Livable Wage
11-18-2005 | 06:35 AM
#1
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From: Corporate Pilot
Livable Wage
Guys,
I have been noticing that there is a wide gap between two distinct groups on what livable wage is.
Group A primarily seem to be comprised of people under 35 who either work for a regional or hope to. These people feel that 60K is a healthy and fair wage.
Group B seem to be made up from the ranks of older pilots who either have worked for a major airline or currently do. Recent postings seem to suggest that 150-200K seems to be an acceptable wage for the job.
I believe that difference signals a major change between generations. The younger group seems to be hardening themselves for an impoverished future. They are arming themselves with a Buddhist mantra of "less is more" and that our true reward is the "joy of flight" ect. I feel that these lowered expectations are a major reason why the future of our profession will be one of continued lowing pay and benefits. When I was a new pilot everyone was aiming for the big time. We all knew that we had years of sacrifice ahead but our future expectations were high and few were prepared to accept less. The latest generation seems to feel that poor to mediocre is alright.
What do you think will happen when these guys reach the majors? Do you think they will support a strike? I think that their ranks will continue to dilute the industry until everyone is making less than a manager at Burger King. Pilots today are martyrs.
SkyHigh
I have been noticing that there is a wide gap between two distinct groups on what livable wage is.
Group A primarily seem to be comprised of people under 35 who either work for a regional or hope to. These people feel that 60K is a healthy and fair wage.
Group B seem to be made up from the ranks of older pilots who either have worked for a major airline or currently do. Recent postings seem to suggest that 150-200K seems to be an acceptable wage for the job.
I believe that difference signals a major change between generations. The younger group seems to be hardening themselves for an impoverished future. They are arming themselves with a Buddhist mantra of "less is more" and that our true reward is the "joy of flight" ect. I feel that these lowered expectations are a major reason why the future of our profession will be one of continued lowing pay and benefits. When I was a new pilot everyone was aiming for the big time. We all knew that we had years of sacrifice ahead but our future expectations were high and few were prepared to accept less. The latest generation seems to feel that poor to mediocre is alright.
What do you think will happen when these guys reach the majors? Do you think they will support a strike? I think that their ranks will continue to dilute the industry until everyone is making less than a manager at Burger King. Pilots today are martyrs.
SkyHigh
11-18-2005 | 10:08 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Retired
I think you also have to look at the circumstances. Those of us in Group A are used to making ends meet on much less than the 60k figure you put in there. 60k sounds like a lot of money. Group B, on the other hand, is used to that lifestyle which 200k will afford. Regardless, living outside of your means will come back to bite you no matter if you're at 30, 60, or 500 thousand per year.
I think when group A changes to the majors, and gets used to that lifestyle that the salary at a major affords. I'll probably be pushing for the age rule to be raised by the time I hit 50 too
Personally, I don't think this dillution will last much longer. At some point everybody is going to look around and say enough is enough. At some point they will stand up to management getting millions of dollars in bonuses at the expense of pay cuts, and at some point they'll quit putting up with unions that only look out for those in the top tier of pay rather than their entire workforce.
Personally, I refuse to let myself give in to the dillution of this industry and I wish my peers would quit stabbing each other in the back by buying into the idea that the fastest route to the top is the one that goes to the lowest bidder. It's a skilled trade, and we are responsible for millions of dollars in equipment and any number of people in the back, which in my mind are priceless.
I think when group A changes to the majors, and gets used to that lifestyle that the salary at a major affords. I'll probably be pushing for the age rule to be raised by the time I hit 50 too
Personally, I don't think this dillution will last much longer. At some point everybody is going to look around and say enough is enough. At some point they will stand up to management getting millions of dollars in bonuses at the expense of pay cuts, and at some point they'll quit putting up with unions that only look out for those in the top tier of pay rather than their entire workforce.
Personally, I refuse to let myself give in to the dillution of this industry and I wish my peers would quit stabbing each other in the back by buying into the idea that the fastest route to the top is the one that goes to the lowest bidder. It's a skilled trade, and we are responsible for millions of dollars in equipment and any number of people in the back, which in my mind are priceless.
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