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Regional Airline Pay
First off, Im not a pilot. Im a firefighter in Atlanta, GA. I was very close to going to ATP for their ASPP...12months while I keep my job here and train. However, I was clueless, ignorant, whatever...to the fact of how bad the pay is at the regionals. I can see first year pay around 25K at the least due to training $ invested. But after that I assumed it would be 50K and up a year. Im on a CRJ 700 out of Atlanta to Syracuse, NY this month. Over 1000 miles...what is "regional" about that. Arent the CRJ about as big as the small DC-9 the majors used to fly and still do?? Even a brain surgeon doesnt have the responsibility or lives in his hands at once as a Airline Pilot w/ 50 bodies flying through a thunderstorm. I find it insulting that people w/ such a technical skill and responsibility are paid less than a bus driver w/ 0 skill or education! I can see in the 80's when regionals were really "regional" in a 1900 or Metro...but Cmon...50+ seat aircraft that fly mach .72+! I really dont understand how this happens and w/ your guys ALPU allows it? Im just glad I stumbled on this forum and hope that something changes soon...as for now I guess Ill go get my PVT and put the "dream" on hold.
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From the fire to the furnace!~
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Originally Posted by elijahmike1
(Post 621877)
First off, Im not a pilot. Im a firefighter in Atlanta, GA. I was very close to going to ATP for their ASPP...12months while I keep my job here and train. However, I was clueless, ignorant, whatever...to the fact of how bad the pay is at the regionals. I can see first year pay around 25K at the least due to training $ invested. But after that I assumed it would be 50K and up a year. Im on a CRJ 700 out of Atlanta to Syracuse, NY this month. Over 1000 miles...what is "regional" about that. Arent the CRJ about as big as the small DC-9 the majors used to fly and still do?? Even a brain surgeon doesnt have the responsibility or lives in his hands at once as a Airline Pilot w/ 50 bodies flying through a thunderstorm. I find it insulting that people w/ such a technical skill and responsibility are paid less than a bus driver w/ 0 skill or education! I can see in the 80's when regionals were really "regional" in a 1900 or Metro...but Cmon...50+ seat aircraft that fly mach .72+! I really dont understand how this happens and w/ your guys ALPU allows it? Im just glad I stumbled on this forum and hope that something changes soon...as for now I guess Ill go get my PVT and put the "dream" on hold.
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Originally Posted by elijahmike1
(Post 620632)
Was ready to take out 45 Grand loan (that after getting 27K from VA) to go to ATP in ATL. I am a firefighter for a major metro Atlanta department w/ wife and 2 kids. Im glad I stumbled upon this forum! Wow...ATP said now is the best time to train...in the downturn. Is it really this bad at the regionals?
Originally Posted by elijahmike1
(Post 613138)
I am a 31yr old firefighter for a major dept in metro Atlanta. I have a wife and 2 kids and "survive" on 50,000 a year. I have always wanted to fly. I was close to joining ATP's self paced program (0-hero). Im a vet so after VA would have taken on about 40K grand debt. I began to question my career change and if it was possible. I read an article that said ATP is now only hiring 30% of their grads for CFI positions after completion of training. I called and questioned and was told "your the type of person we are looking for, older, professional, and would not have a problem getting hired as a ATP CFI...for sure" Yah...OK. Then I became concerned w/ the pool of potential pilots growing everyday and nobody hiring. So I questioned...was told "the best time to train is during a downturn and that I would have no problem in 1 1/2 years getting a job that the "regionals will be hiring like crazy". When I asked about the ridiculous pay, that I had no idea was the case BTW, I was told that it's only like that the first year and it's realistic to make 35K-40K in yr 2 and then upgrade to make "good" money. Then I stumble on this forum! Anyone out there who can offer good advice that is not just disgruntled would be appreciated. Be safe!
Originally Posted by elijahmike1
(Post 621877)
First off, Im not a pilot. Im a firefighter in Atlanta, GA. I was very close to going to ATP for their ASPP...12months while I keep my job here and train. However, I was clueless, ignorant, whatever...to the fact of how bad the pay is at the regionals. I can see first year pay around 25K at the least due to training $ invested. But after that I assumed it would be 50K and up a year. Im on a CRJ 700 out of Atlanta to Syracuse, NY this month. Over 1000 miles...what is "regional" about that. Arent the CRJ about as big as the small DC-9 the majors used to fly and still do?? Even a brain surgeon doesnt have the responsibility or lives in his hands at once as a Airline Pilot w/ 50 bodies flying through a thunderstorm. I find it insulting that people w/ such a technical skill and responsibility are paid less than a bus driver w/ 0 skill or education! I can see in the 80's when regionals were really "regional" in a 1900 or Metro...but Cmon...50+ seat aircraft that fly mach .72+! I really dont understand how this happens and w/ your guys ALPU allows it? Im just glad I stumbled on this forum and hope that something changes soon...as for now I guess Ill go get my PVT and put the "dream" on hold.
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Most of the compensation is the satisfaction of doing the job. As a whole, the pilot population would swim laps in a pool of #$@* to continue to fly airplanes for a living because "it beats working", has an awe factor when you tell your friends, the ladies dig it - all of the above.
Accordingly, the ranks will still be filled and lines out the doors if pay was cut even more. Pilots do this job because they love it - then once in, they'll talk about how important pay is. But pay is a secondary concern to most new entrants. Just getting a jet job is the primary success. Major pilots are paid fairly well. But, even if they weren't, they'd still stick around because after that investment, there is little ability to start over in another career path. Pilots are their own worse enemies. |
Originally Posted by The Juice
(Post 621882)
Now you are just messing with us, right?
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Originally Posted by elijahmike1
(Post 621901)
Uhhh...not messing with anyone. I just dont understand why the pay is like it is at the airlines. I was very close to stepping in way over my head financially with a girl name Sallie May in complete ignorance. I first stumbled on the board to get a feel as to what prof in the industry have to say and advice. I learned alot in a very short amount of time.
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Obviously pay varies with different companies. I work for a "decent" regional and in my second year I grossed over 49k (around 5k perdiem for the year) and will have already made 26k gross by the end of June. Do your research.
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Stay a fireman.
Better pay, better schedule, better retirement, And most importantly, chicks dig it. |
Originally Posted by dojetdriver
(Post 621954)
Stay a fireman.
Better pay, better schedule, better retirement, And most importantly, chicks dig it. |
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