Erm...I did it too. Not counting per diem. Helped that they were cramming new hires through as fast as they could and I was having trips bought once or twice a month for training and then picking up a trip in the same foot print for 150% pay. Picked up short turns at 150% that were subject to DPM (meaning 1.5 hour turn that has to be paid at the daily minimum of 3.75 hours). Yaddy yadda, its what your contract says that matters. The company knows how to take advantage of it, so you should too.

This year (3rd year) was about the same amount of pay as second year. Got the bump for longevity but there was less FBOing, no more open time pickup (guys furloughed, up to our eyeballs in reserves) and a pay cut.

PS Living in base helps.

 

Airline pilots, after more than $100,000 spent on training and school, will start their pay anywhere from $14,000-$24,000 annually for their first year depending on the airline. The lucky ones will get in the 30's their second year. 80hrs/week and 4-6 days completely away from home boils down to LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE for the first 2-3 YEARS as a pilot.

Demand more from your airline: Pilots save lives everyday. If you fly, a pair of pilots will one day save your life without you ever knowing it, they will simply smile and thank you flying with them and go do it again without any kind of fanfare, only a pat on eachothers back.

Oh yeah, first year at any regional sucks an d i dont recommend it (i have done it twice, and now on furlough, i get to be poor for another year and 6 months after that if im lucky enough to be called back) if not, i get to try for regional number 3! wow, this is the life i dreamed of

 

I grossed $43,000+/-, but after taxes, SS, and ALPA dues I cleared $34,000.

 

Life as a furloughed first-year regional pilot:
6 AM, 11 AM, or whenever you get out of bed: Get up. Skip shaving, taking a shower, or even, well, you don't want to know. Fire up the computer.
WU (wake up) + 1h (hour): Surf multiple online job sites
WU + 2h: Surf multiple online forums that sometimes contain job leads.
WU + 3h: Post response to some forum that has nothing to do with getting a job.
WU + 4h: Check fridge for breakfast, nothing in fridge. Check cupboard, nothing in cupboard.
WU + 4.1h: Call unemployment office to see when last check was sent out, sit on hold for one hour, oh last week.
WU + 5.2: Throw on pants and shirt, stumble out to mail box, yep, check's there. Check mirror, comb hair, head to bank to deposit/cash check. Head to grocery store to stock pantry for a day or two, not more as one can't afford it plus you never know when you might have to go somewhere for an interview.
WU + 6.5-10.5: Apply for a bunch of jobs marginally qualified for, not qualified for, or grossly overqualified for (want fries wit dat?).
WU + 10.5-12.0: Surf multiple online forums that sometimes contain job leads. Post response to some forum about not being able to find a job.
WU + 12: Give up on job market and start in on WII or equivalent.
WU + 16: Dinner.
WU + 17: Bed time.

 

Places like Express Jet, AWAC, can make over 40 close to 50 if your a line holder. ASA has some decent pay but i cant say for certain what there clearing. Work rules are very important as far as your pay and QOL. Hell my last 4 day i flew 3 revenue flights every thing else was cancelled because of a windshield change in IND. Blocked around 7hours but thanks to duty and trip rig i was paid close to 24.

 

Wow...you nailed my day on the head! Well minus shelling out tons of (imaginary) money on a girlfriend...


Who woulda thunk that having two college degrees makes you LESS qualified to work...

I hate this society...

 

Why, dare I ask, would anybody want to become an airline pilot, and why did you all, if the pay, and work rules are so horrid? I'm just an outsider, but if things are so bad, why do it? I understand it is a passion, but flying is a passion that can be fulfilled, without making it a career.

I am just a lurker, for the most part, but have a friend who is a captain for a regional airline. He seems to make good money. I Just don't understand why you do it, if you think it is that bad.

 

I cleared $50K my second and third year at XJT, without breaking much of a sweat. It's called block or better! Also having a hub in EWR helps. Picking up trips back in the day, and now advertise also helps.

I averaged close to 100 to 110 hours credit a month with the exception of my two months of vacation, that plus per diem and I broke $50K second year. Like Saab said, you just have to know how to work the system (within the context of the contract of course).

 

Oh yes... Because you're usually lazy about posting here with only 4-5000 posts on this forum. BS!


50k on 2nd year pay is not normal for an FO!

 

Again, at XJT, the average is $40-45K, and for those who work a little harder, it's very easy to hit 50K and still enjoy at least 14 days off. It's all in the contract....I have the w2's to prove it.