No sense asking where you work..

 

Being an airline pilot is like that hot girl (or guy for the females like you) you lust over so bad. It can turn out to be so lucrative and fulfilling, or can leave you in the dumps with something you can't scratch off. It's a risky business.

 

1st year regional pay is not pretty, but a starbucks 'barista' doesn't have anywhere CLOSE to the earning potential of a pilot starting a career today. Not even in the same universe. There are a million variables, but this is truly a ridiculous comparison because you really seem to believe it.

 

It's about timing, economics, luck and thought. What was yesterdays darling could be tomorrows bust. Three of four you cannot control.

 

And your right, in the long run or however long that might take you. How many people make over 100,000 a year. But, being such an unstable profession you better love flying more than money.

 

And truthfully, I have taken a look at what else is out there. And I can't find anything else I would rather do. (Unless going back to college) After being so negative, there're a lot more people who have it worse with no future job progression hopes. But with the time and money invested I believe regional FO pay should be much higher.

 

Don't we all? But as long as regionals offer TPIC, pilots will line up for whatever pay they're offering. As long as regionals command that authority, we will be stuck with the crappy pay. Look at Great Lakes for example... Look at how much their pilots are making yet they still have pilots willing to apply. We are in a way "accepting" the low pay in hopes to get hired by a major or corporate and regionals know that.

 

We all review and analyze jobs/careers differently, come from different work experiences and have varying job goals.

The starting pay is low for US regionals, including the $22/hr at Skywest.....much better first yr FO pay at some of the Canadian regionals like Jazz, but many factors involved in that for another discussion.

Unfortunate the 1500 hr rule didn't include a min FO pay "rider" of $30-$40/hr, but the Feds stayed away from that issue....communication with your elected representatives may yield positive results.

For pilots transitioning from 135 (24/7/365) to 121, the "only" 3500 hours a year from base is likely an improvement in QOL.....so is bidding a schedule, 10-12 days off per month, vacation/sick time, salary increases, Captain pay and more.

For someone seeking short term (2-5 yrs) employment, Starbucks or Costco may be the way to go.....for those seeking a career of flying, regional flying is an option, but not a requirement for a pilot career.

 

Well, looks like there is change in the right direction, little change but change if we take the example of Lakes. It seems to me they are not getting 1500h candidates, they are canceling flights and someone posted they will be closing bases. I do not think Lakes will survive if things stay the way they are, unless they come up with something.

 

Everyone who complains about first year pay I can see doesn't see past the $$$ sign... How about other ways to make money, like your duty rig? 4:1? 2:1? Cancellation pay? Per diem? Upgrade times?, etc... I'm not speaking specifically for Mesa, even though this is a Mesa thread, I'm just pointing out more than just the front page $ sign. Yes, first year pay ANYWHERE you go in the regionals suck. If you don't like it, fix it or deal with it. Just sayin' .