Job Offer

[Skyline]

King Air

Lead Sled.

A year ago I had another King Air opportunity. They asked for my salary requirements and I told them at least 60K. Their counter offer was almost half. I stalled and soon after the plane went away and they didn't buy it. They did however send me to King Air school and payed my whole way. You would think I could find something out there, but there are few good jobs in the area.


Skyline

 

[350DRIVER]

Skyline,
Weak compensation packages, poor qol issues, etc, are a part of this industry as you are probably well aware of, they are a dime a dozen unfortunately. It is easy for many to make excuses for you "not" to accept the position, I have no excuses other than if it were me then I would pass on this offer. Too many other operators out there that *pay* a decent salary. Sometimes patience is a *key*, keep looking and pursuing other options and opportunities. If you are that "desperate" and in need of something right away then it would appear that your decision is already made. Good luck in whatever you decide that is in your best interest.

 

[Diesel]

The reason why the pay in your area is so low? Pilots continue to whore themselves out in your area.

 

[Skyline]

Low Pay

Diesel,

Everyones pay is low. I guess it is the custom and expectations of local employers to pay little. It is largely a farming community and they refuse to pay more. Thankfully our costs of living are lower than most places.

Skyline

 

[casper1nine]

then hang it up

if you do this for what is = to no money, you are doing yourself and your family wrong. as if that wasn't bad enough, the worst part is that you are f-ing me over when i try to demand a respectable wage for what i do. i don't take too kindly to that.... but i know you probably aren't thinking in those terms, so i am not going to take it personally .

you posted here looking for advice, and for better or worse, that is how i see it.

we all need a break, a leg up from time to time, but there are some serious principles involved here that you should not violate. have some respect for yourself and the future of your family. if this "wealthy family" can't afford to pay a pilot a REAL salary, i doubt that their airplane is in the best of condition if you know what i mean. in your shoes, i would treat this as a big sign to stay away from this situation.

if it is a choice between this or quiting flying, give it up.... the liability alone is not worth it.

best of luck in your decision.

-casper

 

[pilotmiketx]

Unless your farming community is in Argentina, there isn't any reason you should be paid much less than anyone else.
If an owner can afford $4 or $5 per gallon for Jet A, then he can afford to pay his pilots an industry average wage. Otherwise, there are a few airlines that would be glad to take his money.

 

[Dangerkitty]

To answer your questions. I live in Washington State. Aviation jobs just don't pay all that well overall here. Even Lear Captains barely reach 40K. It just isn't enough money.

BS. You need to go out and re-look at payrates. 40K for a Lear is about $20 less than the low end of the national average.

I have a family of four small sons. For the first time in my adulthood we have a good and peaceful life.

Good then your FIRST obligation is to your family and not your "dream" to fly airplanes.

A move to the city to make a few thousand more a year wouldn't be worth it.

Then why are you even considering it?

 

[Skyline]

Hanging it up

You guys are all correct. It dosent make much sence to keep going under the current conditions. All I can offer is that is is difficult to walk away from so much effort and hardship. In addition as long as I keep an iron in the fire there is a chance things will work out. I have a good resume and there is still a thin chance that in a few years I could get picked up by my dream company. I would not move to the city to earn a little more but I would consider taking a low paying position close to home if the situation was acceptible. I would need to have the opportunity to earn a living outside of this job. I'll have to wait and see what they offer and what their attitude is like.

Skyline

 

[semperfido]

Well the job has some good and bad points.

I would become a stooge for a rich family.

I'll have to wait and see what they offer and what their attitude is like.

Skyline

your attitude is more important.

 

[Skyline]

Semperfido

SF,

I agree wholeheartedly.

Skyline

 

[Gulfstream 200]

24K is a lot for your attitude Skyline.

Take the job, consider yourself lucky, and enjoy being a "stooge" for them there rich folk!

what a joke.

 

[Skyline]

Gulfstream

GS 200,

You are quickly becoming one of my biggest fans and best friends. I am glad to see that you are watching my back.


Sincerely;

Skyline

 

[Dangerkitty]

GS 200,

You are quickly becoming one of my biggest fans and best friends. I am glad to see that you are watching my back.


Sincerely;

Skyline

Gulfstream 200 speaks the truth Skyline. Your attitude and self worth are a joke. No wonder you have gone no where in this industry.

 

[moonlight]

Skyline,
I live just east of you in MT, and have a job flying a King Air 350 (flew 5 WHOLE days this month, 13 hrs. It was tough...) Two owners, strictly Part 91, getting a brand new 350 next month. My salary is MORE than double what they are offering you, and I get bennies on top of that for my self and my family, at no additional expense!! Don't sell out!! When I interviewed for this job, they made a lowball offer. I refused it that time, and a second time as well. Finally, they asked what it would take, and I presented a list of terms and conditions. Some items were industry standard, some weren't. Long story short, they agreed. All it took was some effort on my part to show these guys what they were getting in return, and what would have been a mediocre corporate gig is now what I consider a dream job. Help those cheapskates understand that having to retrain pilots constantly as they keep leaving is MORE expensive than paying you more than slave wages, and you sticking around for a while.

 

[Skyline]

Dk

DK,

Not to correct you but I did go places in this industry, just nowhere I wanted to go. I am considered quite a success by my peers. I also had a positive attitude but time, experience and years of disappointment have changed it a bit. I am not using just my own experiences. I have watched as my friends careers imploded as well. I still like to fly and miss the dream, but I can't fool myself into thinking that it will all work out as I did in my youth. I am glad that you can though.

Skyline

 

[Skyline]

DangerBoy

Dangerboy,

Thanks for the input. I will try as you mentioned, but the last time I stood up and demanded more I was shot down. The highest paid B200 guy in the area makes 39K and that is because he is also an IA and does the maintainence as well.

Skyline

 

[Dangerkitty]

Dangerboy,

Thanks for the input. I will try as you mentioned, but the last time I stood up and demanded more I was shot down. The highest paid B200 guy in the area makes 39K and that is because he is also an IA and does the maintainence as well.

Skyline

Your numbers just dont add up. You are quoting the pay rates for a light piston twin. Either you live in some sort of black hole or every pilot in that area is nothing more than a whore.

The pay rates are even lower than what those idiots fly for down in Florida. Thats just embarrasing.

 

[the_dimwit]

Dangerboy,

Thanks for the input. I will try as you mentioned, but the last time I stood up and demanded more I was shot down. The highest paid B200 guy in the area makes 39K and that is because he is also an IA and does the maintainence as well.

Skyline

Skyline,

I'm not a pilot by trade, but the issue you are being presented with is fairly universal. You MUST take pride in yourself, your skills, and your trade. Therefore, the offer should be refused.

If they "shoot you down," then you have lost nothing. Your self-esteem / self-worth is still intact, and you are not working for an employer who would force you to take a practically unlivable wage.

Just my 2 cents...

--Dim

 

[Skyline]

Self Esteem

I don't get your connection with Self Esteem and pay. If I don't take this job then I will have to buy flight time to stay current. It is almost worth is for that reason alone.

Sometimes I think that people get tunnel vision when it comes to pay. Locals don't expect to make more than 40K per year. It's just the norm around here. If I don't do it I am sure they will find someone who would. If the pay was a little higher then I am sure that the guy who is flying it now would move with the job. Even the Hoirizon Air pilots don't make a whole lot more, and believe me it is a much harder job. There is another company nearby that is looking for pilots to fly an aero commander and the pay is close to 25K per year. I would consider it but they are on the road a lot.

Skyline

 

[Lead Sled]

Uncle, I give up.

'Sled