Airline pay in general
05-25-2007 | 04:28 PM
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just enjoying the view.
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From: Boeing 717 FO
Airline pay in general
Okay call me stupid, but really it's ignorance, I just graduated from college and learned absolutely nothing about how airline pay works 
. The pay rate shown, per diem, etc are confusing, but let me explain what I think I know and maybe someone can straighten me out if I'm going the wrong way.
Hourly rate (the time you're actually flying the damn airplane right?) lets say $20 an hour
Per Diem $1.50 an hour for each hour you are away from home but still on your 3-4 day trip right?
Oh and the time you're on duty and not flying, yeah I don't have a clue how you folks are getting paid for that or at what rate.
some airlines guarantee you X number of hours which are the full $20 an hour, hourly rate right?
any other types of pay I have no clue about, so I would appreciate any help. Thanks a bunch!
. The pay rate shown, per diem, etc are confusing, but let me explain what I think I know and maybe someone can straighten me out if I'm going the wrong way.Hourly rate (the time you're actually flying the damn airplane right?) lets say $20 an hour
Per Diem $1.50 an hour for each hour you are away from home but still on your 3-4 day trip right?
Oh and the time you're on duty and not flying, yeah I don't have a clue how you folks are getting paid for that or at what rate.
some airlines guarantee you X number of hours which are the full $20 an hour, hourly rate right?
any other types of pay I have no clue about, so I would appreciate any help. Thanks a bunch!
Last edited by j3gibbon; 05-25-2007 at 05:00 PM.
05-26-2007 | 05:45 AM
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05-29-2007 | 07:49 AM
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
There are many different variations, but basically...
Pilots get paid for block time (when the airplane is moving). The better airlines pay you the greater of scheduled block, or actual block. This you know at a minimum what you will get paid for the month, and if you incur delays (holds, ATC, deicing, etc) you get paid more.
Most pilots do not get paid directly for non-flying duty, but duty and trip rigs can provide partial compensation for time spent away from home but not flying (see above). The exception is that you normally get paid for training (classroom, online, or sim) and also for deadheads (airline travel on company business). Deadhead does NOT include your personal commute if you don't live in domicile.
They get per diem when on duty or away from domicile...so yes you get hourly per diem for the entire 4 -day trip.
Most airlines will guarantee 70-75 hours per month (at your hourly rate), even if you do nothing at all. It might be possible to sit on reserve and rarely fly depending on airline, domicile, and staffing. This blows if you need money, but if you're OK financially it can be a great deal. No per diem is associated with guarantee.
Bottom line you can fly 1000 hours per year, which would be an average of 84/month. A good round number for annual salary is to multiply your hourly rate by 1000, and add in the expected per diem. If your company has good work rules you may credit more than you block, in which case add 10-20%. A few airlines have performance bonuses which can also be significant.
Pilots get paid for block time (when the airplane is moving). The better airlines pay you the greater of scheduled block, or actual block. This you know at a minimum what you will get paid for the month, and if you incur delays (holds, ATC, deicing, etc) you get paid more.
Most pilots do not get paid directly for non-flying duty, but duty and trip rigs can provide partial compensation for time spent away from home but not flying (see above). The exception is that you normally get paid for training (classroom, online, or sim) and also for deadheads (airline travel on company business). Deadhead does NOT include your personal commute if you don't live in domicile.
They get per diem when on duty or away from domicile...so yes you get hourly per diem for the entire 4 -day trip.
Most airlines will guarantee 70-75 hours per month (at your hourly rate), even if you do nothing at all. It might be possible to sit on reserve and rarely fly depending on airline, domicile, and staffing. This blows if you need money, but if you're OK financially it can be a great deal. No per diem is associated with guarantee.
Bottom line you can fly 1000 hours per year, which would be an average of 84/month. A good round number for annual salary is to multiply your hourly rate by 1000, and add in the expected per diem. If your company has good work rules you may credit more than you block, in which case add 10-20%. A few airlines have performance bonuses which can also be significant.
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