I'll tell ya, the forums have lacked sufficient "my regional is better than your regional" statements. Glad to see that is being finally rectified.

(Not poking at you snipper)

 

In an attempt to not sound like an egotistical pilot, you go too far and disgrace the profession. We aren't bus drivers, we are jet pilots, there is a difference. We both operate vehicles, but thats it. You sound like a retarded passenger that thinks we hit some takeoff and land button and never fly. And I dont see myself as being in the airplane to jockey an autopilot, I'm there to make a routine flight routine, and a non-routine flight from being the nations top story. A bus driver would think your crazy to compare him to us, especially if he jumpseated your every flight for a month. First year FO pay is too low. If a new FO averages 200-250 hr of TAFB a month, and makes 20k a year, that equates to $6.60-$8.30 an hour, well below min. wage. Every non-pilot in the world thinks that its too low. You really think it should be this way? As if pilots dont deserve better compensation the first year? Your right, they arent heros, they are just guys who have sacrifced a hell of a lot more than most people to get into their career.
What % of first year guys get a job after 90 days of flight training? 0%! Almost all spend years in training and/or flight instructing, flying freight, tours, etc, and for longer now with the ATP rule. Many like myself also did unpaid internships just to get a foot in the door. So why shouldn't flying 30-80 souls in a complex turbine aircraft deserve better compensation than 20k a year? Right of passage? The right of passage should be the tens of thousands of dollars spent, the years of training, stressing through checkrides, the low paying a demanding jobs before our 121 carrier, finishing college, etc. And I dare say for most of us it wasn't near as smooth as this just to get here with hiring freezes, furloughs, student loans, family issues, medical issues, etc. We all knew first year pay was low before we started, but it doesn't mean it SHOULD be this way, or that it should STAY this way. Bus drivers? Way to devalue my profession and passion.

Oh, and about that paint job. Uh I think the emblem and tail are snazzy, but 90% of the airplane is overly gray in my opinion, and about as exciting as the new United decals. Just my 2 cents.

 

And I hope the brutal obvious "my regional is better than your regional" type post was taken with complete sarcasm, as it was intended

But yeah, it really is the best airline anyways so all others just suck and wish they were like us.

 

[QUOTE=I'm there to make a routine flight routine, and a non-routine flight from being the nations top story[/QUOTE]

So I sound like a retarded passenger? With comments like the one I highlighted above, you sound like a Sulley wannabe!

I have many years in this business and don't need a lesson from a regional hero about how I got here.

Most new hire F.O.'s have no airline experience, no jet time, no CRM experience, and no ATP. Go ask a flight instructor at the local airport to explain exemption 3585 to you and check out the blank stare.
The regionals pay crap 1st year because they can. Supply and demand my friend. Not to mention they spend thousands of dollars training these guys who go on to gain valuable 121 time which will enable them to progress in their careers.

Now take a guy with a few thousand hours in the CRJ earning $45k a year with a decent schedule, then suddenly gets laid off (Comair etc) and has to start at the bottom of the pile all over agin. Reserve, year 1 pay, no vacation etc. Those guys have a right to complain. Everyone else needs to shut up and get on with it.

I really get sick of hearing it, honestly. Stop being so naive and self entitled.

 

Oh , completely. I saw what you did there

 

So what's your plan to fix pay? Serious question.

 

I just want to make it clear that I am talking about 1st year regional F.O. pay here.
The company invests thousands of dollars in training a new hire and now most even provide a type rating. That in itself is compensation for someone who came from bashing the pattern in a Cessna.
Its all about doing your time, paying your dues and gaining valuable experience. Thats when you can say, "I am an airline pilot and I deserve a fair wage."
Until you reach that second year I suggest that you show some grattitude for getting on the first rung of the ladder and show some respect to the guys starting over at the bottom, again, through no fault of their own.

 

That's the cost of doing business I don't care how much it costs to train me it's still significantly less than what it cost me just to get to Day 1 at an airline. BTW 2nd yr pay is still a joke at a handful of regionals.

 

Why would a flight instructor need to know this? They're two different jobs that require separate training with some things that overlap.

 

This is exactly my point. They don't know it, nor do they know how to start a jet engine without cooking it, or program an FMS, or work with dispatchers, or understand powered flight control surfaces etc etc.

Its up to the airline to introduce them to the next level, which is a huge risk for them and costs valuable time and money.

I worked for arguably one of the worst regional airlines in the business, but I was grateful to them because they took a chance on me and gave me the oportunity to become an airline pilot. I never did see second year F.O. pay becuase I upgraded in my first 12 months.

Now, 7 years later I may have to start at the bottom of the pile, on year one pay, on reserve, commuting with no vacation all over again.
Then when I hear a brand new F.O. who is barely off high mins complain to me that he gets paid less than a bus driver, it makes me angry.

Sorry if that doesn't sound fair, but thats the way it is. I don't make the rules and I don't go crying to anyone who will listen. I keep on trucking and I encourage everyone else to do the same.

I believe the future is bright for someone just getting into this industry, but like everything else, you have to pay your dues.