CBreezy

I'm not saying it is acceptable and that I don't want more. I'm saying that it is livable and if the mainline pilots would take scope back, this wouldn't be an issue. Unfortunately, this is the system in which we live. At what regional are you making $70/hr as an FO?

Lvlng4Spd

i'll agree that the regionals are no longer stepping stone jobs for some pilots.

The argument that one mistake or one medical away from "losing it all" needs more of a qualifier. That is why you have a decent pilot union in the first place. Many folks have gone through medical issues or have done some really dumb things out there and are still flying.

Out in the real world, take a look at the amount of work most people put in just to make 60-100k a year. 50-70+ hours a week, many states have employment at will where you can be fired for anything, favortism and politics for promotional opportunity. Oh, and you can't just not answer your phone, you are tied to work 24/7, many times on vacation too! There is a lot more BS in the non-flying world to contend with. As I stated before, for the amount of money I make a year as a captain, it is probably the easiest and least stressful job I have ever had. If you can self-develop and study, and be a halfway decent mentor and teacher, it really is an enjoyable career.

snippercr

No, domestic is free. Unless you get First class then there are a few bucks to pay for that but it usually covers itself in food and alcohol I consume.

International premium cabin (F or J/C is almost always. I've never NOT gotten it international) it is worth every penny from food, entertainment, to being able to sleep in a lay flat bed.

chrisreedrules

I generally have pretty good QOL at my airline. I've been on property since January, had my sim training in March, and finished my IOE in June. I have quickly built seniority in my base, and I can bid a line if I want but I've been bidding reserve to have a little more schedule flexibility. I commute but the commute is relatively painless. 20 minute drive to the airport, and a 45 minute one-leg flight to work. Recently took a 3 week leave that the company was offering. I've had more time off this year than I've ever had with any job and it has been great. My regional is wholly-owned so the travel benefits are pretty good compared to most and myself and my wife haven't experienced any real challenges getting around. I'll likely be able to get some time off for the holidays coming up as well which is almost unheard of for someone who has been at a regional for less than a year.

sublime259

75k is not enough at all for the job that we do. If you think it is, then I sincerely hope you never make it out of the regionals. I DO NOT want you having the same vote as I have when voting in a contract that could cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars of lifetime earnings.

With the defeatist attitude a lot of you show, you'd be happy making 75-100k your entire career. Airline CEO's must love you.

Lvlng4Spd

[QUOTE=sublime259;1976539]75k is not enough at all for the job that we do. If you think it is, then I sincerely hope you never make it out of the regionals. I DO NOT want you having the same vote as I have when voting in a contract that could cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars of lifetime earnings.

With the defeatist attitude a lot of you show, you'd be happy making 75-100k your entire career. Airline CEO's must love you.[/QUOTE

Nothing defeatist about being content making 100k a year, with a good quality of life, choice of schedule, 4-5 weeks of vacation. You are basically working half the year. Not saying there isn't a fight to be fought, but we should be fighting more for the lower end of the scale. Hell I'd be in favor of a salaried scale, 50k/100k or something of the sort with COLA increases every year. It's much harder to be abused on a salary in this industry than on the outside, with the rules we have in place. If you don't agree, then that is the beauty of democracy.

Jetdriver7

+1. Precisely part of the reason our latest vote didn't pass.

sublime259

Well if your point of view is typical, then that's just terrifying for the future of our profession. 100k is nothing compared to what it used to be. Maybe something is getting lost in translation, but I am talking about pay scales at the majors. At the regional level, they should hopefully be fixed by the laws of supply and demand (it's already happening.)

Nobody should be content with 100k/year for the job we do, simply for good quality of life. Look at the current pay scales at Delta, United, and AA. Would you still be content flying a 777 across the pond for 100k/year when your time comes? I sure hope not and I sure hope you wouldn't advocate these huge monetary concessions so you can get better quality of life.

Lvlng4Spd

I was referring to the regional model with those numbers. However, when making a decision on a contract I do look at all variables involved and make an informed decision for myself. You are stuck on sheer numbers, when there is more to consider. Your example is a bit extreme, as no one is advocating such a thing.

I would argue that you can still promote salaried positions for the majors. That I would certainly advocate. I think you would find that it is easier to negotiate a higher average number. It would look similar to the UPS/FedEx pay scale, but translated into a flat salary.

Is offline

Dude, Just because I don't live in my parents basement like you doesn't mean I need to change my lifestyle.
Starting FO pay should be 60-70k, and until little kids like you quit agreeing to fly for free it will never happen