I still find it funny that a lot of publications are out there stating that Airline Pilots make awesomely great money (130k+). google it. They seem to exclude the other 75 percent that don't come close as well as the the fact that the ones that do make the good money, took a long time to get there...unlike the other professions it is classified as "making top dollar" with.

I agree. I once talked with a family member who makes a lot of money in finance. He has many interests in life. At dinner someone mentioned to him "why don't you go into the field you like (political field)." He said what are you nuts I like making money before anything else. Since then, I've been thinking, I wish I could operate mentally like he does because it makes cents. This guy really makes a crapload of money. Like insane money. I think i have to talke to him a lot more...Do what makes money. That is the bottom line.

Not necessarily...
 

I'm not trying to make waves, as I'm the FNG here, but I really have to disagree with this, at least as a general statement. Making money might be YOUR bottom line (in which case, you're in the wrong line of work), but it isn't everyone's. Not by a long shot. Yes, when it comes down to a choice between being 'rich' or 'poor', 'rich' has a lot more going for it. That said, every time in life when I've made a decision (job/career choice in particular) based solely on income, I've lived to regret it.

When you wake up in the morning trying to think of which excuse you haven't used yet this month to get out of going to work, it really begins to weigh on one's mind and cast a certain negativity over one's entire life. I've had enough experience on both sides of the fence, as it were, to be personally convinced that doing something which one finds enjoyable for work is the only realistic path to long-term happiness. Which is not to say that even a job which one 'loves' isn't still a job. There will always be bad days, no matter how much one enjoys, say, flying, over office work. That's why they call it 'work', right? :-)

Anyway, I've prattled on long enough. My only point is that regarding the almightly dollar as the 'bottom line' is a recipe for long-term unhappiness. In or out of aviation.

Regards,
Ken

Ok, so are you saying that pilots at the majors were never offered to fly RJs? Did they not fight for scope when RJs came into the picture? The way I have always understood it (and I don't remember the time it was happening) was that airline pilots at, say, DAL did not want to fly RJs. What is the true story of what happended with that then?

Well, then maybe mommy needs to get her a$$ a job then.

I've had a lot of jobs in my life and I agree with you 100%.

The problem is these pilots start having kids and the mother has to take care of them because a pilot is never around. The point was that flying is for single people and it really amounts to a part time job. It is not designed for someone to start a family on.

I don't agree.

Yeah same here, A pilot is for single people????????????????????? Thats just plain Bananas:o

Disclaimer: I'm in no way advocating that regional pay is acceptable. I am only making this argument to fire up the discussion a bit more.

The whole thing about pilots being for single people is nonsense. Sure your away from home alot, but you also get to be home a bit. I know many regional guys with great schedules. 3 days on, 4 days off.

Also, if you look at the national average on income, once your a regional captain, your above the average, or your at it.

Come on guys...$45k a year is plenty. You only have 50 people in the back depending on you, and your aircraft is only worth a few mil. Not to mention this whole nonsense about "thunderstorms". It is just a made up term that we can throw at passengers to explain why we're running late. Sometimes we just hit snooze too many times.