Regional life away from the airplane
 

I was curious as to when life became livable for you guys working at regional airlines... 1 year in? 2 years? Once you upgraded? Or is it still tough? My definition of livable is not being forced to live with parents, not qualifying for food stamps, making enough where you can pay for your essentials plus put money away for yourself and family, and maybe even making enough money where you can fill up your car with gas without it making you wince in physical pain as you watch the total creep towards $50 for one tank full. Basically, how long did it take for you to become comfortable (not necessarily happy still) with the financial issues of this line of work? I do know that it varies quite a bit from airline to airline, but I just wanted a general idea as I'm getting pretty close to this level of flying.

Another question I had was about relationships, without getting too intense with relationship talk, is it hard to sustain something serious coming out of college with that kind of paycheck? I most likely will be in this position, knock on wood. I'm sure tying the knot is quite difficult to do some of the first year FO regional pay out there... I'd like to hear your thoughts, thanks in advance!

I was hired in AWAC in early January of 2006, and I made $25,000 including per-diem my first year. I lived in IND for the first 9 months of that, the last 3 I lived in Frederick MD.

My wife and I got married in late May, just after she graduated college. On my salary and with her entry-level job pay (very low 20s also) we were able to cover all living expenses including nearly $600/mo in student loan debt even with me putting 10% of my income into 401k. We even managed to save a few thousand dollars that first year, even after the move to Frederick thanks to my wife getting a new job that paid MUCH better.

We had ZERO debt other than student loans, drove 10 year old cars, didn't have expensive hobbies or tastes and didn't eat out often.

Its not hard, it only takes discipline and a HUGE aversion to debt.

Budgeting and MS Money can be a pilot's best friend.

I made 33K my first year at a regional with per diem. I have a HUGE amount of debt. When I was younger I wasnt smart with my money and am currently trying to pay studentloans, credit cards, and 2 car payemnts.

Amazingly if you do it right it is possible. We are getting married next year and paying for it entirely ourselves by simply putting 70 dollars away a paycheck. It turns out that makes 5 $70 deposits a month which is about the only way you wont feel it. We live nicely and combined make about 49K a year combined.

I got married while still in college. Now thats tough! After we graduated I got a job at eagle and she started working for a hospital system in the accounting dept. Four years later I made a little over 40,000 last year at eagle and she cleared 85,000 before her year end bouns. Long story short, marry rich!!!

I enganged a rich girl!!! But yes, the low pay does suck when your mortgage is twice what you make after taxes come out.

OK honestly yes it's do-able. If you don't have a significant other who makes decent money, or are by yourself, it's still do-able provided:

You live with roommates or in a crashpad
You drive an old car with minimal insurance
You have reasonable expectations on what you can do with your budget
You don't accept the job if you cannot make ends meet

Here's the deal - plan on around $1300/month take home at most of the jet regionals. That's strictly guarantee pay. If you can make this work with your budget you'll be fine. If you cannot make it work DON'T TAKE THE JOB. There are other places out there that pay $40k and up outside of the regionals if you are willing to move. Flight Express (no car or apartment needed in some cases) CFI'ing out west for the international flight academies, etc.