Lower pay for Cargo Pilots?

[Masterplan]

I have noticed from other postings on this site as well as from general knowledge of the industry that cargo pilots routinely get paid less to fly the same or similar equipment. Can anyone tell me why the pilots for companies like this put up with that?
One example I have seem recently is Ameriflight. Supposedly their 99 pilots make less than 30,000 a year for the first few years yet they are flying a turbine airplane the size of a B-200.
One post on the corporate part of this site says that is what SIC's make on that plane for corporate flying and Ameriflight pilots are flying as a single pilot Captain.
I would love opinions on this subject and a reflection of the industry standard on pay for turbine aircraft as well.
Fly safe.

 

[El Cid Av8or]

My guess is that it doesn't mean as much if you're flying boxes around instead of people. Yeah, it pretty much sucks that you are flying in the worst weather, most of the time with poorly maintained aircraft and have unfavorable duty hours. That's what I understand freight hauling is. I haven't done it but most likely will after I get my ratings finished up and build some time to be part 135 qualified. I probably wouldn't really mind it though since it's kind of like being on the front line in the trenches, so to speak.

 

[hyper]

As a general statement, that's about right. However, I'll make more than twice this year flying a 310 as some of my counterparts flying regionals. Generally speaking though, I believe their payscale will escalate at a slightly faster rate than mine. They just have to avoid filing bankruptcy and find a way to feed their families in the meantime. I chose cargo for the excellent experiance and since you generally get paid more than regionals in the beginning. More power to those guys, but on principle I refuse to be responsible for 19-50 additional lives while the guy at the 7-11 that I get my coffee from is making more than I.

I would love opinions on this subject and a reflection of the industry standard on pay for turbine aircraft as well.

It's all ba$$ackwards and it all $ucks for the first 10 years or so. But that's what you get when employed at a job that is so highly desired with a lot of competition. "If you won't do it, the next guy will." It's almost like being forced into prositution.

 

[another cfii]

I've been CFIing for a year, and now just below 135 min (1000 ttl). I asked for a job at a local on-demand cargo flying CV-340 & CV-580. They give me the job flying right seat on the 340, with a 1 year commitment. I observe they do fly quite a bit on the 580, but not the 340. If i want to move up to SIC on the 580, I need to stick around an additional 1 year (so 2 year total). I'm more concerned about my flying time, since I don't see them fly the 340 that much, chief pilot told me to expect about 500/yr, but I'd be grateful if i get about 400 hr/yr. The pay was tough to gulp down, cuz it's just a bit notch up above CFI, which for me, it's alright, but should I stick with it? I know i'm not gonna be a CFI anymore, so I shouldn't pick up any bones employer throws at me, but in this economy... I think i know the answer, but just want any opinions on any previous Convair drivers, how much they get paid in the beginning flying SIC on Convair. Any info appreciated.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

At the company I fly for (similar to Ameristar) I fly as an FO in a mid-size biz jet, cargo. The starting pay for a new FO by next summer will be a base pay of about $41K.

A starting FO flying for Gulfstream (the co. that makes the jets) gets about $85 or so, but they're top of the line. It's all relative.

Cliff
GRB

 

[A Squared]

A starting FO flying for Gulfstream (the co. that makes the jets) gets about $85 or so, but they're top of the line. It's all relative.

GRB

By contrast a starting FO at Gulfstream (the company that takes your money) *pays* about $72 per hour, but they're bottom of the barrel. you're right, it's all relative.

regards

 

[Publishers]

Cargo Pay

The difficulty here is to understand that often pay is reflective of the industry. Your answer would be that cargo carriers are airlines flying airline equipment but the fact is that is not the industry.

Flying checks has a value. Regardless of aircraft, that value does not change.

Flying cargo is the same thing. Most air freight companies make their money off the cargo that is in trucks on an airbill and lose when the cargo has to be flown.

While difficult to explain here in a small area, it may be acceptable in one industry to have a crew flying an A300 makining a combined $300k and not in another. The reason is that in one case the revenue is sufficient and in another it is not.

 

[pilotyip]

Compared to what?

Is not cargo pay genrally above small plane scheduled pax for the same size equip?

 

[Masterplan]

I guess what puzzles me is that it is up to the owner of the airplane to decide not only what plane to fly but also what to charge the customer. It makes no sense that as a pilot I should get paid less to fly a King Air full of checks than full of people. If you can't make money flying a King Air because you either can't fill it up or your customers aren't willing to pay you market value for that plane and pilot then you are done. Out of the game. That is business. It is especially frustrating to see such a large difference in those salaries when the pilot pay is one of the smalest parts of the operating costs.

 

[habubuaza]

I wouldn't be surprised if UPS pilots ends up with an INDUSTRY leading payscale.