CommutAir Question

[NEDude]

Can't argue with the pay issue at Commutair, as an FO it is pretty low (hey I just got approved for foodstamps). But you have to put it in perspective with similar airlines. Compare the Commutair compensation package with other small 1900 operators. I think if you look at it, Commutair comes out on top. To compare the payscales at ExpressJet, an all jet airline with close (maybe even over) 200 airplanes to Commutair, which has less than 20 Beech 1900s, is a bit extreme.

Also I think you need to look at things other than just pay. Commutair is growing right now, at a time when most others are downsizing. Everyone who was on the seniority list prior to this expansion, will upgrade by August. And some who are being hired as a result of the expansion could see upgrade times of less than nine months. Given that there are some bigger airlines out there hiring right now, and that they are taking Commutair guys (Air Tran, Alaska, Southwest), the upgrade and a chance to move on to within a year and a half or two is a pretty good deal in this environment.

 

[shamrock]

And I can't believe you're considering our suspect "ESOP" part of your compensation.

What's up with the ESOP litigation, El Capitan? And when are you going to AirTran?

 

[dhc8ap]

Socal pilots response

Apparently you don't pay taxes like the rest of us.
76 Hrs x 18.00=1368 GROSS

After Fed and NY State taxes you will only take home about 800 a month, 1000 tops. At Commutair you never go over guarantee that's how they keep costs down.

These interviewees have the right to know what to relatively expect at CA. Granted a flying job is better than no job but when I was there I was working the night shift at Albany Memorial Hospital and flying during the day just to keep the rent paid and be able to buy groceries.

They are "expanding" due to CAL mainline allowing us to go to CLE and EWR. When we switched over to CAL Connection from Airways we were forbidden to compete with Express in CLE and EWR.

In general the salaries suck at some of the regionals but we all do it just to pay our dues but one has to ask themself if its worth it, when you want see a job at the majors for 5-7 yrs?

 

[dhc8ap]

Commutair-Another word of caution

Commutair also furloughed over half its pilot staff in Aug. 2001.
Hmmm. How quickly we forget. That was pre-9/11 environment due to financial concerns etc. Don't be so quick to read so much into growth in a post 9/11, wartime, suck-a** economy and SARS environment. Piedmont cancelled their orders for 311s and ACA is now sending people home. Mesa has a contract with Airways to bring on 50 more rj's but they aren't hiring either?!

I really don't think any airline has the key to success in this environment as the industry has never been faced with so much at one time.

 

[LearLove]

"Can't argue with the pay issue at Commutair, as an FO it is pretty low (hey I just got approved for foodstamps). "

NEDude, can you give us some info on foodstamps, are you in NY state, how do you go about this, I'm not kidding or anything, I'll take any advantage I can get.

Also on this subject does anyone have info on qualifing for a low income morgage/housing?

Thanks

 

[145EXR]

when i bought my house my bank took one look at my w-2 and qualified me for a 1st time home buyer/low income loan..it was about 1 percent below current market value..i just refinanced and yet again, when i told them what i made, i got the lower income loan...just ask your bank if they offer these programs (i know in nj and ny that they have to by law)..good luck!

 

[socalpilot]

Apparently you don't pay taxes like the rest of us

dhc8ap, your probably right. I have a very good tax preparer that gets me a very low tax bill at the end of the year. And it's all legal. Also, when calculating takehome pay don't forget to include aproximately $30 for every overnight trip in non taxable per diem. Probably abour 1/2 to 1/3 that amount for day trips. All I'm trying to convey is that my takehome pay has been better than the $800 to $1000 a month that you calculated. The 76 hour guarantee is in a 28 day bid. 13 bids a year. 76 X 13 = 988/12 months = 82.33 hours per month. Now I'm not saying that CommutAir is the greatest place to work, just that it's better than most people give credit for. I'm happy here and in the end that's all that really matters.

 

[NEDude]

I don't know what kind of taxes you are paying, or figuring, but my first year at Commutair, my weekly paycheck after taxes was $315/week. At 52 weeks per year, that works out to $1365 TAKE HOME per month, a lot more than the $800-$1000 you are quoting. And that is not figuring in per diem either.

As for the foodstamps, I am not in New York, but with most places, contact the state department of Children and Family services, or your local welfare offices. Be prepared for a TON of paperwork, and a lot of raised eyebrows when they see you are an airline pilot.

Lastly, Commutair is NOT serving EWR, it is only CLE.