Buckeye70 It was bad enough taking a paycut from being a CFI to be a freight dog. I was very lucky to work at a school that took care of their people and paid appropriately. That new jet smell can't pay the mortgage or help you save for retirement. Money isn't everything......when you have it. I actually filled out the Xjet online app and when I clicked NO on the box that said said:
I have agree with Buckeye70. I've been flying freight for almost 2 years and am making a rather good salary and can't afford to apply with one of the lower paying regionals. It has nothing to do with making career sacrifices, or taking 2 steps back to eventually go 3 steps forward, but it has everything to do with ...um, how do I say this.......everything to do with being paid $17-18k/yr! Think outside the Aviation industry, who would take a job, right out of college with a large corporation, making $17-18k a year?? Expressjet seems like a great company. The pay though, has to be embarrasing.
I would have to agree on this. The salaries at ExpressJet may be ridiculously low, but one has to keep in mind that it is a stepping stone towards a better career. By no means am I justifying the fact that EJ underpays their pilots, but for someone to completely close their mind to what could be a potentially prosperous airline career because of having to put up with a regional airline salary for a few years is a bit silly. Best of luck to the XJT pilots on the contract negotiations...you guys deserve better.Sam Fisher said:
Since 9/11 regional airlines have become much bigger stones, maybe more like giant boulders, that take much longer to get across...but nevertheless, I wouldn't consider them a long term career. This industry has always had its ups and downs, right now..its down. Saying that working for a regional airline is now a long-term career that you will do for 20 or more years just isn't very realistic. The airline industry will eventually revive, just as it always has. I'm not trying to be overly optomistic, just remembering history and the fact that the airline industry has, and always will be, a neverending roller coaster ride. I do believe strongly, however, that because pilots are having to spend longer times at regional airlines prior to progressing with their career, that they should be paid a reasonable salary for it.Sphincter Boy said:
