Lol. Let’s go ahead and break down what you posted.

First, why does a Caravan operator need a probationary pay rate for their SICs? That in and of itself is a joke. A probationary rate to sling gear in an airplane you can’t sling gear in. Second, even if you do get 100 hours a month and not the guarantee, you are taking home an incredible $1,200 a month (before tax). Also after the 6 months, your pay doesn’t double. According to their own job posting it goes to anywhere between $18-21 an hour, with no mention of how they determine who gets what range. That’s still pretty awful.

Also if you are willing to CFI in a major metropolitan area you can easily clear those pay rates by being a CFI. Like I said earlier, I can clear the min guarantee probationary rate of Southern by simply towing gliders 3 days a week. Beyond that, once you hit 500 hours other doors will start to open in the survey, pipeline patrol, VFR 135 in Arizona, etc... (all of which are starting to hire again) that will pay you a live-able wage. Stick around a little longer and you start to be competitive for some quality SIC gigs at places like PlaneSense, Tradewind, and CapeAir. Not long after that you are able to be in line for Part 135 PIC jobs.

This line of thinking is so wrong.

 

It's an option - that is all. One that is working out beautifully for my other half.

 

The excuse “your job has better room for advancement than mine so you should be paid less to start” doesn’t work for me. No, I should be paid more than the burger flipper/chicken fryer to start.

“ Second Level = You fly for free”. Nope. Maybe in years past that was acceptable, not today. This is not an internship in some cubicle farm.

You have every right to your opinions and paths you choose, as do I. You are welcome to disagree with myself and others on here. I am only trying to advocate for those who have already invested much time & money just to earn poverty wages. It’s time to break this nonsense when there is talk of a mandatory minimum federal $15/hr minimum wage. Which would immediately depreciate the value of a newly minted CPL.

 

Re the Four Levels of flying -

ITS SARCASM PEOPLE....but based on experience. I'm not advocating for it, just telling it like it is. For god sakes, look at my handle.........oh, and lighten up.

 

Turbine airline experience? Holy cow thats funny in a Caravan.
i made 50K as SIC at a 135 that has the same hiring mins as SAE.
Choosing SAE over Tradewind is like choosing Mesa over Spirit.

 

Alright, alright... I chuckled a bit when I read that, I’ll admit it. But there are people out there, pilots and companies alike, that still believe it’s “your dues” to fly for free or for peanuts all while being treated like crap.

 

Tradewinds wants 800-1200 tt, not 500 tt.

 

Posted an actual mins are two different things. I got hired with 650 hours.

 

At Tradewinds, or Southern Airways Exp.?

 

Hello,
I have a phone interview with Julie on Wednesday. Any tips for that or training?