Mechanics Pay??

[Weasel Keeper]

And...

If a car's engine quits, the driver and pax can just pull over and get out.

 

[Maiko]

Mech's pay

I agree with all on looking elsewhere. This has been fun, but if you are looking for cash, it's not here. True, auto mechs make much more without all the grief. I don't regret being a acft mech, but would steer others away from it today.
Good luck with what ever you decide.
Mike

 

[FreightDogs]

I want to switch mostly for the better hours.I really need to be around to watch my kids. Every place i have wrenched on aircraft demanded screwy hours(shift work or on call) and lots of OT. Granted the quality of people in a muffler shop are lower (the customers!) I would much rather deal with a pilot than a person who thinks I am a stereotypical grease monkey. BUT family comes first.

I love everything about aircraft, and I am gonna miss being around them. The smell of burnt jet fuel at 4am....the frozen can of soda sitting on my toolbox, and signing .."I certify that...." until my hand cramps. If I had to do it over again I would still have gotten my A&P and taken that first job for 5bucks an hour.

I just wanted some insight from someone who has tread down the road I am on....
Thanks for all your replies.

 

[Some guy]

There are still a good number of pilots that think of us as grease-monkeys.

Does anyone happen to have a copy of the mechanics creed that ended with something to the effect of "when you see the pilot make his way through the air, it was the grease stained mechanic that put him there"?

 

[FreightDogs]

LOL!

I get those guys bask with an M.E.L. sticker on the autopilot!

 

[Weasel Keeper]

Here ya go Some Guy,

************************
Author Unknown

Through the history of world aviation
Many names have come to the fore,
Great deeds of the past in our memory will last
As they're joined by more and more.


When the first man started his labor
in his quest to conquer the sky
He was a designer, mechanic and pilot,
and he built a machine that would fly.


The pilot was everyone's hero
He was bold, he was brave, he was grand,
As he stood by his battered old biplane
With his goggles in his hand.


But for each of our flying heroes
There were thousands little renown,
And these were the men who worked on the planes
But kept their feet on the ground.


We all know the name of Lindbergh,
And we've read of his flight into fame,
But think, if you can, of his maintenance man,
Can you remember his name?


Now, pilots are highly trained people
And wings are not easily won.
But without the work of the maintenance man
Our pilots would march with a gun.


So when you see the mighty jet aircraft
As they mark their path through the air,
The grease-stained man with the wrench in his hand
Is the man who put them there.

 

[Maiko]

LOL!

I get those guys bask with an M.E.L. sticker on the autopilot!

Yeah it has its rewards.

 

[sbn340mech]

LOL!

I get those guys bask with an M.E.L. sticker on the autopilot!

hehe, i loved doing that. The best one was when I had to do MEL it at the gate prior to departure. flight crew was not to pleased.

 

[sbn340mech]

I started at Chicago Express right out of school as a mech. for 12.00/hr plus .25 night shift. Worked my way up and a little over two years when ATA shut us down I was a QA inspector, run/taxi qualified making 16.50/hr.

 

[Painkiller]

That's a terrible paycheck, for what we do. My ex-brother-in-law paints for the painters union, back in Pittsburgh, and he makes about 27$/hour.

For painting stinking walls, he makes 11 MORE an hour than you, and you're responsible for the lives of everyone on board that aircraft.

That is beyond my comprehension.

I'm currently employed by "soon to be a footnote in aviation history" Delta Airlines. The hourly rate I'm making AT THE MOMENT, is just a hair over $30/hour. That's after the 10 percent paycut I just took at the beginning of the year. I can expect another one of at least that magnitude and, another increase in the cost of our mediocre medical benefits.

There is no one in aircraft maintenance that should be making even average US pay.

A surgeon makes a mistake and kills a person. We make a mistake and kill many. Why would anyone even bother with the responsibility, the hours, adverse working conditions, FAA pressure, ect...for a lousy paycheck?!!?

I've been with Delta for almost 17 years now. Almost all of that time has been spent out here on the flightline. Currently, I'm working international aircraft, and have been for the past 5 years.

I have a new resume written up and, I'm getting a cover letter made.

There is no way I'm taking another paycut and staying in this job.

It's just not worth it in any way, shape, or form. Car mechs at the local Chevy garage making more/less responsibility, my ex bro painting, PAINTING!!!! making more/less responsibility, elevator mechanics at the airport making about the same/less responsibility....it just goes on and on.

Anyone going to school to get into this "career" seriously needs to have his/her head examined.

It's THAT bad....sorry to say and, sorry that I choose poorly to become an amt.