Quote:
Originally Posted by Strenyakov
Can some of you newly retired airline pilots have gone to 135 ops tell us about what you were able to draw for salaries and 401k, etc?
I'll state the obvious, nothing but a few Part 91 unicorn jobs will pay anything close to a retiring 121 PIC. I'm sure you are aware but not leaving any lurkers any doubt the drop in pay does occur.
Bottom line, one pilot's take home pay after taxes for a SIC living in a state that collects state income tax, flying 135 ops was $8800 a month. Citation X
This includes base salary ($80K), $85 a day per diem ($135 for international overnights), $500 additional pay for not using company medical.
My pay as PIC in that same situation (over 65) , no state income taxes, take home pay flying similar amount is about $11K-12K a month.
Mileage truly varies depending on type of aircraft and company compensation packages. Multiple ex's lower mileage dramatically...just saying.
401Ks vary dramatically. Previous 135 had a $5K match and after 5 yrs I believe it would go to $10K but one had to put your own money in to get the match.
New company deposits $$ into your designated investment funds (by the pilot) based upon a per hour basis. If you flew 650hrs a yr the total amount deposit would be close to the max amount gov allows...NO PILOT CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED. Caveat: Newly established program...kinks are being sorted out with new investment firm and leadership..I'm confident based upon past promises by leadership the deal will come through.
Retired 3.5 yrs ago...still love flying and that is why I still fly. If I'm going to fly, I thought I should at least seek out the upper level of compensation in an airplane I like. The X fits that bill as does the company I work for.
Good luck...lots of opportunities out there...don't bite on the first tug on the line.