Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Airline Pilot Forums > Regional
To Take the bonus or not? >

To Take the bonus or not?

Notices
Regional Regional Airlines

To Take the bonus or not?

Old 03-18-2019, 07:36 PM
  #1  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Position: A320 First Officer
Posts: 88
Default To Take the bonus or not?

I used to fly profesionally from 2005-2012 left the business now I'm getting back in. I have iterviewed and accepted a position with a regional that offers a sign on bonus. Only downfall is that it has a 2 year comitment that comes with it.


I have 3200ish total, 2800ish in a pc12 and 2300ish of that is pic in the pc12. All of the PC12 time was 91k for a company in the Northeast. Do I have a chance of making it to a Major prior to the two year mark once I get back at it or do I take he bonus?
flippedr6 is offline  
Old 03-18-2019, 07:51 PM
  #2  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 72
Default

Take the bonus and hold on to it. If you make it two years, pocket it. If you don't, pay it back. Don't let a regional get away with two years of your time without coughing up the dough.

As far as the majors go, there are thousands of guys who aren't getting looks from the majors, guys who have similar hours to yours, or more, but their turbine time is in multi-engine transport category jets, not in a light single-engine turboprop that doesn't require at type.

If you have a shot at the majors, it won't be because of your flight experience. It will be because of the other factors that go into their algorithms, and the intangibles.
PeteyT is offline  
Old 03-18-2019, 08:12 PM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,948
Default

Good luck getting the tax money back. Employers want the pre-tax amount. Most of them will let you defer payment until it’s “earned”.
DarkSideMoon is offline  
Old 03-18-2019, 08:16 PM
  #4  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 72
Default

Originally Posted by DarkSideMoon View Post
Good luck getting the tax money back. Employers want the pre-tax amount. Most of them will let you defer payment until it’s “earned”.
You'll get it back on your taxes. At the worst case you're out a minority portion of your bonus (at your marginal tax rate) until the next tax season. And there are ways to mitigate that.
PeteyT is offline  
Old 03-18-2019, 09:54 PM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: May 2017
Position: 175 CA
Posts: 1,285
Default

If you get picked up by a major, paying the bonus back will be the least of your concerns.
Varsity is offline  
Old 03-19-2019, 06:52 AM
  #6  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,888
Default

I second the above. Take the bonus and park it someplace safe earning interest. If you leave before the two years pay it back.
Blackhawk is offline  
Old 03-19-2019, 07:04 AM
  #7  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: May 2018
Posts: 62
Default

2 year commitment for a sign-on bonus? I believe Air Wisc gives you an initial 5,000 with your first paycheck and then an additional 26,000 at the completion of IOE. 5,000 is yours, 26,000 requires the 2 year commitment. Which other regionals are requiring a 2 year commitment?
dino87 is offline  
Old 03-19-2019, 07:55 AM
  #8  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Irishblackbird's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Aug 2014
Posts: 444
Default

Another thing to consider is that most bonuses are structured so that they are prorated monthly. So if you only work a year you may only have to pay back half of that amount.
Irishblackbird is offline  
Old 03-19-2019, 08:47 AM
  #9  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Position: A320 First Officer
Posts: 88
Default

Thanks for the input guys, I apreciate it. The bonus is paid out 5k first week then the rest at end of IOE.
flippedr6 is offline  
Old 03-19-2019, 08:54 AM
  #10  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Feb 2017
Posts: 151
Default

I would also add that generally speaking the bigger the bonus the worse the hourly rate. If you think you might not get all of your bonus or have to pay some back a higher hourly rate with less bonus might make more sense. Obviously, there is a lot that goes into picking the right airline for you but you may want to take a look at that.
05Duramax is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GoJet Recruiter
GoJet
22
07-27-2018 03:47 AM
AeroCrewSolut
Hiring News
18
01-13-2018 03:12 AM
lakehouse
Envoy Airlines
179
04-11-2016 04:50 AM
14Kayr
Regional
94
02-28-2014 06:43 AM
RockBottom
Major
6
03-14-2006 09:49 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices