Quote:
Originally Posted by highflyer0685
I'm in a tough spot. Very junior CA here at AWAC. Not competitive enough for the legacies, can't afford the pay cut for the LLC's first year pay. Wondering if I should just hang tight and see what happens here (hopefully can get hired on to a legacy before FEB 2018) or jump ship to a commute air or PDT where I could get CA almost right off the bat. My biggest fear is a downgrade here at AWAC. Kind of wish I was a junior FO here and my choice would be easy.
It's unfortunate you are in that situation. I remember flying with many CA's who said the exact same thing when I was an F/O at AWAC. It was disheartening to hear these guys talk about not being able to leave. I vowed to never let myself get put in that situation.
I remember flying with a CA who just upgraded (2006-ish). This guy went out and bought a new $30k+ car. There goes your upgrade money! When I upgraded I bought a new suitcase (traded in the POS for a Purdy Neat).
I think this is a great lesson for guys on here. SAVE SAVE SAVE. You know the day will come. Don't put yourself in that situation. Don't buy a new car; don't buy a big house (unless wife is a doctor
). Live like you have as a first year F/O and pay off everything. This is so important.
Some guys might bail for a decent paying legacy. A select few. Most will end up at a LCC making $40k-$50k your first year. Maybe $60k-$70k your second. You might not catch up to AWAC CA pay for 3, 4, 5 years. I know a guy who lived in CLT turn down US Airways AFTER the merger because he couldn't afford the $35/hr first year pay (it went up to $75/hr about 10 months later). Great guy, but he put himself in that situation. He could be living in base, making $140k/yr working 3-5 days a month sitting short call on the 757...
I left AWAC at the beginning of Feb. My W2 showed $16k for that month. I made ~$30k the 11 months I was at my next carrier. I didn't miss a beat; I just put less in my savings account that year.