Co-pilot position, what a joke!

[kwb13]

I saw a full-time co-pilot position posted on FliteJobs with the mins. 1000 PIC multi FW. Didn't say what type of aircraft, but the pay was $18,000 a year. Now I know why there is no way I can afford to keep this pipe dream. I don't even meet the requirements and I can't afford to take a job like that. I know this subject has been beaten to death, but love of flying doesn't pay the bills! People are absolutley SHOCKED when they find out what a FO or instructor makes. When I was on furlough, I took a bartending job and when I put my previous employer on my application and how much I made they were all APPALLED. They could not believe that the airline that took Grandma home for Thanksgiving was paying the pilots such a low rate and that those pilots had alot of people's lives in their hands.

I know you gotta start low as far as salary goes and then move up from there when your experience level goes up, but how in the hell are you supposed to SURVIVE gaining that experience?

You know what the sad thing is, there are probably THOUSANDS of people sending resumes for this job, and I know people that would do it for FREE. FREE, just for the flight time!!! That kinda s**t pisses me off. I spent a lot of time and money trying to do it the "right way" for nothing in return. There are guys (and girls) that get nothing but their COMM ME, Inst. and expect to be working for an airline or flying some corporate jet as soon as they get their ticket. This happens everyday because they are willing to work for FREE or PAY big bucks for the job.

What was the number to that truck driving school? I think I may need that.

 

[RUhiring?]

No Way

Not me my friend.
I'm certain that I meet all of the qualifications for that job, but I make more on unemployment ($442/week), and thanks to Uncle Sam, I'm on the dole for another 53 weeks. Call me a slacker, but I think I'll keep looking for a better offer.

 

[chperplt]

That is a lot of money per week for umemployment. Which state are you living in?

 

[Timebuilder]

Thanks to my high salary when I was working, I only get a little over $250 per week.

I am eating a lot of cheese, though.

 

[acarpe3448]

I was about to say the same thing. My unemployment is $335 a week.

 

[Long Time Gone]

Can't be FL......cap there is only $275.

 

[RUhiring?]

Pennsylvania.... I hear it is the second highest in the country.

However I don't think it matters where you live, it matters where you were based. Anyone know for sure?

 

[ultrarunner]

I filed where I lived, and not where I was based. Where I was based had such a crappy benefit. It worked.

However, I do know friends of mine that also live in my state, but filed where they were based, to take advantage of a slightly better benefit.

Either way, file where you'll get the highest benefit.

 

[metrodriver]

Thanks to my crappy jobs before I only get 177 a week. And dealing with the unemployment people is sometimes almost a full time job

 

[RUhiring?]

Pennsylvania.......

 

[Wang Chung]

Ohio gives me $220 a week to send out resumes and maintain my Atari Pong skills.

Wang.

 

[Cardinal]

After reviewing the bounteous frutiage of this glamorous aviation career, the state of Colorado deigned me worthy of 138/week. I decided that talking to a bureaucrat once a week just wasn't worth it.

 

[bobbysamd]

Colorado unemployment

Colorado unemployment is very strict. I recall that you have to document four job contacts a week as opposed to three in other states. You also have to submit a clear reason why you are out of work or you will be denied and have to go to hearing to recieve your benefits.

I received unemployment from Florida two times ten years ago. Florida was very easy to work with and automatically rolled me over to extended benefits. I have no complaints with the State of Florida. It took good care of me.

Back to the original topic, yeah, that company can get away with paying $18K per year. There will always be someone(s) who will take that kind of money. I remember my father always asking the rhetorical question about willingness to "work."

In that regard, just a word of warning to those on unemployment. If such a job is offered and you refuse it, it might count against you for receiving continued benefits. An Unemployment criterion is "able and available" for work. The job might require relocation and you could argue that it would be hardship to move for such little pay. Just a small point to consider.

Good luck to everyone who are seeking jobs.