what kind of benefits airlines are able to offer these days. I know that most give flight privileges, so you can fly stand-by whenever, and some offer retirement fund matching up to certain percentages, but what about healthcare and dental? Do most airlines give their pilots an option to get healthcare through the airline? I was also wondering about stock options - is that even heard of in this industry? Thank you to anyone that can shed some light on this subject for me and the other folks out there who are somewhat clueless in this area.
bhndthecns is offline  
Old 06-07-2005, 07:23 PM
  #2  
gtwnwa
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Well, I guess that depends on your expectations. The airline industry is very diverse. I suppose if you are DETERMINED to fly for a living regardless, you will find benefits that are "mainstream". But keep in mind that the industry (labor wise) is reinventing itself as we speak.

THe majors are rapidly deteriorating in terms of Pay and benefits. The upstarts offer little benefits but still you can make a living. The work gets harder and harder and the pay and benefits get less and less. I would not recommend to my child to endeavor to this career path without extreme desire. I will say, that once committed to it..it is hard to change to something else. Your skills don't transfer well to other areas of the economy!
 
Old 06-08-2005, 11:52 PM
  #3  
Line Holder
 
Av8trxx's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Disillusioned
Posts: 52
Default

Re: flight privileges
Not all flight bennies are free. Many carriers charge employees to travel and in some cases (AA/AE) as long as they have a seat in the cabin you cannot 'jumpseat' for free. In addtion to non-rev flying, pilots can use their industry piviledge and jumpseat (bum a ride) with other airlines. Saves $$$ on industry tickets to go on other airlines. Many also have 'buddy passes' so you can bring pals that are not dependants.

Re:retirement fund matching
Pretty much everyone has a 401K. The match of course varies by carrier. Some also have profitsharing programs.

Do most airlines give their pilots an option to get healthcare through the airline? What about healthcare and dental?
Yes. Haven't heard of a carrier that doesn't offer it. The cost varies by airline.

I was also wondering about stock options - is that even heard of in this industry? Also depends on the airline and what was negotiated in the contract. If I remember right SWA pilots got them. They also offer a discount on employee stock purchase (as do most carriers) if you dare invest in airline stocks.

IMO, SWA has an excellent benefits package. Free medical & dental for employees, free flight benefits, profitsharing (30+ years of profitability and counting...) and dollar for dollar match on 401K after a given time.
Av8trxx is offline  
Old 06-09-2005, 11:12 AM
  #4  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: ERJ CA, LCP
Posts: 44
Default

Thanks for the help. That's a little closer to what I was looking for. I'm told enough by folks to stay away from the airlines - I'm not listening to them. I really appreciate the help.
bhndthecns is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RockBottom
American
10
04-13-2021 07:24 AM
surreal1221
Flight Schools and Training
5
06-04-2006 01:17 PM
Pilot_135
Fractional
4
06-04-2006 04:17 AM
pilotskies
Regional
3
06-03-2006 04:29 PM
poppa2trolls
Flight Schools and Training
6
05-16-2006 07:27 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices