Originally Posted by OCCP (Post 994572)

I've been at Xjt for five years and have yet to break 40k. Here is my hourly rate vs. W2 earnings:

2006: 22/hr=18k(worked for 10months)
2007: 33/hr=38k
2008: 35/hr=34k
2009: 37/hr=35k
2010: 40/hr=39k

Originally Posted by RightSeat4Eva (Post 994692)

Man you need to learn how to play the system better! When I was at Eagle, I knew guys that would only FLY 80 or 85 hours but would credit over 100 consistently.

Also, with this supposed mass retiring of guys at the majors, I'm hoping it won't take me 5 years to upgrade at XJT (just starting next Monday). 3 would be acceptable :D

Originally Posted by OCCP (Post 994682)

Boomer,
Are you trying to get out of Comair? Nine years is a hell of a long time to be a regional fo.

Originally Posted by OCCP (Post 994572)

I've been at Xjt for five years and have yet to break 40k. Here is my hourly rate vs. W2 earnings:

2006: 22/hr=18k(worked for 10months)
2007: 33/hr=38k
2008: 35/hr=34k
2009: 37/hr=35k
2010: 40/hr=39k

Originally Posted by OCCP (Post 994749)

I suppose I could work the system more, but I refuse to be a slave to open time. I know plenty of Xjt FO who make 45-50k, and they seem to be working on all their days off and through vacation as well. Some are also constantly arguing with their girlfriend's on the phone because they are gone all the time, and put the airline ahead of the rest of their life. XJT has really gone down the tubes and the more time I spend here, being able to be home as much a possible proves to be the most important factor in my life.

Originally Posted by OCCP (Post 994749)

As far as upgrades go, you know you can't predict what will happen. When I started here it was about 22 months to hold captain. Flash forward 64 months and I'm still waiting. Saying you could upgrade in 3 years is possible, but don't count on it. If you worked at Eagle you should know.

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 994771)

Yes, it is. Plus back on reserve to boot.

I'm trying to get out of Comair, but I can't just hop to another regional for 20 grand/year. My kids will be starting college soon. My only hope is to stay afloat at Comair until the mainline retirements kick in.

I guess we'll see how well that plan worked in 3-5 years.

Originally Posted by freezingflyboy (Post 994782)

Man, you're doing it wrong!;) I'm also in my 5th year and have been over $40k/year since my second year at XJT. 2010 I made just over $46k + $6900 in per diem. To be clear, I am THE worst guy at working the system and definitely not an open time troll. I live in base and pick up open time MAYBE 3 or 4 times a year but only ever short day trips if the Red Flag is up. Never worked a vacation day and usually end up taking a month off every year.



We must have been hired around the same time cause that's the same thing I was told when I started. Aaaand here we are 5 years later...still in the right seat. But at least now there's movement. Point is, upgrade time when you get hired has nothing to do with when YOU will upgrade. When I was looking at getting into the regionals it was right after the big post-9/11 rape of the airlines/pilot flush/hiring freeze so I kept asking myself "If the industry cratered again and I got stuck here for 10 years, would I be OK with that?" And XJT was one of those places. Has it gone downhill since 2006? Absolutely. But talk to folks elsewhere...it ain't nearly as bad as it could be. If I gotta be stuck in the steaming manure pile that is the regional airline business, I'm much happier being near the top than ANYWHERE near the soggy, festering bottom.

Originally Posted by Alfaro120 (Post 994787)

Freezingflyboy, you are probably stating what you made gross and OCCP is stating net.

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 994660)

That's a lot of per-diem.

$1300 a month equals roughly $1.80 per hour.
Every hour, meaning the whole month - 12am on the 1st thru midnight on the 30th. I've never heard of getting per-diem at home.

Or it equals $9 per hour if you average four 4-day trips each month and you're paid per-diem for TAFB.

Neither sounds right...?? :confused: