Oh Lord, you are going to be sorely disappointed if you stay with airline flying. There is nothing more expensive to an airline like a well informed pilot. All they want are mushrooms. Just remember, the following phrase, "4 to 6 (day, weeks, months, years,) is their favorite way to pass information. Knowledge is power, and they don't want us having any power.

FWIW, my approach is to just enjoy the time off. When they want me to fly a plane, they'll let me know. Otherwise, nothing beats getting paid to sit on my couch!

I thought the failed NA15 would have changed new hire pay by starting flight pay (reserve guarantee) after initial rating ride date. Let's make sure that remains in the language.

The one point I'm not hearing is the effect/cost of a long break in training continuity while awaiting IOE. I'm sure the discontinuity causes some new hires to require a 3rd OE trip when they could have gotten through with 2 if they had good training continuity

In any other profession new hires are paid their salary on day one. Can you imagine a top-tier law school grad finding out that he'll be on "training pay" until he passes some test? I believe Cathay and most large foreign carriers pay salary from day one. I'll never forget my newhire check ride APD. He asks if I was tired of "bleeding Delta dry" on my training pay -- and he wasn't joking. On probation so I bit my tounge.

Then again, I have to stop and remind myself this is the "always did it this way," industry.

When I started at Cathay in 2007 I got full pay, 80% per diem, and single accommodation for the full 4 months of training. The per diem itself was enormous. It was very nice. That is not the case anymore however. I believe new SO's only get one month accommodation, however I believe they still get pay and per diem. Pay and Per Diem at CX as an SO is pretty equivalent to 1st to 2nd yr Regional Pay(i.e.. the Pay is much higher but cost of living is insane!).

Worst than the new hire pay at Delta is the fact that they don't provide a hotel room while you are in training..That is the most retarded thing to expect from a highly profitable airline. American and United pilots get a hotel room, full per diem and a 75-90 hour guarantee while in training..For some reason the two airlines that claim to be the best Delta/Fedex don't even provide a hotel..

In Qatar, we get a fully furnished 3 bedroom apartment, transportation, food and a $6,500 check every month while in training from day 1..Right after training the pay jumps to $13,000 per month even during IOE

WOW! Then I don't understand why Guy's/Gal's here aren't quitting Delta/United/American/ Southwest/ UPS/Fedex, etc. and flocking to Qatar. Oh yeah. Maybe it's because it's in the Middle East.

The key operating phrase in your statement is in Qatar

Awww..now you have to attack Qatar up against all the U.S airlines..Facts are the facts..Its just that you Delta Pilots are certainly a "special" group so you get offended when truth be told..I was speaking of how poorly the new hires are treated( no hotel, no full pay) while in training and comparing it to other very reputable airlines like American, United, Qatar, etc...

My point was that when someone is considering which airline they would like to work for, they have much more to consider than just the first few months of employment. I am sure every one of the "you Delta Pilots" would strongly support new hires being compensated better than they are today.

In a microcosm everything you said is correct. It must then speak volumes that ME3 expats are trying to come home in droves while new hire DAL FOs not getting their hotels paid for and earning $4k/month on crappy new hire pay aren't even considering the ME3.