I wish 40K would provide a middle class lifestyle where I live. A starter home is 200K.

Times have changed. The pilot profession is on its way down the ladder of income potential and status. It is a fact so in that regard "the sky is falling".



Skyhigh

"But look at all the new airlines! They're hiring guys at New York Air for $3,000 a month to fly a plane that a Texas International pilot flies for $6,500 a month......" (page 290 Flying the Line I)

Let's see adjusted for inflation thats 3K under Carter admin = are you ready for this
The Inflation Calculator
What cost $3000 in 1978 would cost $9437.66 in 2007.

Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2007 and 1978,
they would cost you $3000 and $911.09 respectively. Do you want to do another calculation?

Remember 3K was the undercutter 6.5K was the good job. Today people go to China to make the 3K equivalant!!! I would have to say the sky fell a long time ago.

"I wish 40K would provide a middle class lifestyle where I live. A starter home is 200K."

Median income where Sky lives according to Wiki:

"the median income for a family was $37,625"

I guess middle class means different things to different people. I know a guy making less than 40K who makes a 1K a month house payment and has a family. His toys are a Harley and one of those big muscle cars.

I don't think the expectation to be a pilot and consider yourself middle class is out of line in today's world, nor will it be in the future.

I know an FO over there and he is paid quite well. How ironic that the region(asia) of the world known for sweatshops would pay better than the US for something?

Just for the record:

I would like to state that my position is that after investing four years or more in college and then blowing another 60 to 80K on flight training to be followed by many more years of low wage experience building before reaching a low paying regional, pilots should be expecting more than just a middle class income.

It is inconceivable to me that after all those years and lost fortunes that a pilot should be expected to be happy to earn as much as a postman. The hurdles it takes to reach the flight deck should ensure that once there Pilots should be very financially comfortable. Additionally they should expect to be well treated and enjoy a better quality of life than a bus driver. It should be commonplace to do as well as a surgeon. Pilots should be sought aggressively after by companies.

I went into flying because I loved it, However I also expected to be rewarded once I got there. Middle class is simply not good enough. Pilots make a large sacrifice and continue to do so as line pilots. It is not too much to ask to be happy at work after making such an investment and then to be well compensated. The fact is that they do not make enough to make the effort worthwhile. You might as well take the government test and deliver mail. It requires no college, no additional training, no experience and comes with a full government retirement and benefits package.

A flying career does not offer a reasonable return for your efforts anymore. It is not stable and does not offer an improving future. In short, it is a bad investment.

SkyHigh

I applaud your ability to search the internet however what the numbers do not tell you is that 54% of the population are college students. As such it effects the numbers and produces a false suggestion that it only costs 37K to reach middle class for a family where I live. I understand that your single friend can live well on 40K but it is much difficult to afford daycare, fund college accounts, pay for a suitable family vehicle ect...

Besides all that it is absurd to think that you are suggesting that a pilot be happy with 37K per year. That statement sounds depressing even coming from you.

SkyHigh

I totally agree given the fact that potentially my best career option in terms of flying 121 is to get on and stay at the regional level. However, I can say that after seeing the downturn from all the hiring that took place in '07 and early '08 makes think twice and cringe.

On the other hand...nothing ventured...nothing gained!!!



atp

The better pay overseas is a temporary deal. Once the countries are able to start putting their people in the right seat and gain experience, it will only be a matter of time before we are no longer welcome (think europe). If I were single I would be there right now.

As for the pay well the inflation #'s speak volumes. I would like to think we are at the bottom already, for instance the pay at most legacies is not commensurate with that of a middle aged professional. But we keep lining up and paying the $50 app fees etc. or the 73 type. Last I heard South West has 40,000 apps on file. How's that for perspective 40,000 ppl with at least 1,000 turb PIC jockeying for an interview.

That's why i'm "all up outta heeya" of this bidness. Been doing this almost 20 yrs, and still not at 1000 pic (turbojet)

So what exactly are you guys telling the OP?
He's ready to hang up his headset.

"To each his own?"
"Stick with it, and get what you can out of it, better times ahead"?
"Get out now - it's a loosing game"?

Perfect example of the advisory value a forum has. Here we are arguing the industry, and it's people - but what do we tell the guy that is looking for advise and opinion?