I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that all low paid pilots desperately want to work where they do. I had a co-worker interview at Pinnacle, Colgan and Air Wisconson. He didn't get any offers so he interviewed and got hired at Mesa. Another friend graduated college and didn't have 1,000 so his choices were basically Eagle and Express. He got an interview with Eagle first and went there. Again, he would have preffered XJT, but it didn't materialize. Choice of Airline is not a reality for all applicants.

There are very few 121 (non-cargo) airline pilots making more than they did in the pre 9/11 days. Does that make us all guilty of driving down our profession? Mesa pilots accept lower wages than most, but all the major airline pilots are doing the same job for significantly less too. The (major airline) pilots did it to save their jobs you say? I agree. Just like the major airline guys, I guess some pilots would rather be employed for less than not at all.

 

At some point, you are better not being employed that working for less. When I went to work at ASA after being furloughed, I actually made less working for ASA than I collected from unemployment insurance.

At least at ASA, it gets dramatically better after the first year. At companies like Great Lakes and Mesa, a regional (turboprop in particular) FO will stay on those poverty scales until they manage to upgrade.

 

Funny you mention that because a friend of mine who flies the 340 for Colgan just told me in the state he is now based he qualifies for (and collects) food stamps.

 

duvie,
good point. I know an instructor who's very intelligent, positive, well-respected, with more than enough to meet the mins, got turned down by most of the regionals. Being that he is all of the above (and this isn't necessarily my own opinion but the general consensus among his 100+ coworkers.. students loved him, instructors loved him, mgmt loved him), the only reason that everyone could come up with as to why he couldn't get hired during 2005's regional hiring boom was that he was Middle Eastern.. even though he obviously had to jump through fire hoops from the govt to be able to get his green card. Who knows. Bottom line is, he kinda had no choice then to apply to less desirable companies. He did get on with Medusa, and as far as I can tell, it's their gain. (Let the terrorist jokes begin..)

As for your food stamp friend.. funny, cuz a friend of mine who flies 340 for Colgan has been kinda bragging that he got $30k his first year as FO. I don't think I believe him though, lol.

 

Your friend is full of sh$t! Starting F/O pay is $21/hr. Times max hrs that can be flown (FAA) 1000 equals $21,000. I really can't and don't believe your friend makes $9,000/yr in per diem.

 

Ummmm. "soft credit"? When I worked at Colgan, during the summer's in HYA, you could get 120-130 hours PAY (not flying). Also though, that was in the 1900, which you could fly more than 100 hours in a month (commuter rule).
But in the SF, $21 by 110 hours PAY (not flying), around the $30,000/yr mark.

 

YES!!!..it has been going on for years...started with pay for training in the early 90s...sad