This thread is more catered to the FO’s that are working it hardcore to make some serious money but not timing out early before the end of the year. I’m married with two children and only have my income to support family.

I went to a Republic mixer in IAH last week and had a great time. I know that your “flight time” per the regs is limited to 1000 hours a year, which equates to a little over 83 flight hours a month.

Can someone please explain to me how I can make the most money at Republic? How are you bidding the system? I’m used to 6-8 days off a month flying part 135 so I’m willing to hustle. I want to know what you guys are grossing annually based off the new TA and your projections?

If this conversation is easier explained over a phone call please PM me and I can chat with you at your convenience.

Thank you all for your expertise.

First things first, why WOULDN’T you want to time out (if lots of work is what you’re aiming for)? Let’s say you time out at end of November you still get paid 75 hours in December. That’s a great way to make more money than you fly. That’s 75 hours of pay while you do nothing. There are other things but I just want to make sure we’re kinda on the same page here before getting into that.

Ok, brain fart. Sorry.

Forgot about that. But yes I wanna make something close to what I’m making now, about 80k. Can it be done? If so, how? If not, how much can I make? Please explain it to me. I’m completely new to understanding the 121 airline world.

With the current bonus and reserve time at junior bases you’ll probably make around 60K-70K year one. Year 2 would probably be $60K (NOT including per diem, performance bonuses, healthcare costs etc) if you worked your tail off. Hopefully, with the way things are now you’d upgrade at some point during year 3 and start making close to $80K if you continue to work a bunch. There are definitely ways to work the system if you live in base bid reserve and pick up flying on days off since that goes above your 75 hr monthly gaurantee automatically but then you’re obviously losing QOL if you’re also being called to fly on your reserve days. Picking up flying for straight pay is also frowned upon by many in the pilot group because we would like double pay to be the norm but you gotta do what you gotta do to live. I try not to judge. Realistically and simplest answer, if $80K is your “benchmark” I’d Try to work a budget for the next 2 years living on $50-60K because that’s probably your simplistic and realistic outlook

But since you asked some tricks here’s a couple...work allll the holidays, 8 holidays At an extra 4:12 each throughout the year adds up to almost an extra half month of credit. Find quick turns if you live near base. Fly for 2.5 hours but make 4:12. Put yourself on the “call for extra flying” list (goes back to the whole picking up extra flying for straight pay thing).

Made 66k first year at 40/hr. 68k second year at 41/hr. On third year at 51/hr.

Worked my ass off both years with about 5 months of reserve total.

Live in base. Picked up a lot of quick turns (less than 2.5 block for 4.2 credit). Split trips to where only a DH was on my schedule for the day (so 4.2 credit and 0 block).

I expect to upgrade at 2.75 years seniority and I should easily clear 80k this year.

Hope this helps

Work rules are where you make the extra money. A day with 1 leg still pays 4.2. You also have the trip and duty rigs. I’ve had some senior fos make 70 ish on the old payscales so I would say 80 is possible on year 2-3. It really depends on how much flying and open time is in iah.

It’s no longer a 1000 hours in a year. 117 rules are always a rolling times frame, hourly based. That’s said, it is possible to time out for short periods of time but nothing like we could do prior to 117 regs. Someone did a poor job of explaining 117 rules to you.

Regardless, making 80k in a year as an FO won’t be easy. Closer to 60k is much more likely.

Be rested. Be safe. Live to work another day.

1000 hours in the previous 365 days still applies. Which is the last year. You can defiantly hit that in 11 months with the trade board (recommended)/ open time(not recommended) You can make more the that with trip rigs, duty rigs, overtime, deadhead, and holidays.



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I cannot believe that anyone here is telling you making 80k a year is even remotely attainable on first year FO pay.. or even 3rd year! I live in base and work a ton and I have yet to break 53k a year. This thread pretty much shows why we don't get red flag for opentime..