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Airline Pilot: One of the Highest Paying Jobs in the US

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Airline Pilot: One of the Highest Paying Jobs in the US

Old 06-07-2006, 01:51 PM
  #1  
Wonder-er
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Default Airline Pilot: One of the Highest Paying Jobs in the US

Just a young wonderer seeking for answers.

While I was researching about job salaries, I constantly see airline pilots in the top 10 highest paying jobs. It says that airline pilots earn $120k+ yearly, almost as high as doctors. Evidently, these numbers can only be achieved by the most experienced in the industry. Well, with this much earnings, major airline pilots are probably, or should be, rich people; maybe almost as rich as doctors. And I read that some pilots have other professions other that flying, thus further increase earnings. I know this is highly arguable, thats why im posting this thread.
However, despite all these earnings, why (according to what ive read) pilots are somewhat poor?

Im very naive but very interested in this induestry. Please shed me some light. Thanks!
 
Old 06-07-2006, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Wonder-er
Just a young wonderer seeking for answers.

While I was researching about job salaries, I constantly see airline pilots in the top 10 highest paying jobs. It says that airline pilots earn $120k+ yearly, almost as high as doctors. Evidently, these numbers can only be achieved by the most experienced in the industry. Well, with this much earnings, major airline pilots are probably, or should be, rich people; maybe almost as rich as doctors. And I read that some pilots have other professions other that flying, thus further increase earnings. I know this is highly arguable, thats why im posting this thread.
However, despite all these earnings, why (according to what ive read) pilots are somewhat poor?

Im very naive but very interested in this induestry. Please shed me some light. Thanks!
This is a lucrative business indeed, however the journey to the top of the food chain is long. There will be plenty of eating Ramen along the way. Those numbers are from the top positions with Major carriers, and represent a minority of the group as a whole.
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Old 06-07-2006, 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by desertdog71
Those numbers are from the top positions with Major carriers, and represent a minority of the group as a whole.
In other words, to call that number the "average airline pilot" salary is misleading. The average of ALL airline pilots, and not just those very few, would be much less. Not a lucrative profession at all.
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Old 06-07-2006, 03:01 PM
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Well, in reality, in any profession, earnings starts fairly low. Maybe, just maybe, as low as an airline pilot. Im almost certain that doctors doesnt earn up to 100k/yr in their first employments, as well as airline pilots. However, is the gradual increase of salary over experience in industry of an airline pilot would equal that of a doctor? Lets say 10yrs of experience in both profession.
Again, im very naive of these kind of stuff, I dont understand a lot of stuff, im just a high school kid trying to figure out what to do in the future.

Last edited by Wonder-er; 06-07-2006 at 03:05 PM.
 
Old 06-07-2006, 04:08 PM
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Doctors, lawyers, even CPAs, start out with such high salaries in comparison to a starting regional airline pilot (notice I said starting AIRLINE pilot--a pilot will have had years of other low-paying flying jobs before even getting that regional airline job) that the POSSIBLE eventual earnings of a senior airline pilot still don't balance out the criminally low wages one contends with early on. Remember: decent wages earned earlier are FAR more valuable in the long run, provided they're invested properly, than high wages later in a career.
Now about those "possible" earnings: since it's such a small minority of pilots that ever reach (and remain at) top levels, their salaries can't really be included in an accurate "expected" future earnings estimate. A regional airline pilot will see a steady progression in pay during his time with that company, but never to the level of the majors. After some time (ten years is borderline wishful thinking) he MAY land that job with the majors, in which case he can expect the high earnings as his seniority advances, provided there are no furloughs/bankruptcies/buyouts along the way, which are all but guaranteed to happen. Because of these factors, an airline pilot's salary progression can't really be compared to the reasonable expectation of salary advances over ten years of experience as a doctor.
Another issue is lateral mobility. In most fields, a qualified individual can leave a firm and expect the same or higher compensation with a new firm. Airline pilot salaries are seniority-based within each company, so leaving one company means an automatic reduction in pay to the lowest level in the new company, and a number of years must be spent climbing the ladder all over again, still with the danger of furloughs/bankruptcies/buyouts.

Last edited by Uncle Bose; 06-07-2006 at 08:07 PM.
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Old 06-08-2006, 09:23 AM
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My conception is Piloting is the best job once can have. Who here in this forum would trade a 777 office to eventually work in a law office. Remember people, flying take time, its hard work, god damn I havent even been as far as most of you guys but I have friends and I know. The beauty of it is... "Once You Get To The Top, Your There". If you all weren't determined folks who have what it takes, you wouldn't have re-searched the net and found this site. That has alot to say. I have friends in law school as well. I also know people who have attended law school and didnt make it (hint hint). They figured it was too muich work, completeing a degree, then that whole law school situation, then going in and not being able to get up directly. Even lawyers try push for something better, they want to be a judge, well that takes time, not until your around 50. Pilots can push for more as well with the right mind-frame. A Thomson Cook 757 Capt. with experience and a good degree can eventually push for that exec position and make $500 K USD. annually!

"Determination Is Key! Although This Is Repetitive. Remember: You Can DO ANYTHING You Put Your Mind To"

P.S. Even take Bush's position. That'd Be sSOmething To Put YOur Mind To. Just A Thought!
 
Old 06-08-2006, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Uncle Bose
In most fields, a qualified individual can leave a firm and expect the same or higher compensation with a new firm. Airline pilot salaries are seniority-based within each company, so leaving one company means an automatic reduction in pay to the lowest level in the new company, and a number of years must be spent climbing the ladder all over again, still with the danger of furloughs/bankruptcies/buyouts.

Then there's that! Which is unfortunate! It should be a fixed rate, $90 K to start
 
Old 06-08-2006, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Golden Flyer
"Determination Is Key! Although This Is Repetitive. Remember: You Can DO ANYTHING You Put Your Mind To"
That's a nice little phrase to hang on an office wall next to a diploma from Podunk Community College, and in many cases it's accurate enough. However, in the airlines, due to management factors beyond any pilot's control, all the hard work and perserverance in the world wouldn't decrease those furlough/pay cut/bankruptcy odds in the slightest.
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Old 06-08-2006, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Wonder-er
Again, im very naive of these kind of stuff, I dont understand a lot of stuff, im just a high school kid trying to figure out what to do in the future.

Hey wonder-er. Go do what you love to do, whether it's flying or not, and don't worry about how much it pays. If you love it and you're good at it the money will come.
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Old 06-10-2006, 01:06 PM
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If you can find a job that doesn't feel like work, then you've got it made. Just remember the more money you make, the more you'll spend! I remember making $900 a month and thinking I was "rich"....

It's all relative.
 
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