how to go about a pay raise

[Freight Dog]

Exactly what Amish Rakefight said... it's fair to ask for a minimal increase now. Just remember though - when you leave that job for another one, I hope you learned something here - you'll never get a big payraise if you take a below-market salary just to get in. You'll almost always struggle at below-market salary.

 

[acat]

thanks for all the advise. They have been pretty similar raises annually for the last 5 years. I have argued to the chief pilot at each review that I am underpaid but he doesn't seem to do much about it. I thought about going over his head to the owner but I don't believe that would be the smartest thing to do. I probably did accept the job for too low of pay years ago but at the time it was better than flying freight and the pay was slightly higher. Plus I got to move back home instead of living in craphole apartments. It didn't bother me as much until I realized what most my pilot friends are making. I suppose I will continue to ride out the storm and hope things get better in the next couple of years.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

How many hours do you average a month?

 

[acat]

I used to fly about 400 a year. Its down significantly this year but starting to pick back up. I do more sitting at fbos than anything else.

 

[Hugh Johnson]

If there's no cash coming, ask if they will pay for or upgrade your cell phone or something flight related like that. New headset, etc. It doesn't show in your check, but it might be stuff you're having to pay for so effectively it's a raise. Better health care plan, 401k bump, loss of license insurance.

 

[Jetdriver69]

Even fortune 25 companies are not being generous with raises this year. I got a whole 2.5%, but better than a pay cut. I'm pretty sure the powers that be would let a senior international captain walk out the door over pay issues. Hopefully, this year will be a little better for everyone. I flew a Cheyenne for a small company in the south that paid $60,000 a year with bennies a few years ago. I sold the Cheyenne and bought the owner a 1993 Citation II with low hours. He offered me $125,000 to run his one airplane aviation department when I told him I was quitting to fly for my present company. You never know what will be offered until you ask, just don't talk yourself out of a job!

 

[semperfido]

I have come to the conclusion that I am severely underpaid. I make mid 40s and fly a cheyenne for a corporate flight department. I have been there for over 5 years and have 4k total time and an atp certificate. I like my schedule and location but its really starting to get to me that most my pilot friends are making close to double my salary. I keep saying the big raise will come next year but now I've been told that there will be no raises this year and I have my annual review in a couple of months. I am very thankful to still have a job but was wondering if you guys have any tips for me to convince my employers that I'm worth more. I know its not the best time to argue salary but thought i'd feel it out.

Look, it is time to move on. You are 2nd fiddle in a two man show on a turboprop (not that there is anything wrong with that), but where is your ambition? Look down the road. Don't bitch it is tough out there, just start looking. Talk to people. You may have to move. That is a good thing. There is no big raise coming, ever. This isn't a dress rehearsal. Move on.

 

[siouxicide]

If there's no cash coming, ask if they will pay for or upgrade your cell phone or something flight related like that. New headset, etc. It doesn't show in your check, but it might be stuff you're having to pay for so effectively it's a raise. Better health care plan, 401k bump, loss of license insurance.

I second what Hugh said. They'll tend to choke at any pay increase and they unfortunately have several excuses why they shouldn't, ie economy, pilots on the street, cheaper low timers, etc. Like others have said, don't rock the boat and start getting your feelers out there. If they've continuously kept you underpaid, why would it ever change? If that's where you want to stay then arm yourself with NBAA numbers, etc. Keep the faith because the pilot pool is drying up. Who wants to pay like a doctor in order to get the pay and respect of a doorman?

 

[2000Easyguy]

FWIW, I took a pay cut 1st Q. Ever since then, flying has increased by maybe +/- 30%. Somewhere I crossed over to Bizarro world.

If you've been there 5+ years, you should have a good rapport with the boss man. Good luck!

 

[pushntin]

Don't feel bad... I took a 65% pay cut flying a large cabin aircraft, just to keep my job. It doesn't even cover the bills anymore.