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B200 Hawk 05-16-2011 09:45 AM

Realistic Regional Pay
 
Currently work a part 91 job making $35K a year regardless of time (not much time actually). What kind of pay cut would be expected making a jump to the regionals? I know it depends on who you work for and lots of other factors, but is there any method for rough estimates? I have heard take the hourly rate and convert it to 1,000. Aka $22/hr would be roughly $22K a year.

The pay cut is really whats keeping me back from making the jump.

DeadStick 05-16-2011 09:55 AM


Originally Posted by B200 Hawk (Post 994385)
Currently work a part 91 job making $35K a year regardless of time (not much time actually). What kind of pay cut would be expected making a jump to the regionals? I know it depends on who you work for and lots of other factors, but is there any method for rough estimates? I have heard take the hourly rate and convert it to 1,000. Aka $22/hr would be roughly $22K a year.

The pay cut is really whats keeping me back from making the jump.

The 1000 x method is generally the after taxes rate at least, but the bigger picture very much depends on contract language. If you can live in base you will (1) Save money by not commuting (2) Be flexible to pick up open time and pad your pay check a bit. If you're serious about this "career" you'll have to bite the bullet eventually (be it 121 or whatever). Good luck to ya.

freezingflyboy 05-16-2011 10:03 AM


Originally Posted by B200 Hawk (Post 994385)
Currently work a part 91 job making $35K a year regardless of time (not much time actually). What kind of pay cut would be expected making a jump to the regionals? I know it depends on who you work for and lots of other factors, but is there any method for rough estimates? I have heard take the hourly rate and convert it to 1,000. Aka $22/hr would be roughly $22K a year.

The pay cut is really whats keeping me back from making the jump.

The hourly rate x 1000 is not a bad method to use for a rough calculation but it will yield a slightly more optimistic estimate. One thing to remember about your first year is that part of that year (2-3 months) you will be in training earning anywhere from jack squat to your full normal guarantee. After that you will probably be on reserve for at least a few months. Depending on the airline and the month, you may fly very little as a reserve, from almost nothing to just barely breaking guarantee. Or you may fly right up to 100 hours every month with lots of soft time from deadheading,, etc.

If you want a number you can absolutely plan on, try this:
Monthly Guarantee (typically 70-75 hours/mo) x hourly rate x months left after you finish training. So 75 x 22 x 10 = $16500:eek:
Note: These calculations don't include per diem, retirement contributions or any of that. So your true compensation may be higher. But they call it guarantee for a reason.

Al Czervik 05-16-2011 10:13 AM

Pinnacle 3,200/mo training $26/HR*75(1,950mo) + 1300/mo perdiem
2,400/mo online (95 HR)
About 30,000 1st year.

(this is contract. Guys in TRNG may have another story)

jayray2 05-16-2011 10:20 AM


Originally Posted by Al Czervik (Post 994395)
Pinnacle 3,200/mo training $26/HR*75(1,950mo) + 1300/mo perdiem
2,400/mo online (95 HR)
About 30,000 1st year.

(this is contract. Guys in TRNG may have another story)

I find these numbers real hard to believe. I've never heard of anyone coming close to those numbers their first year. I still haven't broken 30K, I will this year but I am also on FOURTH year pay. I'd say plan on 24K your first year, WITH per diem.

Utah 05-16-2011 10:21 AM


Originally Posted by B200 Hawk (Post 994385)
Currently work a part 91 job making $35K a year regardless of time (not much time actually). What kind of pay cut would be expected making a jump to the regionals? I know it depends on who you work for and lots of other factors, but is there any method for rough estimates? I have heard take the hourly rate and convert it to 1,000. Aka $22/hr would be roughly $22K a year.

The pay cut is really whats keeping me back from making the jump.

First year is going to suck no matter where you go. Assuming you hold a line as an RJ FO in your second year, you could make $35K+. Even just as a reserve in your second year you'd get a minimum of around 930hrs of pay if you never broke guarantee(75 x12=900 plus holiday and online recurrent pay). The hourly rate is $36.60.

Lineholders average around 85hrs a month. Could be as low as 75, or up over a 100. At 85hrs a month you're above $37K plus another $4-6k in per diem.

I work with a number of FOs that make mid 40K and above.

jayray2 05-16-2011 10:26 AM


Originally Posted by Utah (Post 994400)
First year is going to suck no matter where you go. Assuming you hold a line as an RJ FO in your second year, you could make $35K+. Even just as a reserve in your second year you'd get a minimum of around 930hrs of pay if you never broke guarantee(75 x12=900 plus holiday and online recurrent pay). The hourly rate is $36.60.

Lineholders average around 85hrs a month. Could be as low as 75, or up over a 100. At 85hrs a month you're above $37K plus another $4-6k in per diem.

I work with a number of FOs that make mid 40K and above.

Where do you work? My W2 for 2010 on THIRD year pay was 27K, of course that doesn't count per diem. My hourly rate was around $37, I did one month of high speeds and two months of reserve, every other month I broke guarantee. I don't pick up open time because 1.) I have a life and 2.) with my schedule I always had min days off so it was almost impossible to pick up more flying. I think people are lying to you about what they made.

Al Czervik 05-16-2011 10:28 AM


Originally Posted by jayray2 (Post 994398)
I find these numbers real hard to believe. I've never heard of anyone coming close to those numbers their first year. I still haven't broken 30K, I will this year but I am also on FOURTH year pay. I'd say plan on 24K your first year, WITH per diem.

How is that possible? Everyone is flying 95 hours. W+F?

BoilerUP 05-16-2011 10:44 AM

In my first year @ Air Wisconsin in 2006, I made $25k including perdiem; in 2007 on 2nd year pay I was on pace to make about $45k including perdiem before I left.

I didn't pick up much extra flying, and bid back-to-back trips since I lived in domicile.

But don't EVER build a budget on any credit above guarantee...just don't do it. Live on guarantee, and anything above that is just gravy.

JustAMushroom 05-16-2011 10:58 AM

You've gotta add the total amount you make now and multiply by 5years (35x5) $175k vs. Rj pay years 1 thru 5 added up. My w2s (roughly 16,36, 46, 90, 76) $264k. As you get further along the difference is more drastic. Btw, its the same cost benefit calculations for moving rj capt to major FO. Also, you didn't provide your current QOL but if you get on a decent regional, you'll have a pretty good life off reserve. My .02cents.

pagey 05-16-2011 11:05 AM


Originally Posted by jayray2 (Post 994405)
Where do you work? My W2 for 2010 on THIRD year pay was 27K, of course that doesn't count per diem. My hourly rate was around $37, I did one month of high speeds and two months of reserve, every other month I broke guarantee. I don't pick up open time because 1.) I have a life and 2.) with my schedule I always had min days off so it was almost impossible to pick up more flying. I think people are lying to you about what they made.


Guarantee alone at 37/hour is 33+ not counting per diem.

newarkblows 05-16-2011 11:20 AM

At xjt 1st yr i think i made lower 30's including per diem. Yrs 2-4 i made 42-43 + per diem which totaled right around 50. I have had a pretty respectable QOL my whole time at a regional. Regional contracts have a lot of little perks that 135 or corporate flying never see. Its not a get rich quick scheme but I have averaged 15 days off a month since i have been here and have been able to trade for productive trips because i live in base. I fly around 800 hrs a year. If i had to worry about a commute i would have gone 135, CBP, or some other government job.

Utah 05-16-2011 11:26 AM


Originally Posted by jayray2 (Post 994405)
Where do you work? My W2 for 2010 on THIRD year pay was 27K, of course that doesn't count per diem. My hourly rate was around $37, I did one month of high speeds and two months of reserve, every other month I broke guarantee. I don't pick up open time because 1.) I have a life and 2.) with my schedule I always had min days off so it was almost impossible to pick up more flying. I think people are lying to you about what they made.

I'm at Skywest. I can only pull up info back to 2003, and that was the last year I was an FO, but my my W2 shows over 33k and that was eight years ago. I would have been on year 3 to 4 on the payscale at that time. Take into consideration that W2 wages don't show pretax items such as insurance and 401K deductions. And while perdiem shouldn't be counted as income, all togeather it was over 41K that year.

Currently, unless you call in sick for a holiday. The absolute minimum amount of credit hours you'd recive at SkyWest in your second year is 931.8. Multiply that by 36.6 and it's $34,103.

OCCP 05-16-2011 03:57 PM

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

clearprop 05-16-2011 04:11 PM


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

that seems consistent with the 5yr FO I know.

newarkblows 05-16-2011 05:48 PM


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

How many hours are you flying a year?

OCCP 05-16-2011 06:10 PM


Originally Posted by newarkblows (Post 994646)
How many hours are you flying a year?

I've been flying probably 80ish per month for my entire time here. I just fly my line and go home. I've picked up exactly 1 trip in five years. My time off is important to me. I commute from socal-IAH so even if they pay 200% for open time, its not worth the stress to me.

Boomer 05-16-2011 06:11 PM


Originally Posted by Al Czervik (Post 994395)
Pinnacle

+ 1300/mo perdiem

About 30,000 1st year.

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:

Boomer 05-16-2011 06:18 PM


Originally Posted by BoilerUP (Post 994414)
But don't EVER build a budget on any credit above guarantee...just don't do it. Live on guarantee, and anything above that is just gravy.

9th year at Comair - looking at $41,000 plus maybe $6,000 per-diem.

Been on reserve more years than off, I agree with the "guarantee-only" budget plan Boiler mentioned above.

There's probably 700 Comair Captains that would recommend staying on your FO budget when you make the left seat, too.

OCCP 05-16-2011 06:53 PM

Boomer,
Are you trying to get out of Comair? Nine years is a hell of a long time to be a regional fo. I've been trying as hard as I can to leave XJT, but no luck so far. I'm afraid I might become a 9 year fo too.

RightSeat4Eva 05-16-2011 07:20 PM


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

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

OCCP 05-17-2011 02:33 AM

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.
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.

What 05-17-2011 03:53 AM


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

Why did you leave Eagle?

Boomer 05-17-2011 05:11 AM


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.

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.

freezingflyboy 05-17-2011 05:49 AM


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.

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.


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.

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.

chignutsak 05-17-2011 06:06 AM


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.

What DOH would keep you afloat at Comair? I know a lot of my contemporaries have bailed because they had no choice...

Alfaro120 05-17-2011 06:08 AM


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.

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

ninjadriver 05-17-2011 06:11 AM

I work at SkyWest and live in base. I do pickup posted trips and open time and usually average 12 to 13 days off per month. I also take about 2.5 weeks off per year for vacation.

Line 3 on my w2

2009: 44k (4th year Jet FO)
2010: 51k (5th year Jet FO) Sold back around 2k of sick time at the end of the year.

This does not include about 5,500 in perdiem.

BTW, I have a number of friends who do about the same over here around my same seniority. So with working the system a little this is not unusual.

freezingflyboy 05-17-2011 06:27 AM


Originally Posted by Alfaro120 (Post 994787)
Freezingflyboy, you are probably stating what you made gross and OCCP is stating net.

I sure hope so. My net was still well over $40/k. I just find it hard to believe that any FO here can't NET $40k/year on 5th year pay. Hell, if you want to include the company match to 401K contributions, for me it basically covers what I pay in taxes.

Al Czervik 05-17-2011 06:29 AM


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:

New hires receive 24/7 perdiem until they are in their base and have had their moving days. We have guys that have been getting 24/7 perdiem for 8-10+ months after training.

OCCP 05-17-2011 06:35 AM


Originally Posted by Alfaro120 (Post 994787)
Freezingflyboy, you are probably stating what you made gross and OCCP is stating net.

Nope, I was stating gross. I don't count per diem as income, I don't live in base, and I work as little as possible. I can live just fine on my 75 hour guarantee which is probably why I don't work the system. My commute is from California so I need to bid trips that start in the afternoon and finish around 4-5pm if I want to have more than 1 flight to/from work. Sometimes that leads to unproductive or low value trips. Like I said in an earlier post, I just fly my line and go home. I also average about 15-16 days off so all of that might help explain why I make a little less than some other guys on here. But in the end, its still a regional so comparing who made 45K, or 38k, or whatever is like winning in the special olympics!

Boomer 05-17-2011 07:24 AM


Originally Posted by Al Czervik (Post 994805)
New hires receive 24/7 perdiem until they are in their base and have had their moving days. We have guys that have been getting 24/7 perdiem for 8-10+ months after training.

That sounds like a sweet loophole. I won't tell management if you wont!

Boomer 05-17-2011 07:39 AM


Originally Posted by chignutsak (Post 994786)
What DOH would keep you afloat at Comair? I know a lot of my contemporaries have bailed because they had no choice...

Something like a 1999 hire date would make someone the junior DTW reserve FO when the latest round of cuts is over in 2012.

I'll be gone next spring or early summer according to the current plan.


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