Does first year pay matter?
 

I am a prospective new-hire, zero 121, deciding on the best regional airline for myself and family. I hear a tremendous amount of chatter from existing 121 pilots that first year pay is one of the largest factors in a new-hire's decision of "best airline." This has made me curious as to the reality or falsehood of the idea. Please vote if you are a prospective new-hire or are considering a lateral move.

My main reason in posting the poll is to find out whether this is something other applicants actually care about. Personally first-year pay is a relatively small part of my airline decision. Second, third, and succeeding-year pay is much more important along with career progression opportunities.

Thanks!!

The major factor in my decision was living in base.

First priority should be living in base. Second priority should be avoiding stagnant airlines and/or 50 seat operators.

Living in base + company net growth = reserve from home, quickly hold a line, and upgrade fairly quickly which in turn creates the best quality of life you can expect at a regional.

You know first year pay bites at all regionals, but you still have to be able to pay your basic bills. In most places this means better than 30k living like a church mouse. It's up to the airline if they intend to keep someone after that- a small family really needs 50k to get along nowadays.

It's gonna suck no matter what. Find a place that has a base where you wanna be/where you live. Commuting blows.

Do what is best for you and your family and don't come to the regionals.

Yep, pick one, a family or an airline job at a regional. They are mutually exclusive. With the upcoming pilot pinch the majors aren't going to be any better, you might get paid more but you still will have a hard time keeping a family together.

Id say its a compounded problem, if your flight instructing then go to Compass or XJT where you get no pay, and a small amount of per-diem, during training. Then go to year 1 pay and have to commute spending money on that you will have a problem. Unless your married and your spouse works or your parents or kids or somebody is giving you money. I think I had 3 pay checks above $1,500 during training, at some companies that's more than both checks for the month.

Compass doesn't pay during training?

Compass does pay. Of course people on this site like to spew "information" when they have no idea what they're talking about.