I read these posts and feel very poor. I can remember when I was a Pvt in the Army making 18k a year and my wife and I got along just fine. Now I work for a Major Airline in Dispatch making twice that. Now My wife and I feel like we just barley get by(part of the Problem is inflation and cost if living keeps going up). Basically the more you make the more you spend, so everyone needs take control of of their spending habits, but yes aviation is getting bad. I blame it on greedy Airline VP-Directors and other Executives.
Management are the only one making good money in the airlines. Just my 2 cents.

 

ok. plus, they have about the highest suicide rate of any profession!

 

My mom has never made more than $50k/yr...she and my dad got divorced when I was 2, and she never remarried, nor has she received child support. She raised two kids on her own, in newport beach, and I did go to college.

Its called living within your means, budgeting and sacrificing unnecessary things.

Does that mean I want to live my whole life only making 50k? Hell no. But at least I know that even with the declining airline wages, I will be able to manage.

 

Ya, I would love to have a bullseye on my chest and make 100K.

 

Not in Seattle with 3 kids AND have options like private school and child care. Oh sure, it can be done. I'm doing it. But, my retirement plans counts on me getting a raise. Maybe you have not taken a realistic look at what you will need in retirement.

It IS a good thing I'm a pilot.

He could live in San Jose. They can make 100K easily. Also, Cops have very generous disability plans. San Jose cops have up to 90% disability available after they make seniority.

Guilty. I like the good life because I had the good life. I grew up in a big house and traveled but my parental units never paided for flying or college or any of those things. Still haveing a stable comfortable home upbringing made achievieng all that much easier.

Your mom got the house in the divorce, no? I wonder how she would manage a family in Newport Beach today and buy a house. Never underestimate how much more difficult it is today to raise a family than it was when we were kids.

Listen all you knuckleheads, you need to make as much as you can, while you can because this career is VERY volatile. Ask a Delta or United guy how his financial situation is today compared to before 911. Many many pilots have gone from the top to the bottom in a heartbeat. In addition to medical, your career could end for a multitude of reasons of which you have no control. Sure, If you could earn 150K/yr every year for a 30 year career, you can make it. No doubt. But, you will very likely not have a 30 year career of uninterrupted earnings. You all understand that right? Now does anyone have any questions?

 

No street cop is making over $100k (without working a massive amount of overtime), the only guys making $100k are Sheriffs, Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs, and maybe Captains for the larger departments. These are the same people who have been on the job for 25+ years. Most Police Officers retire at or before making Lieutenant, let alone Captain (especially in the larger departments).

Further a lot of these guys who are pulling in the big bucks as cops, are working massive amounts of overtime, and use maybe 4 sick days in 25 years. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to bring in over $100k as a cop, along with a lot of years on the job, not to mention you are constantly dealing with people who have no respect for you. The pay and benefits are decent, but just like with an airline career, there are a lot of negatives, and there are a lot of effects on the family as well.

 

I know, I love her..........................

 

Man that is tough living right there. Sounds like $200k and your just making it by in Seattle. I wonder how the average resident of Seattle is able to make it on a meager $41,634 a year, which is 26% over the national average yearly income (2004).

 

Really? Check out the recruitment page for the San Jose police dept. http://www.joinsjpdblue.com/
At the top it says the top step officer pay is $107,835. I believe that is for patrol officers. I don't know how long it takes to get to the top step though. Also notice how they are actively recruiting guys to come over from other departments and offering credit for longevity. Retirements of 90% after 30 years and 70% after 25 years.

Don't get me wrong. I would not like to be a cop. But your rebuttal tries to discount the argument by pointing out that only sheriffs and Chiefs etc get the top pay. OF COURSE. As we progress in our careers shouldn't we expect to make detective, Lieutenant, chief or whatever. I would equate it to upgrade for pilots. (I know not everyone makes chief.)

 

Look into the forecasts for the boomer retirements forthcoming. You will LEARN that there is a crisis on the horizon and the average $41K is not cutting it.

Here is another thing to consider when it comes to wages. When you see a statistic talking about average wages, consider that a great many people in this country don't earn a wage. They are small business owners or sole proprieters.

RAISE YOUR EXPECTATIONS PEOPLE! then maybe you will be able to negotiate something other than your pitiful $35K/yr.