I don't understand how this is possible. You make $67/hour give or take a few cents. Per diem doesn't count. 85,000/67 = 1269 hours for the year. You can only legally fly 1000 hours per year. Even to get 1000 hours/year (67k), you would have to average 83.33 hours per month. At 5 hours/day average (I'm guessing you don't get much more than that due to being a regional), you're looking at a 13.75 days off per month average. I know you get some vacation pay and there are some other variables, but your numbers seem to be stretching it. Counting per diem is the only way I can see you getting 85k. I've heard of 5th year Republic pilots claiming they make 100k. This is just not possible. Your base salary is $60,300/year. That is all you are guaranteed. The problem with this industry is no one knows how little we make because guys like you are always exaggerating their salaries.