How's your Quality of life?
09-22-2015, 04:22 PM
#51
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,177
An "over 3" year 1LT on flight status, but single, is making about $5100 a month. The tax advantage for about a third of that is nice, too. And you can reside in TX or FL and pay no state income tax. No commuting costs. No deductions for health care or retirement, either.
True, you might be deployed, but then it's all tax-free.
GF
True, you might be deployed, but then it's all tax-free.
GF
09-22-2015, 06:43 PM
#52
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 2,035
Originally Posted by IFLYPLANEZBRO
75k isn't enough? Seriously? the only way 25k over the national average income isn't enough is if your are buying everything on credit. You've got to change your lifestyle dude. Live within your means. Save money so when you do lose your job it's no big deal man. You won't maybe lose your job you WILL lose it. Start preparing dude!
Try supporting a family in Cali on 75k and get back to me.
09-22-2015, 07:02 PM
#53
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 2,035
Originally Posted by Utah
I work as little as 60 hours a month or up to 90 or so. Rarely go above 90, but the option is there. After 15+ years I'm making $100 an hour or so. It pays the bills but not much more. If I'm not doing split duty trips I'm in my own bed every night. I've had the typical hotel stay only a dozen or so times in the last year. Typically I show up at work around 10:30am and get off at 7pm. Usually for around 5:30 of pay. 2 round trips. Do that 3-4 times a week. Or I'll do a split duty with a show around 9pm - release the next morning around 8am. Another 5:30 of pay.
I rarely bid trips but decided to next month. A bunch of three days with 30 hour overnights. I'll rent a car and make it a mini - vacation.
I have no problem getting 7 days off in row without using vacation time. Dropping or trading the shorter trips is pretty easy. I never miss a birthday or holiday or any other day I want off.
-- and I do this with middle of the road seniority in my domicile.
I've been in the military. I've worked behind a desk. I've been a manager at a good sized manufacturing company. This is by far the best QOL I've ever had. Best of all, when I leave work -- I leave work. The day is over and I don't have to think about it again. Very low stress compared to the other stuff I've done.
I rarely bid trips but decided to next month. A bunch of three days with 30 hour overnights. I'll rent a car and make it a mini - vacation.
I have no problem getting 7 days off in row without using vacation time. Dropping or trading the shorter trips is pretty easy. I never miss a birthday or holiday or any other day I want off.
-- and I do this with middle of the road seniority in my domicile.
I've been in the military. I've worked behind a desk. I've been a manager at a good sized manufacturing company. This is by far the best QOL I've ever had. Best of all, when I leave work -- I leave work. The day is over and I don't have to think about it again. Very low stress compared to the other stuff I've done.
You must be SLC based? I'm considerably more senior than you and consistently end up with trips that are either minimum guarantee, or credit half the duty time. Lots of unproductive long unpaid airport appreciation, with few decent pairings available for the last couple of years now.
09-22-2015, 10:02 PM
#55
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 155
As many have said, I also feel it's a love, hate relationship.
Pros:
•Fly planes-enjoying your passion
•**Occasionally** go on fun overnights
•non rev benefits
•not having to deal with a boss
•no work outside of work
•always working with new ppl
•11-15 days off a month
•generally low stress (opinion)
Cons:
•thankless job
•low starting pay
•low employee moral
•commuting
•Schuledule only known mo in advance
•bid vacations
•media hates aviation
•uncertain financial future
•uncertain career progression
There are a lot more than I can list but those are the top things for me. I keep doing this job day after day because I don't really have any other skill sets, plus I know I would be absolutely miserable behind a desk...granted I don't have a family, and am finally off first year pay. There are times I tell myself, this is the best job in the world and I feel very lucky, and at other times I feel like I'm crazy for sticking to a job that may wreck my future, and can't believe how bad we are treated at times between management and even the passengers. It's really a tough call for me. I love the fact that I dont have to really deal with work outside of work, and don't have to deal with the same people everyday especially a boss. Also realize if I got a job doing something else I would most likely be working 9-5 (or worse) at least 5-6 days a week which would suck compared to having all the days off.
Personally, I would give it a shot and go from there. There should be movement in the next few years so it's not a horrible time to get in...whatever you do, just don't commute or you will 100% hate your life that's a promise...it becomes a totally different job
Pros:
•Fly planes-enjoying your passion
•**Occasionally** go on fun overnights
•non rev benefits
•not having to deal with a boss
•no work outside of work
•always working with new ppl
•11-15 days off a month
•generally low stress (opinion)
Cons:
•thankless job
•low starting pay
•low employee moral
•commuting
•Schuledule only known mo in advance
•bid vacations
•media hates aviation
•uncertain financial future
•uncertain career progression
There are a lot more than I can list but those are the top things for me. I keep doing this job day after day because I don't really have any other skill sets, plus I know I would be absolutely miserable behind a desk...granted I don't have a family, and am finally off first year pay. There are times I tell myself, this is the best job in the world and I feel very lucky, and at other times I feel like I'm crazy for sticking to a job that may wreck my future, and can't believe how bad we are treated at times between management and even the passengers. It's really a tough call for me. I love the fact that I dont have to really deal with work outside of work, and don't have to deal with the same people everyday especially a boss. Also realize if I got a job doing something else I would most likely be working 9-5 (or worse) at least 5-6 days a week which would suck compared to having all the days off.
Personally, I would give it a shot and go from there. There should be movement in the next few years so it's not a horrible time to get in...whatever you do, just don't commute or you will 100% hate your life that's a promise...it becomes a totally different job
09-23-2015, 07:09 AM
#57
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: RJ Captain
Posts: 1,174
Originally Posted by Paid2fly
You must be SLC based? I'm considerably more senior than you and consistently end up with trips that are either minimum guarantee, or credit half the duty time. Lots of unproductive long unpaid airport appreciation, with few decent pairings available for the last couple of years now.
You're absolutely right on the $75K in CA. You'll live in poverty in Socal or the bay area on that.
09-23-2015, 11:59 PM
#58
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 2,035
Originally Posted by Utah
Where in CA are you based? I've looked through the PSP pairings and they are all bad. I'd presume FAT is bad as well being an outstation.
You're absolutely right on the $75K in CA. You'll live in poverty in Socal or the bay area on that.
You're absolutely right on the $75K in CA. You'll live in poverty in Socal or the bay area on that.
Most senior base with the worst pairings, what's not to like?
10-07-2015, 10:34 PM
#60
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Position: SR-20 CA
Posts: 6
Thanks guys! (and maybe gals) This actually was really helpful! It's great to see the diversity of moral among regional pilots but it is exactly as I expected. Basically you need to go make money and when your ready to retire and the kids are off to college go fly for a regional! because although some of you were saying you could live on 50 or 75k I cannot. I live in the Bay area and I do appreciate the finer things in life, like not getting mugged in my driveway! So yeah I may wait it out. At least that way I'm not adding to the pool of crazy pilots that will work for nothing! Hope to see you fellas at work some day! just maybe not right now.
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