Airline Pay cuts driving away best pilots

[ROSWELL41]

I'll add this. In a few years we may actually be in a position to have a real pilot shortage. The one everyone has been hoping for. I am convinced that it will be thwarted by the MPL. If that does not happen, I expect cabotage to be sold as the only way to solve our 'shortage'. The top guys and management will benefit and that will be the final nail in the coffin.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Most of the individuals I fly with have advance degrees. I myself decided that to make 150-180K a year as an FO in 10 years, and 280-350K as a CA at the end game, was worth going after my dream, instead of being a Doctor. I gave up med school for this.
My point is that at many majors that is the norm. The military pilot went to the airlines instead of consulting et al, why because there was enough money in it, that he choose to make a little less and enjoy what he is doing. The civilian got in to it because it paid fairly well, and it was what he loved to do. (I knew I would make less than a medical profession, but decided that 200K+ was good enough for me. I was going to be a radiologist. They start at 600K a year and have over 15 weeks of vacation Most of them are making over 1 million their first year out of residency. Point is that I knew there would bea difference)
Now take these pay cuts and other cuts we have all faced. I cannot leave to go be a Dr. I would be in my late 40's before I would be out of residency. I have the proverbial handcuffs on. I am not the issues, and management knows that. What the issue is, is what is around the corner.
People going the civilian track are finding it very hard to get financing for a Riddle degree. Why? Well, the banks know we are paid horribly and we are a bad risk. Most regional FO's just default on their 200K loans. Military guys have a longer commitment. If you are in for 10 might as well go for 20 and get a retirement. We all know that there is not one in the airlines.
Furthermore, anyone with an iota of intelligence realizes that there are other jobs out there that will pay much more for a lot less effort, pain and suffering. In effect I will just buy my airplane and fly it on the side. I know if I had a crystal ball and could see this I would of.
Qualified people, the ones that you parents want flying them will not become pilots in the future, that will effect the safety of our profession.
management assigns a cost to safety, they have just been able to stick it to this generation because they know we cannot leave.

Good post ACL.
Glad the ASA days are behind...!

 

[pilot125]

How many of us will "make it" and have the luxury of being in Sully's position some time in the next 10-20-30 years??? 1 out of 10 of us? Maybe?????

And is that what the lucky ones have to look forward to...............$150,000/year..........after busting our hump for most of our career, spending over half the month away from our wives (or husbands) and children--all of the birthdays we miss, and first steps and first toothe being lost, and graduation parties, and anniversary parties missed......and not being able to do the saturday afternoon backyard BBQ with neighbors, and so on......

To one day, at 63 years old, to be able to make $150,000 as a senior airline captain.........to quote one of my favorite movie lines from good ole Jack Nickolson, "IS THIS AS GOOD AS IT GETS?"

Cmon, $150,000 got you quite a bit 20 years ago, but to look forward to making that 10-20 years from now?

And I'm not saying that I have the solution, because I don't, but would really like to turn back the hands of time to make things "right" again for this industry.

Just saying.

 

[ROSWELL41]

I think one of the biggest problems with pilots is an issue of self worth. $100,000 is not much money anymore. (Insert response: "Well, here in Podunkville, Iowa, I could live like a king on that!")

 

[Jetjockey]

I think one of the biggest problems with pilots is an issue of self worth. $100,000 is not much money anymore. (Insert response: "Well, here in Podunkville, Iowa, I could live like a king on that!")

Or to the likes of Instructor Doosh, "i think $100,000 is more than enough living in my parent's basement"

 

[birdman1]

Ignore the DUDE!!!

Sometimes jobs have other perks that make up for the pay, which isn't all that bad in my opinion. 150k for a Capt and 75K for an FO is good money IMO.

Please flightinfo, just ignore this dude. I know who this is, and they are not even a pilot. This person is a loser who has no life, so they go on sites like flightinfo to stir-up emotions. They do this to get off. Again, please ignore the DUDE, and do not reply, as I will ignore you.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Sully makes what 150K/yr?, works 4 days a week, lives in a 500K house. For most of america this is a dream job. True it is not what is used to be(what is?), but it is still a great way to make a living. Maybe with Sully's input the college degree will continue to be less important is getting a flying job. BTW Do pilots still fly airplanes or do they program them?

I see you and Instructordude are on the same side of this argument -- by yourselves. How does it feel to have the same opinion as a flamebaiter?

At what point will pilot wages will be low enough so that you say, "Well, OK, we could all do with a pay raise."

BTW, lowering the bar by advocating the disposal of a college degree as a requirement for entering this field just drives another nail into the coffin.

 

[Whine Lover]

"I was going to be a radiologist. They start at 600K .....Most of them are making over 1 million their first year out of residency. " - ACL65

Mmmm..No, I don't think so:

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000062.html

And the Airline salaries you mentioned:

"150-180K a year as an FO in 10 years, and 280-350K as a CA at the end game"

Are you using 1999-2000 Pay scales adjusted for inflation or what?

YKW

 

[ACL65PILOT]

"I was going to be a radiologist. They start at 600K .....Most of them are making over 1 million their first year out of residency. " - ACL65

Want to bet. I know the guys that hires them for a health care conglomerate in the Midwest. Not the techs that go to school for a few years make less, but they are not the ones calling the shots.Mmmm..No, I don't think so:

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000062.html

And the Airline salaries you mentioned:

"150-180K a year as an FO in 10 years, and 280-350K as a CA at the end game"
Are you using 1999-2000 Pay scales adjusted for inflation or what?

A little older than that, but in essence yes, that is where I made my decision to continue in this career filed.

 

[Whine Lover]

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000062.html

So you're saying that this link/data is THAT far off base?

Like 100% or more?


YKW