How do you deal with people who think you make the big bucks?
 

I've noticed that when I tell people that I hope to someday be an airline pilot, the most common first reaction is "That's a cool career, they make A LOT of money too." Then I usually tell them that actually when you start out you don't make much money at all. One guy responded with, "Well it's atleast $100k starting out though right?" I'm not even close to being an airline pilot yet but I was practically embarassed to say that I might not even make $20k the first year.

How do you regional guys respond and deal with these ignorant people? You must meet people all the time and once you tell them what you do for a living I'm sure most people think you are loaded. I'm sure it's annoying as hell to hear these kinds of comments all the time.

Shrug and look away? I don't know. I was riding the train to work one day and someone asked me that. When I told him how much we make he called me a liar. That was funny. Most people are shocked when I tell them.

Good question. Your right, it never fails to hear how you as a pilot must now be rolling the cash, heard it a million times! So much in fact most of the time now I just let em think what they wanna think. Mind you, if they ever saw my house or my car, they would see the reality of working in this profession. Reminds me of going to work the other day. Unlike most at my airline I ride the Delta bus from the parking lot in ATL (our lot is overfilled). On the way, the bus driver and I got to talking, and he gave me the ole "money bags" comment. I told him he had no idea and then told him the sad truth. He was in total disbelief. The funny thing is, I found out the bus driver makes more than me. Pretty ironic, and sad all at the same time...

I think I need a drink now

carry a paycheck stub around and show it to them!

bingo...........

You grow a pretty thick skin to the comments of the uneducated and ignorant flying public. It never ceases to amaze me some of the things that come out of the mouths of "experienced flyers" who think that since they fly once a week they know all there is to know about the airline business. When someone strikes up a conversation with me and it's obvious that they are not well informed as to the realities of the profession, I do my best to honestly and politely explain how it REALLY works. Same works for weather and maintenance delays. And if all else fails and you're still a lying sack of dog doo in their eyes, a simple smile and "enjoy your day sir/ma'am" always works.

The one that you'll hear more than the "money bags" comments is the "what's your route" questions:D. Even had an agent ask me that one!

Maybe they are thrown off by the big watches!

Its easy...I dont explain. It is none of their business. My friends and family know if they ask but as for others it really never comes up in conversation.

When it does come up in conversation to someone who simply doesnt have a "need to know" I simply state the truth "I do alright."

That is the truth, I make pathetic awful money but I am good with money and so is my wife who has a great job and I do alright. But my friends who do know get a kick out of it when I name professions who make more than me to include taxi drivers, 7 eleven clerks, full time mcdonalds employees, school bus drivers and the list goes on.

I also tell them I do alright. Then I pull out a one dollar bill (the largest bill I have) and blow my nose with it (A-Rod style).

Excellent. And for the few who I would tell and who didn't believe me ... well, all I had to do was show them my car and they'd come around. :o

I usually just let them think what they want. I have a lot of people say that I must make $150,000. Then under my breath I say "In a life time".

I guess its the price to pay for having a fun job!

Just let them think what they want. You could play the part up too with Armana suits and Flowex watches! :D

I heard that....so true.

Speaking of all this, how is the ALPA vote coming along at Colgan?

Even if it IS a Timex.....and not a ROLEX. ;)

i have sent information to news agencies as well as congress. i will keep doing so until this is all made public. obviously careers are at stake if companies find out you talk to the media...but i am growing tired of waiting. if we can all start voicing to the media these problems...i.e. that we are exhausted and highly underpaid which is creating even higher stress and fatigue levels maybe the public will start to listen and demand more for us. i mean c'mon. i read an article that an everyday r.n. makes more than most 10 year regional pilots. thats pathetic!!!! cnn.com abc.com etc. send em an email!!!

If someone were to ask me how much I make I would throw it back on them and ask how much they make.

I just tell people what my hourly rate is and let them speculate from there.

Folks would then think we make precisely twice what we actually do -- 40 hour work weeks, right?!

The real crime in all this are executive / managment compensation packages. Pilots are labor..and that's alright. Someone said it earlier, its the price you pay for having a fun job. There should be a way to link mananagment compensation packages with co. performance (EPS etc). Execs making 2 or 3 times what a senior capt makes is unfair and irresponsible.

Ask them to buy you a beer.

I just tell them what I make. I have no problem discussing it with folks. I would love to see the myth of the big $$ go away.

Besides the first year, pay at most regionals for someone holding a line is decent, especially for those under 25. If you're under 25 and a Captain you're doing very well compared to most other fields.

We should send the myth to "Myth Busters" and see how they handle it.

Someone needs to find a way to make the myth a reality.

No, that's not really true. It's not difficult for someone with a college degree to find a job that pays 50-60k after a few years, which is what an under-25 regional captain would make. Most who enter the corporate world with a degree will start around 40-50k and get a raise at the end of year 1.

I like to tell them that the only way I can afford my studio apartment is to have a second job as a waitress. That always shocks people.

The other day I had a flight attendant complain about how much she makes and that she never tips the van drivers because she can't afford it. She got all "woe is me" on me and started trying to guilt trip me because I make so much more than she does. It turns out the woman makes almost 50% more than I do. I don't think she quite understood the ridiculousness of the situation but at least now she knows.

Depends on whether or not they are female...

Bingo - I generally don't get into salary discussions with strangers, but I'm forthcoming with family/friends/neighbors, and they are shocked. Sometimes I'll ask first what it is they think I make. The flying public should know how it is. Also, my neighbor came up to me one day and said you don't get paid when your flight is delayed only when the door is shut? Another surprise...

Why would you ever admit you're a pilot to a girl? Actually, why would you admit you're a pilot to anyone? I made that mistake a few times, and got harassed to hell and back by people with their stupid questions, stupid jokes that nobody laughs at, and general pompous attitude.

I just make up something when anyone asks me.

Kerosene Conversion Specialist? Check.
Classified Boeing R&D? Bingo.
Honeywell Avionics Programmer? Yep.
Pilot? Hell no.

As an FO we peak at 50K WITH per diem. As a Capt we can just see over 100K at our peak. (regionals) Since the AVERAGE american income is CNN reported today around $600.00 per paycheck (they work 40hr weeks/160 hr months). A 1st yr FO is making just around that (75hr month). So I don't see how the general public will feel bad for us. Think about it... we may not make the hundreds of thousands of dollars airline pilots used to make right away. But we still break 50K when we upgrade 3-5 yrs with company already. That is consistant with any prof. job out there for the MOST part. Would I like better pay YES! but I cannot complain when I look at other ppl. I have a buddy that works at JPL that makes 40K and that was after working for around 30K for 3 yrs under NASA/JPL department at UCLA. It is just the GODDD awfull 1st yr pay we have to overcome.

Just got the email today that the NMB approved our right to an election and the vote will take place shortly. The email stated that they expect it to be all said and done before Christmas. I may have worded the exact particulars wrong but the facts are there..we ARE having a vote for Alpa in the very near future. 75% sent cards in but I will not speculate until the vote is final. I will be at least 1 yes vote out of 450 or so.

just don't take it personally...i had some guy on a bus tell me that being a pilot has to be easy b/c all you do is sit there and nothing ever dangerous really happens...he also assumed $300,000 a year...and that if you don't fly 747s you don't have a good career...

you'll find that as soon as you put on the costume and go to the airport people feel necessary to ask you really dumb questions...like commuting out of jfk today there was an hour delay...the lady turns to me and asks why the delay? the weather isn't bad here and it's not bad in boston...you can tell them all about the airway systems, its capacity, flow control, EDCT times, etc. etc. i just told i wasn't sure why but i was sure that she'd get there and that i wanted to get there more than anything she's ever wanted in her life...then chuck norris came out of the rest room and round house kicked her...

anyways...people don't know nor can they be expected to know...i don't know how much a fishing boat captain makes...or a train conductor...so i don't expect pax to know...

I tell them I make just a bit more than the 38% of people who don't pay taxes in this country!! Of course now even I may not have to pay!!

when i was lga based with CHQ my crash pad was in east spanish harlem. i remember trying to explain to the bus driver why i "lived in the ghetto" as he put it. The public cant believe that we make as little as we do.

If you are talking about the van drivers that take you from the airport to the hotel on your overnights I would like to know what you are tipping them! I did that job 20 years ago and they tipped $0.50 and the pilots tipped $1. I have read on this board before that they are still tipping the same (20 YEARS LATER!) I missed my opportunity when I was flying on the last SWA flight in OKC two weeks back and had a chance to talk to one of the pilots after the flight. Come to find out they are back to staying at the same hotel again.

USMCFLYR

I tip $1.00 each way and usually the FA tips the same too.

I tipped them a buck if they got my bags. If they didn't, no tip. If it was a trip to grab a six pack, or maybe to a restaurant out of the way that they weren't supposed to take us to, usually more like five dollars becuase that was still way cheaper than getting a cab and I appreciated them doing that stuff for us.

You figure that in most metro areas they're probably making around $10 an hour. If they have a hotel that a lot of crews stay at they're probalby putting another $30 or more in their pocket every day they work. Not bad.

Not a bad deal. Working at the FBO (again) taking a crew over to the hotel usually buys me lunch. Some captains have asked why I'm so damn insistient on tipping (I've been known to break a $20, then wait in the lobby for the driver to return) it's probably becuase I've been on both sides of the equation.

Ummmm....to get her in bed maybe......I know....call me crazy! :D

I've also basically been called a liar when people found out what I really make. "Captain on a jet and you make that little? C'mon, they're paying you guys on the side, then right? Like secret funds?" Secret funds? Riiiight.

Still, we do have some benefits that make it seem pretty nice.

Like the two times this year I flew to Europe for basically free (less than $150 out of pocket, total expenses) in sat in First class on a United 777 and the new Business Class on United. Not bad. The folks sitting next to make paid $5000+ for their seats.

And since I can stay in Europe for free with family I get these rather nice little vacations for a song.

So, no, we don't make much. But whining about it won't go far either when we have some nice benefits too.

Like the guy who talked about the secret funds. I met him on the slopes in Park City, Utah. Flew out there for free. Stayed in Salt Lake City free. Paid only for lift tickets.

I cry a lot.