"But I want a $5000 bonus NOW. $2000 a year more for EVERYONE on EVERY YEAR of the contract is sooooo unfair," Short Sighted New Hire.

But I want $10,000.:)

Comair FO

Personally I don't think pilot groups should allow new-hires to get paid 20/hour either.

But if signing bonuses are getting handed out, then every pilot on the list should get one.

..........

First of all airlines should pay qualified pilots at least a starting salary of minimum 40k a year after said pilot spends all the time and money on pilot certs and school. Then like all good companies they could offer bonuses and relocation and perks to attract potential employees. But they bank on the fact that you would rather fly a jet for 20k then a cessna 172 for 40k a year.

40k for a fresh grad? No way. It doesn't take that much time to earn one's certificates, only requires average aptitude and just because one spends money on their training alone isn't reason to command a 40k starting salary. Besides, most fresh grads are worthless when anything out of the ordinary happens. They're worth 15k or less, if that.

Now, 40k as a starting salary for a new-hire that already has a enough experience to get their ATP? I can agree with that.

As long as people are lining up to work for $23,000/year, management has no need to increase the pay or give bonuses. They'd be insane to do so.