2017 W2 Earnings
01-04-2018 | 06:26 PM
#191
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,603
Likes: 0
The sad thing is that it’s still low for an airbus captain on guarantee yet at Spirit you have to either be in the training dept or be in Vegas dropping middle rsv days waiting by the the phone for Scheduling to call you for trips and release you from other work days.
It’s sad that even with all those tactics a Spirit pilot still can’t make industry standard pay and let’s not even talk about nonexistent profit sharing and laughable retirement.
While contractually legal you are absolutely at scheduling’s mercy and if there is no open time which is completely regulated by the company or if the base becomes better staffed- poof there goes the money and instead of making legacy Fo money you’re back to making rj captain money
01-04-2018 | 09:36 PM
#193
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 526
From: Guppy Gear Slinger
This thread is fascinating. In nearly every other profession in the US it's pretty much verboten to discuss compensation with anyone other than one's spouse, and here folks are posting their W2s. Not a criticism, just an observation.
I gotta say, though, folks. Speaking as someone who spent 20+ years in the corporate (non-aviation world) before taking on a second job at a regional airline because I figured 7K hours of piston flying was enough, we airline pilots have it really, really good.
In my day job — which I'm able to do because I bid weekend flying and split-duty trips during weeknights — I work in advertising. Actually, I run my own 50-person company. In this field, like just about any other corporate pursuit, the very concept of a job that requires one to work 100-150 days per year, and potentially earn compensation in the $300-$500K range, is simply unheard of. You'd be laughed out of any corporate interview (including mine) if you suggested a deal like that.
Typically in the higher echelons of corporate America you'll work about 2,300--2,500 hours per year, which translates into approximately 230-250 days 'worked.' (Then again, you're really 'working' every day, even if it's just three hours on a Sunday. There is no concept of 'off' days anymore...you are chained to your smartphone.)
Whereas, in aviation, when you block in and walk off the airplane, you're done. Aside from a few quarterly online training tasks — which we all do on our overnights or during Airport Appreciation time anyways — and aside from some brushup studying for recurrent, there's almost nothing we have to do when we're not on a trip. At this income level, it's impossible to have that kind of arrangement in corporate America.
All I'm saying is, we pilots are good at complaining. The food, the van times, the flow delays, management, contracts, dispatch, MX, catering, crew scheduling, reserve assignments...we'll complain about it all. But for those of you who had to suffer through a non-airline career before you put on your stripes, you know what I'm talking about. This is the Best. Job. In. The. World.*
*Until, of course, the proverbial **** hits the fan, which is what pilots are really paid for. And the consequences of errors in that situation are far greater than errors made by, let's say, a VP of Marketing in some corner office somewhere. So there's that.
All I'm saying is — compared to the vast, vast majority of professionals, we pilots (well, you major airline pilots, to be specific) have it really, really good. Next time you're up in the flight levels, just think about what you could be doing instead — like most people, sitting in a grey cubicle, working twice as much for half the pay.
Maybe that will make that involuntary extension into your day off, or the hotel van showing up 30 minutes late when you've just spent 16 hours slogging across the country in the middle of Snowmageddon, sting a bit less
I gotta say, though, folks. Speaking as someone who spent 20+ years in the corporate (non-aviation world) before taking on a second job at a regional airline because I figured 7K hours of piston flying was enough, we airline pilots have it really, really good.
In my day job — which I'm able to do because I bid weekend flying and split-duty trips during weeknights — I work in advertising. Actually, I run my own 50-person company. In this field, like just about any other corporate pursuit, the very concept of a job that requires one to work 100-150 days per year, and potentially earn compensation in the $300-$500K range, is simply unheard of. You'd be laughed out of any corporate interview (including mine) if you suggested a deal like that.
Typically in the higher echelons of corporate America you'll work about 2,300--2,500 hours per year, which translates into approximately 230-250 days 'worked.' (Then again, you're really 'working' every day, even if it's just three hours on a Sunday. There is no concept of 'off' days anymore...you are chained to your smartphone.)
Whereas, in aviation, when you block in and walk off the airplane, you're done. Aside from a few quarterly online training tasks — which we all do on our overnights or during Airport Appreciation time anyways — and aside from some brushup studying for recurrent, there's almost nothing we have to do when we're not on a trip. At this income level, it's impossible to have that kind of arrangement in corporate America.
All I'm saying is, we pilots are good at complaining. The food, the van times, the flow delays, management, contracts, dispatch, MX, catering, crew scheduling, reserve assignments...we'll complain about it all. But for those of you who had to suffer through a non-airline career before you put on your stripes, you know what I'm talking about. This is the Best. Job. In. The. World.*
*Until, of course, the proverbial **** hits the fan, which is what pilots are really paid for. And the consequences of errors in that situation are far greater than errors made by, let's say, a VP of Marketing in some corner office somewhere. So there's that.
All I'm saying is — compared to the vast, vast majority of professionals, we pilots (well, you major airline pilots, to be specific) have it really, really good. Next time you're up in the flight levels, just think about what you could be doing instead — like most people, sitting in a grey cubicle, working twice as much for half the pay.
Maybe that will make that involuntary extension into your day off, or the hotel van showing up 30 minutes late when you've just spent 16 hours slogging across the country in the middle of Snowmageddon, sting a bit less
Last edited by Turbosina; 01-04-2018 at 10:01 PM.
01-04-2018 | 09:49 PM
#194
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 526
From: Guppy Gear Slinger
Oh, and while I'm at it, might as well crash the party and offer a peek into the life of the lowest of the low. No, not a Washington lobbyist...a regional FO! 
1) Airline employer: Skywest
2) Seat: The one without the tiller
3) Equipment: Climb Restricted Jet
4) Years of Service with company: 3.5
5) How many days you worked: Nearly all split-duty overnights (see below), plus maybe 10 locals
6) How many overnights you had: 98
7) How many hours you blocked: 330
8) How many hours did you credit: 810
9) Expected gross income: $45K-ish from this gig
10) Extra Pay (DC, PS, etc.): I got some free Classic snack boxes on one of our UAX flights once. Oh, and a couple packets of free tea biscuits on DCI. And once (gasp) a First Class breakfast on a DAL-branded -900. Add it all together and you're talking a street value of $15, easy.
1) Airline employer: Skywest
2) Seat: The one without the tiller
3) Equipment: Climb Restricted Jet
4) Years of Service with company: 3.5
5) How many days you worked: Nearly all split-duty overnights (see below), plus maybe 10 locals
6) How many overnights you had: 98
7) How many hours you blocked: 330
8) How many hours did you credit: 810
9) Expected gross income: $45K-ish from this gig
10) Extra Pay (DC, PS, etc.): I got some free Classic snack boxes on one of our UAX flights once. Oh, and a couple packets of free tea biscuits on DCI. And once (gasp) a First Class breakfast on a DAL-branded -900. Add it all together and you're talking a street value of $15, easy.
01-04-2018 | 09:59 PM
#196
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 526
From: Guppy Gear Slinger
01-04-2018 | 10:01 PM
#197
On Reserve
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Flying in Asia
I'll chime in as a Capt flying in Asia.
Employer: Scoot, An LCC based in Singapore.
Fleet/position: B787/ Capt.
Years of service: 1
Block hours: 850
2017 Gross pay: 200k. Does not include Per Diem about 6K, Provident funds of 10k plus average bonus of 2-3 months of your basic salary.
No socks!
Earning a lot less than the FOs with the legacies!
Employer: Scoot, An LCC based in Singapore.
Fleet/position: B787/ Capt.
Years of service: 1
Block hours: 850
2017 Gross pay: 200k. Does not include Per Diem about 6K, Provident funds of 10k plus average bonus of 2-3 months of your basic salary.
No socks!
Earning a lot less than the FOs with the legacies!
01-05-2018 | 03:59 AM
#198
Banned
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
This thread is fascinating. In nearly every other profession in the US it's pretty much verboten to discuss compensation with anyone other than one's spouse, and here folks are posting their W2s. Not a criticism, just an observation.
I gotta say, though, folks. Speaking as someone who spent 20+ years in the corporate (non-aviation world) before taking on a second job at a regional airline because I figured 7K hours of piston flying was enough, we airline pilots have it really, really good.
In my day job — which I'm able to do because I bid weekend flying and split-duty trips during weeknights — I work in advertising. Actually, I run my own 50-person company. In this field, like just about any other corporate pursuit, the very concept of a job that requires one to work 100-150 days per year, and potentially earn compensation in the $300-$500K range, is simply unheard of. You'd be laughed out of any corporate interview (including mine) if you suggested a deal like that.
Typically in the higher echelons of corporate America you'll work about 2,300--2,500 hours per year, which translates into approximately 230-250 days 'worked.' (Then again, you're really 'working' every day, even if it's just three hours on a Sunday. There is no concept of 'off' days anymore...you are chained to your smartphone.)
Whereas, in aviation, when you block in and walk off the airplane, you're done. Aside from a few quarterly online training tasks — which we all do on our overnights or during Airport Appreciation time anyways — and aside from some brushup studying for recurrent, there's almost nothing we have to do when we're not on a trip. At this income level, it's impossible to have that kind of arrangement in corporate America.
All I'm saying is, we pilots are good at complaining. The food, the van times, the flow delays, management, contracts, dispatch, MX, catering, crew scheduling, reserve assignments...we'll complain about it all. But for those of you who had to suffer through a non-airline career before you put on your stripes, you know what I'm talking about. This is the Best. Job. In. The. World.*
*Until, of course, the proverbial **** hits the fan, which is what pilots are really paid for. And the consequences of errors in that situation are far greater than errors made by, let's say, a VP of Marketing in some corner office somewhere. So there's that.
All I'm saying is — compared to the vast, vast majority of professionals, we pilots (well, you major airline pilots, to be specific) have it really, really good. Next time you're up in the flight levels, just think about what you could be doing instead — like most people, sitting in a grey cubicle, working twice as much for half the pay.
Maybe that will make that involuntary extension into your day off, or the hotel van showing up 30 minutes late when you've just spent 16 hours slogging across the country in the middle of Snowmageddon, sting a bit less
I gotta say, though, folks. Speaking as someone who spent 20+ years in the corporate (non-aviation world) before taking on a second job at a regional airline because I figured 7K hours of piston flying was enough, we airline pilots have it really, really good.
In my day job — which I'm able to do because I bid weekend flying and split-duty trips during weeknights — I work in advertising. Actually, I run my own 50-person company. In this field, like just about any other corporate pursuit, the very concept of a job that requires one to work 100-150 days per year, and potentially earn compensation in the $300-$500K range, is simply unheard of. You'd be laughed out of any corporate interview (including mine) if you suggested a deal like that.
Typically in the higher echelons of corporate America you'll work about 2,300--2,500 hours per year, which translates into approximately 230-250 days 'worked.' (Then again, you're really 'working' every day, even if it's just three hours on a Sunday. There is no concept of 'off' days anymore...you are chained to your smartphone.)
Whereas, in aviation, when you block in and walk off the airplane, you're done. Aside from a few quarterly online training tasks — which we all do on our overnights or during Airport Appreciation time anyways — and aside from some brushup studying for recurrent, there's almost nothing we have to do when we're not on a trip. At this income level, it's impossible to have that kind of arrangement in corporate America.
All I'm saying is, we pilots are good at complaining. The food, the van times, the flow delays, management, contracts, dispatch, MX, catering, crew scheduling, reserve assignments...we'll complain about it all. But for those of you who had to suffer through a non-airline career before you put on your stripes, you know what I'm talking about. This is the Best. Job. In. The. World.*
*Until, of course, the proverbial **** hits the fan, which is what pilots are really paid for. And the consequences of errors in that situation are far greater than errors made by, let's say, a VP of Marketing in some corner office somewhere. So there's that.
All I'm saying is — compared to the vast, vast majority of professionals, we pilots (well, you major airline pilots, to be specific) have it really, really good. Next time you're up in the flight levels, just think about what you could be doing instead — like most people, sitting in a grey cubicle, working twice as much for half the pay.
Maybe that will make that involuntary extension into your day off, or the hotel van showing up 30 minutes late when you've just spent 16 hours slogging across the country in the middle of Snowmageddon, sting a bit less
As an additional counterpoint, I have flirted with taking a non flying 9-5 job that pays significantly less because guess what? My wife would be easier for my wife to work because I would home on a regular basis everyday, I could plan things weeks in advance, and my life would be more consistent allowing me to participate in a lot of activitites that I currently struggle to do (coaching my kids sports teams for example).
01-05-2018 | 04:06 AM
#199
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 15
From: 737 CAPT
Double town pay in Lax is how. Majority of our trips do not start in LAX on the bus. ONT pays the most at 165$, SNA 132$, BUR 85$. It’s paid out as non taxable per Diem, I bid ONT as my first choice because I’m 15 mins from the parking lot. Also Im generally working trips with high TAFB. 4 months in a row last year I had nearly 2k in per diem. The exact number is actually $14,125.61
01-05-2018 | 05:02 AM
#200
Line Holder
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,870
Likes: 186
At that longevity I’m thinking probably Vegas rsv cartel. It’s not normal and quite honestly shouldn’t be on here during a negotiation as it could be presented to the mediator as normal.
The sad thing is that it’s still low for an airbus captain on guarantee yet at Spirit you have to either be in the training dept or be in Vegas dropping middle rsv days waiting by the the phone for Scheduling to call you for trips and release you from other work days.
It’s sad that even with all those tactics a Spirit pilot still can’t make industry standard pay and let’s not even talk about nonexistent profit sharing and laughable retirement.
While contractually legal you are absolutely at scheduling’s mercy and if there is no open time which is completely regulated by the company or if the base becomes better staffed- poof there goes the money and instead of making legacy Fo money you’re back to making rj captain money
The sad thing is that it’s still low for an airbus captain on guarantee yet at Spirit you have to either be in the training dept or be in Vegas dropping middle rsv days waiting by the the phone for Scheduling to call you for trips and release you from other work days.
It’s sad that even with all those tactics a Spirit pilot still can’t make industry standard pay and let’s not even talk about nonexistent profit sharing and laughable retirement.
While contractually legal you are absolutely at scheduling’s mercy and if there is no open time which is completely regulated by the company or if the base becomes better staffed- poof there goes the money and instead of making legacy Fo money you’re back to making rj captain money
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