Now there's a funny joke.

No we didn’t. We signed a clause that we would not force an integration with United or CommutAir as a condition for the buyout, which is something very different.

This means it’s up to United if they want to offer such a thing to us in the future. Which was everyone’s prior assumption to begin with.

Even a recruiter wouldn’t be that in denial. Koolaids got him bad. Real bad.

[QUOTE=Flogger;2764307]To the OP: You do realize the bonus is taxed? So, you can pay off maybe 16K in credit card debt?


Most Folks don't really understand the Tax System. Yeah, the Company will take out Withholding at a higher percentage from your Bonus, but at the end of the year when you settle up with Uncle Sugar, you will get it back. Most F.O.'s won't breach the 12% Tax Bracket anyway. You can also run the IRS.gov Withholding Calculator every month and change your W-4 with the Company and get them to withhold less Federal Income Tax (you can't change your withholding on FICA Taxes). So, this allows you to keep more of your income, but then, not receive a Tax Refund, or much of one, the following year. This is particularly salient if you are relying on CC' s to bridge the gap. Additionally, as interest rates rise, it will be beneficial for you, and not the US Government to collect the interest throughout the year, instead of giving .gov an interest free loan.
Another way to forestall the Taxman is to max your 401k out & if you are real Bada$$, to max out an additional IRA on top of the 401k- a lot of Folks are unaware that you can do this. You can also get your MAGI down enough to qualify for the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) and the Saver's Credit or Form 8880 (which gives you free money to encourage retirement savings in one's 401k, or IRA.
We have a Progressive Income Tax in this Country which means everybody pays zero until a certain amount and then everyone pays 12% of every dollar ABOVE that amount and it goes on and on till you hit the max bracket. Every Dollar that goes into the next higher Bracket only gets taxed at the higher rate for that, and all subsequent dollars. Hope this helps some Folks here. I too used to be a debt slave and didn't understand how the tax system worked. Good Luck!

Not a recruiter - I prefer flying the line. I just enjoy being a counterbalance to the mopey cynics that still can’t get hired at a major and love to spread their misery.

[QUOTE=DrunkenShytbird;2764741]I was swagging. The bonuses are tax withheld at a stupid rate, and yes, you get some back based on your tax filing, but it could very well be the OP was thinking he'd get a check for 27K. I was just letting him know that't not the case.

These jobs are some folks first jobs with things like bonuses.

For OP, upgrade at OO and get your PIC time. You’ll make far more money doing that that taking a bonus and making a lateral move.

Says the XJT lifer?

Dave Ramsey would frown at the advice you gave: refinance debt and not cancel your credit cards.


A lot of good information. I would also add another item of interest for many pilots, that you can take advantage with a lower MAGI, is the student loan interest deduction. All these items mentioned, including being able to contribute to an IRA, have a MAGI phaseout and limit.

You're having a hard time seeing the positive change at Expressjet! Enjoy the Commutair life!