Which one, and how did you gross over 49K. For real, im not being a smart a&& but i have never heard of those kinds of numbers.

 

Not sure how many CBA's you've worked under. At my previous employer, most FO's on 2nd year of higher could gross this much. And that was on 2001-2004 RJ FO pay rates. Mainly through the language that dealt with pay concerning transition conflict, training conflict, vacation conflict, etc.

The current "industry leading" CBA I work under, don't think it's possible.

I grossed over the above number in 2002, only put about 700 hour in my logbook. Guess how much open time I picked up? You can probably figure it out.

 

My second year at XJT I did about 48-49K as well with an average of 14 days off, not uncommon when you have decent contract with a little picking up open time and red flag in the summer (pre-furloughs of course).

 

Skywest, 8 months of second year pay and 4 months of third year pay.
I was a little off not quite 49k but $48,755.

Total Credit: 1,174 hrs (includes line flying, holiday pay, 700/900 override, sim, recurrent, some voluntary JR Man, vacation)

$1,600 in bonuses
just under $5,000 in perdiem

Total Block: 934 hrs (we have duty rigs and minimum day guarantees that help bring the credit up above block time)

 

Those numbers aren't surprising at many regionals. We have many F/O's at Eagle with comparable numbers. I've made in excess of $120K/year for the last 4 years here, but you've got to be a topped out captain to do it (and creative).

If the firefighter wants to fly, he'll not see a whole lot of money for at least a year or two and then the numbers above start to become possible (45-50K). There are a lot of former big paycheck earners out there now unemployed or grossly underemployed who would LOVE 45K/year and health care for their families.

 

All the above said is true. I'm at XJT also and make about $45,000 a year. However, beware that the lifestyle can put a tremendous pressure on other factors of life. For example, does your spouse work? Will they be able to continue to work and handle the kids with you gone 4-5 days a week. How about maintenance of the home? You won't be around to help out as much as you have in the past. Will you be able to afford a merry maid service? Do you have family near by to help with kids? Also, if you have to commute, there may be times you'll find yourself in a bind, and have to start pulling out money to make your show (e.g. Renting cars, Hotel rooms, taking shuttles, taxis etc.) These are all things to factor in, and all the more reason that whether you're making $45,000 dollars or $100,000 dollars in this job, it is still insufficient...and $16,000 is downright criminal.

 

elijahmike,

I really DO think that the quiet times like now, are the ideal times to finish your ratings and be READY and WAITING for the next hiring wave. In that regard you were told the truth by ATP.

BUT-where you are in life, I agree with the others--DO NOT leave fire fighting. Find a nice plane to buy outright or get into a partnership. Live your dream that way. Honestly. You won't make enough money to buy a plane working for a regional-at least not for a long time.

Oh, and spread the knowledge. The public needs to be made aware of what working conditions are like at the airlines. The public still thinks pilots live like Ron Burgundy from the movie Anchorman. Not so, not so.

 

True, it starts out this way - I used to love the job. Love of the job just goes so far. After swimming a few laps of @#$@#$!, it starts to smell. After a hundred, it tastes bad, and after a thousand, it just isn't worth it. We may be approaching the point where people just have had their fill - and the resignations start to pile up.

After my first furlough (post 9/11), I found out I'd spent so much effort getting where I was (major airline), that I was totally unmarketable outside aviation. My degree was useless, and nobody would hire me knowing I'd like to go back when I could. After almost eighteen months of flight instruction and trying everything I could, I got hired at a non-sched cargo operater, and spent four years there. I got hired two years ago in a another "end-career" position, and am now looking at my second furlough.

Yes, I used to love it - but that won't feed the kids or keep a roof over my family. I won't work for $25 for a regional job, nor will I prostitute myself to fly 934 hours a year, away from home 28 days a month, to make $49K. This job is just not worth it. Instead, I'm gonna toss away 26 years of experience and walk away.

Hopefully, I'll find something that lets me be home each night. I do understand and am betting that someone reading this is licking their chops, thinking - 'go ahead, make space for ME'. Well, it's all yours - what's left of it.

FD

 

Yes, very doable pay. I only worked 7 months for SkyWest in 2008, and most of it was on 2nd year FO pay flying the CRJ. I earned about $27,000 for that time.

My first year FO pay at a foreign airline operating the same CRJ aircraft is $66k, plus about $8000 per diem, for about $74k total. Tax free. One month off, paid, every two months. Plus all expenses paid (meals, housing, medicals, airfare back home every month off, van transport).

Captains, of course, make significantly more.

 

I must be missing something – I thought Per Diem was to eat, etc.? It is not pay and it should not be counted as compensation. Also, $49K is better than a stick in the eye, but you had to fly almost 80 hrs a month and I am guessing you spent a fair amount of time on the road. I don’t know about your age, but if you are in your twenties, single, etc. it's no problem. After grinding it out like that for year after year it will become unbearable for most people. I think pilots should be able to make a decent living in this business without having to become road *****s.