Express Jet 1st year FO paycheck w/ Family Insurance
 

I received such great responses on my question about American Eagle pay. So, I'm asking the same question now for Express Jet:

What can a first year FO at Express Jet expect for take-home pay per month, including per diem, after taxes, with FAMILY health insurance (employee + 4) and dental, WITHOUT contributing to 401k? Numbers for reserve FOs and line FOs would be appreciated!

Looking at payscales, I can see that the hourly rates are similar between Express Jet and American Eagle, but I know that #hrs per month may differ, as may the premiums for family health insurance.

Thanks in advance for the helpful replies!

Sorry to start the thread off on a bad note, but what can a first year FO expect? You mean other than voluntary furlough? I mean, bottom line, last I heard they still weren't hiring, but I may be wrong.

I know they're not hiring now, but someone "in the know" has told me they will begin again soon. I'd like to be armed and dangerous with all pertinent info when the light turns green...

Last I heard from "very reliable sources" was new hire classes would not start until September and that there is already a decent sized pool waiting on class dates. The fact that they are looking for 150 FOs who would like some voluntary time off should be pretty telling.

This "in the know" someone...do they consider one year to be "soon" ?

First year pay at XJT is $23.15/hour. Minimum monthly guarantee is 75 hours. You will probably not break MMG while on reserve. That equates to $1736.25 a month.

If you are a line holder, you can expect to fly about 88 hours ($2037.20) with a TTAB of about 300 hours and per diem at $1.70/hour, you should see about $500 a month in non-taxable per diem.

Medical benefits for the family will range from $30-$200. Dental will be between $58-$98 and vision will cost $24.31. LTD will cost $12.15 but you can opt out of it. The company will match 100% of the first 4% you contribute to your 401k. By not contributing at least 4% you are leaving money on the table. Your contributions will also lower your tax liability.

As for "take home pay" it will depend on what you put on your W4 and what state you live in.

As for hiring, I don't see XJT hiring anyone before August. Good luck.

Here is some shorthand math I did...

Currently monthly min guarantee on reserve is $1736.25 before tax.
*You should figure out your own after tax since it varies state to state and you have kids.

Per Diem varies between $300-$600 month depending on much you fly. I have been around $500 lately. *This is tax free as long as it isn't a day trip.

*I put a rough estimate of taxes and medical taken out on the right.
Reserve pilot (75 hours)
Base: $1736.25 / $1400
PerDiem: $400 / $400
Total after tax/medical: $1800

Line pilot (90 hours)
Base: $2083.50 / $1600
PerDiem: $500 / $500
Total after tax/medical: $2100

Now for December I flew actually only 68 hours, but credited ~105 hours and made $3000. XJT pays 100% for deadheads and guarantees each leg at a block or better. Also your credit time for the trip is protected if they cancel a bunch of legs. Once you reach 71.25 hours for the month the must pay you 3.75 hours extra for each day you are still on reserve, but they have to bypass you for other pilots still below 60 hours, so I was never used at the end. They could have released me for the month, but chose not to, but hey, I got paid flight time to sit around! You also get 150% pay for rolling days off as well. (this is why I had so few flight hours but a lot of pay). After taxes, medical, and 401K I was probably left with $2,500.

I would highly suggest putting in XJT's 401K as they match 4% your 1st year and give you an additional 2.5% contribution. This comes out to 6.5% given to you by the company for only putting in 4%!

And I would count the better part of a year on reserve at most Regionals these days (inclulding your time in training), and certainly XJet...

I made just around $36,000.00 my first year, a lot of day trips so some per-diem took a beating.


There will not be a new hire class for a while

First year FO at XJT makes more than me.. second year BE190 capt at Colgan.. ouch!