Highest paying flying job

[Non Union]

So with all things being equal w/ quality of life and other intangibles, which flying job would yield the biggest payoff strictly based on cash earnings for a pilot with 30 years left.

Southwest?
UPS?
FedEx?
United?
Continental?
Delta?
Emirates??
Air Force?

 

[Deuce130]

Depends on too many factors to determine. What seat are you in? How long are you there? When will you upgrade? How much extra would you work? Max days off or min days? I'm not sure what you're trying to start on this thread, but it'd be easier for you to look up the different payrates, set your own upgrade timeline, and get out your calculator. It'd be easier than listening to a bunch of us idiots on FI.com. Of course, all you're really doing is flamebaiting. Dork.

 

[N1atEcon]

UPS or FedEx, one of the them will have to provide career earnings because I have no idea but it is a lot $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$..

 

[Flyby1206]

I dont think anyone can predict who will be the highest paid carrier in the future. Look at the cargo companies and SWA, they were some of the lowest paid in the industry just a few years ago. 30 years is a LONG time, go somewhere you can enjoy life as well as make a paycheck.

 

[willNOTfly4free]

30 years is a LONG time, go somewhere you can enjoy life as well as make a paycheck.

Agreed.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Just think. 30 years ago someone asked this question and was probably told "Definitely Pan Am, maybe American. Just stay away from the cargo carriers."

 

[blzr]

If you are in it to get rich, get your MBA and go to Wall Street. Won't be as much fun, but you can go to work in a cubicle from 9-5 and make more money.

 

[coogebeachhotel]

If you are in it to get rich, get your MBA and go to Wall Street. Won't be as much fun, but you can go to work in a cubicle from 9-5 and make more money.

Yep and dead at 50 from heart attack, gold digging wife, coke problem. Too many friends from B school on that route.

 

[xrated]

So with all things being equal w/ quality of life and other intangibles, which flying job would yield the biggest payoff strictly based on cash earnings for a pilot with 30 years left.

Southwest?
UPS?
FedEx?
United?
Continental?
Delta?
Emirates??
Air Force?

I'll bet it's a corporate job not listed above.

 

[dashocho]

I won't take that bet. I'll bet there are sweet corporate jobs out there right now that would make us all jealous. This from a SWA guy with 31 years left(age 65).

 

[CheyDogFlies]

My 2c:
With all things being equal, starting as an FO, normal upgrades for each company, no changes to the current pay scales, B Funds and profit sharing considered, and no major change to the industry over the next 30 yrs (HA!)...
1. UPS
2. SWA
3. FDX

 

[pilotyip]

Once you pick any one on your list except USAF, your highest earning will come from the one you pick. Because if you change jobs in pursuit of the highest dollar you will always go backwards. Plus you never know what happens when you change jobs, remember the smart pilot who left SWA, UPS for DAL, UAL back in 2000 and 2001, because of the fantastic pay rates. Expect nothing you will never be disappointed

 

[willNOTfly4free]

I think a better question is, 'Which of these airlines will no longer be in operation 30 years from now?'

 

[Ex737Driver]

What about these guys......................?


http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/cargo/abx_air.html

 

[samballs]

Yep and dead at 50 from heart attack, gold digging wife, coke problem. Too many friends from B school on that route.

Problems 2 and 3 sound great

 

[JetSpeed219]

I thought ABX were the highest paid by hour?

 

[BoilerUP]

If you have an MBA and are working on Wall Street, you're gonna be working a helluva lot longer than 40 hours per week...and while the $$$ can be good, remember NYC ain't exactly Omaha when it comes to cost of living.

 

[penguin22]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was an ABX pilot at the top of the list.

 

[doer42]

Probably the Air Farce. You know they won't go out of business. The retirement is protected. And AMC, which is really the the name of heavy guy's Union, are the toughest contract negotiators in the business. I have known airlines that wish they had the sweet work rules these guys have. No worries about on-time performance and mission accomplishement comes second or third after crew rest and lifestyle.

 

[Mooseflyer]

I have known airlines that wish they had the sweet work rules these guys have.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and just assume you're joking here.

 

[DLax85]

So with all things being equal w/ quality of life and other intangibles, which flying job would yield the biggest payoff strictly based on cash earnings for a pilot with 30 years left.

Southwest?
UPS?
FedEx?
United?
Continental?
Delta?
Emirates??
Air Force?

Go Air Force for 20 then see which of these is best over the last 10-15 yrs....it will diversify your risk and provide you with a much broader taste of life then staying at one place for 30+ years. Live overseas to the max extent possible early on and don't get too hung up on making rank --- fly, see the world, and serve your country. The retirement you'll gain will give you much flexibility on the type of airline or other non-flying job you pursue afterwards.

...just my two yens worth of course.

 

[c9skytrain]

I;d say ABX

 

[Benhuntn]

Fedex and UPS have to be at the top for pay and SWA has to be at the top for beer consumption.

 

[G4G5]

I'll bet it's a corporate job not listed above.

I hear that loud and clear, I know plenty of corporate guys pulling down W2's larger then 12 year Fedex widebody guys (based upon $225 an hour at 74 hours per month with thier A and B funds included).

While it's not the norm, they are out there and I am glad to see it.

I have said it a million times, the best corporate jobs blow away the the best airline jobs.

The worst corporate jobs make a day at a Nike shoe factory with no bathroom breaks look like paradise.

 

[1st Overnite]

I know plenty of corporate guys pulling down W2's larger then 12 year Fedex widebody guys

What companies? I knew some who made over 100k, but none over 200k. And the F/O's made much less.

 

[av8orboy]

I'll bet it's a corporate job not listed above.

I know G-IV of a guy making $350k/yr. Ooo. and last year his boss handed him $85k in cash for Christmas.

 

[whymeworry?]

Go Air Force for 20 then see which of these is best over the last 10-15 yrs....it will diversify your risk and provide you with a much broader taste of life then staying at one place for 30+ years. Live overseas to the max extent possible early on and don't get too hung up on making rank --- fly, see the world, and serve your country. The retirement you'll gain will give you much flexibility on the type of airline or other non-flying job you pursue afterwards.

...just my two yens worth of course.

Yeah, AF for 20 THEN get yourself on a senority list. Brilliant!

 

[G4G5]

What companies? I knew some who made over 100k, but none over 200k. And the F/O's made much less.

Most of them are not the big named Fortune 500 companies that you would think of.

The folks you have never heard of pay the best. With the advent of so many hedge funds all you need to do is look at a list of the wealthiest individuals in the US and those are the one willing to ante up the big bucks. They are the ones with the big corporate jets. The better funds will pay you a bonus based upon their funds performance. They will also let you invest into their funds (that are typically saved for those with extensive net worths)

Someone worth multi billions has no problem paying his pilots top dollar for his and his families safety.

 

[Falconjet]

I think John Travolta has it.

FJ

 

[TheBaron]

Fedex and UPS have to be at the top for pay and SWA has to be at the top for beer consumption.

You have obviously never spent a Hong Kong layover with an old Tiger pilot!