flyguy23

If it took you that long, then you were hired well before the 06 contract, which means 50k for you is FAR different than 50k today. In todays world, it doesn’t go far at all. I agree first year pay shouldn’t discourage anyone from coming, but that doesn’t change the fact it can be incredibly hard on someone and their family for that year. It’s not being ungrateful to IPA gains to point that out or worry about it.

IPA brothers and sisters took great care of me when I went through that and you first year guys will never buy a meal if we fly together.

Joachim

It’s nothing personal. Today most UPS candidates are probably older and more qualified than when you were hired. Many are supporting a family. You’ll be hard pressed to do that in 2022 on first year pay to put it mildly. It is completely understandable that they are asking for advice on how to make it through that first year financially.

CardboardCutout

Tons of 0% APR intro cards out there. If you can't make it a year on more money than the average American earns in a year, maybe your judgement is in question? To be clear, I'm not advocating for the first year pay scale. It sucks, and we all know it sucks, because we all suffered through it. I wish it didn't exist. But if that's the only thing keeping you away, I don't think you're thinking about it clearly.

tnkrdrvr

Our first year pay is an abomination. Our competitive applicants are in their 40s with decades of experience. Yes, the pay and benefits after year one are outstanding, but we miss out on guys who can simply go to FedEx, Delta, United, etc and never take that financial hit. For someone in their twenties or even early thirties, the financial hit is less because they are probably not accustomed to a higher income level and have fewer obligations. For our average new hire, they have families to care for and typically are accustomed to a low six figure income level. It’s tough and takes a lot of discipline and sacrifice to shoehorn their family into a $50k budget.

All that said, I still see first year pay as a recruiting challenge for the company to solve. The IPA is perfectly willing to amend the contract to allow a higher pay scale for new hires, but we shouldn’t “give” anything in exchange.

Russell Kasse

While on that topic. Thanks to all you guys and gals for the meals and beverages on the road for us new people. It’s very appreciated and I definitely plan on paying it forward.

ClncClarence

My god what a ****-poor argument. So lemme get this straight…you think a $50k salary for a professional aviator with a decade or potentially much more experience is acceptable because they can just live on credit for a year? Also, are you comparing our profession and to the ‘average American’? What a crock. Make sure to point out how us pilots are so much like the ‘average American’ during your next round of negotiations.

What about a 50 year old with two kids in college who has a stay-at-home wife? If you are used to a $150k salary and then suddenly have to make everything work with a 67% pay cut that’s gonna take some major financial maneuvering. What ‘questionable judgement’ is involved here?

CL300

I would think any smart wife that stays home while kids are in college (no longer in the house) might go get a job for a year to help chip in with the expenses. Because year two and beyond are well worth it to come to UPS.

C2078

Cannot emphasize enough to prospective new guys to not solely focus on just that 2nd year pay carrot. Don’t take my word for it, ask friends at UPS, ask to see bid packages, ask them about our glorious trip trade system, ask about our BV day bidding system, ask about our Hotel quality, etc.

ClncClarence

The wife of a professional pilot shouldn’t have to go bag groceries for a year because an $85B company doesn’t want to pay their new hires a wage consummate with their experience.

I don’t have a dog in this fight, I already fly for the other box hauler, but I’m just tired of listening to people justify crappy first year wages in this industry just because that’s how it’s always been done. Not paying for lodging during NH training is another embarrassment. My place is guilty of that one too.

CardboardCutout

It seems like you maybe didn't read the rest of my post.