They don't care as long as the price is right.

1013dot25hPa

I hear the argument all the time about how this job makes x amount of money. If you spend you life chasing the all mighty dollar, you will live a miserable life. Don't base your self worth on the size of your paycheck. Do what you love to do and the money will follow, or it won't matter 'cause you'll be happy with yourself. If you don't like flying for a living and all that comes with it, QUIT! You need to evaluate why you got into flying.

 

Wow, man, sound like you guys are actually defending the fact that you are getting paid not nearly enough. You take it way too personal and the wrong way. You should take offense when somebody tells you that you are making just the right amount of money for the job you are doing. Simply amazing! You guys make it sound like that it's right. It's not; it used to not be this way. Remember?

I'm not bashing guys, simply pointing out that a relatively easy job, like driving a forklift, pay's so much more than a flying gig. Not right in my opinion. Don't get your panties in a wad!

While it's true that you make 50K+ after 2 or 3 yrs (currently for some and heavily dependent on which outfit you fly for), that is still only 10K more than that forklift driver and you know what, I bet that guy doesn't have to pay off massive amounts of student loans. The forklift driver will still be netting more than you do.

No, you're right, my wife didn't make close to 90K right of the bat. However she started out in the high K40's. It's unionized. Is it a boring job being a machinist running multi million-dollar earth moving equipment? My wife doesn't think so, she absolutely loves it. Good for her doing something she loves to do and making good money at it.

As for me, I very recently got my dream job but was in your position for way too long. If it wasn't for my wife at that time, I'd be homeless. I know several of you guy's are close to that point. Or living with multiple roomies.

How can you defend that? Where are you going from here? Honestly, after you have moved to the left seat making 50K some, what then? The real majors aren't hiring and won't be for some time. Unless off-course you consider JetBlue and SWA and the likes majors.

 

Exactly, Then what?? The odds of making it to a major still are not that good even for a regional captain. If you were to get a job with a major then you can look forward to 10 more years trying to get back what you lost leaving the regional. All the while the guy who fixes your toilet is making more than you. By the time you have made it to anyplace reasonable you wife will be retired. I think you are on to something.

SkyHigh

 

Exactly Skyhigh. You might be getting my point.

There are very few high paying flying jobs out there. No majors with the exception of UPS and FedEx that hire only a few every so many years. And a small percentage of high paying corporate jobs.

However, my wife as mentioned before, is NOT an exception... In her line of work, operating multi-million dollar equipment, in essence not too far removed from what we are doing, salaries are high. Much higher than flying jobs and there are plenty jobs like hers out there unlike high paying flying jobs.

Also truck drivers will make more money over the span of their careers than most pilots will make over the span of their careers. And I cannot believe that a forklift driver might. Good Lord, I will never think the same of the forklift driver I see at the local distribution center.

I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out that the majority of new pilots will get hired by the regional airlines and unfortunately retire with them as well.

It's fantastic that you are doing something that you love to do, no doubt about it! I love flying as well, and love what I do for a living. That doesn't change the FACT that salaries are far too low as compared to other jobs especially when you consider what it took to become a pilot, the life we live, the responsibility we bear every day and the unfortunate fact that we can loose our jobs when we don't pass that next medical exam or that next checkride.

 

I have had this same conversation with many of my friends over the years. I too come to this same conclusion years ago but it is difficult to pull the plug on such a deeply embedded dream. In my case I had to have my company go under before I was able to break free. Had they not failed I bet I would still be there low wages and all.

SkyHigh

 

Hey guys:

You know, last night as I was taking my nightly stroll, I thought about the starting pay scales...(keyword is starting)...of FO's at some regionals. Although, I may not know the in's and outs of the industry, making 24K and actually working 5 1/2 to 6 months out of the year ain't bad IMO. I'm sure domicile, work rules and all of that comes into play. I'm sure I'll learn more as time and career progressess.

The other thing of interest was a post made on the Majors thread about age 60 retirement. AFAIC, I may have a shot at a 20 year career.

 

Dear atpwannabe,

You might make it to the left seat at a regional but most will not progress beyond that milestone. If you are interested in earning a living and have an eye on what other industries pay for similarly qualified workers you will see that pilots wages are woefully low and getting lower. Besides I think your estimate of time spent at work is off by quite a bit.

In regards to your "age 60" post; The results of expanding the work rules to age 65 will be that there will be an overnight increase of 14% more pilots out there who are well ahead of you. You might not even get a shot at the regionals without the retirements. By the time your number is up to interview you could be well past 45. Most regionals avoid hiring older pilots as newbies.

SKyHigh

 

Oh, believe you me SkyHigh...I'm not going to limit myself to just the regionals. That would be shortsightedness on my part. I plan to pursue Part 135 as well.

If all else fails, I may be able to return to airport management. Got a letter from FLL a couple of days ago.

 

Good deal Atpwannabe !! What is an FLL ?

SkyHigh

 

Position is w/Broward County Aviation Operations Department @ Fort Lauderdale International Airport (KFLL). Starting salary is @ 28K, Florida Retirement System...which is one of the best in the nation.

May have to work wknd & holidays, but that's ok.