Let's look at the num's
Ok, G4G5, you can selectively choose your upgrade estimates from previous posts.
One guy said:
"3 years to upgrade on the bus is not likely. 12-14 months upgrade on the E190 is plausible. After the 2 year fence comes down for the initial E190 captains, they will most likely slowly transition back to the left seat of the bus. First batch of E190 captains will start training late August. First revenue flight is October 1st. The most junior bus captain now is around #570 with roughly 50 FOs who could hold captain now but have not bid captain; there are roughly 1100 total pilots.
My guess is if you interview August 5th and get hired, you'll start training around October. With 10 captain upgrades per month on the bus, you're looking at around 5 years to upgrade.
Congratulations on getting the interview, hope you get hired. You can always brain storm after you're offered the job."
Another JB dude posted before him, saying:
"Congrats on getting the call. I'll take a stab at your question. I believe around 140ish(maybe 150) bid captain on the 190, and those of us that did not, are locked out for two years. So, I'd say your reference to 1yr. upgrade on the 190 is probably pretty close. 3 yrs. for the 'Bus seems pretty close as well. Good luck!"
I personally believe the truth will pan out to be closer to the second estimate, 1 yr to upgrade in the 190, 3 yrs to the Bus. We'll receive a new 190 every 3-4 weeks, just like we have, and will continue with the Buses. Historically, we have manned about 13 crews per airplane. We had about 150 folks already on the property bid for the 190.
Conservatively estimating 13 aircraft delivered per year would mean 169 (a very nice number) E-190 Capts required in the first year alone. Somebody has to upgrade within that first year to fill those slots (sts).
Also, you have to look at what guys will actually earn in a year, not just the basic hourly pay rate. Remember, we get time and a half for everything over 70 hours. Most lineholding folks fly about 85 hours/month (and get 16-18 days off with that schedule).
But lets be pessimistic in our estimate and use only our guarantee rates (70 hours/month, no overtime) for a 10 year period showing annual pay:
1) 31,080 (E-190 FO earning less than one would on reserve)
2) 60,480 (E-190 CA, less than a reserve guy)
3) 97,440 (A-320 CA, less than reserve)
4) 99,120 (ditto... etc)
5) 101,640
6) 103,320
7) 105,840
8) 107,520
9) 110,040
10) 111,720
Total over a 10-yr period for a guy flying WAY LESS than the norm around here:
$928,200
Now, let's be a bit more realistic hours-wise, but with way longer upgrade time than I would anticipate:
1) 34,400 (E-190 FO on reserve, not likely, for an entire year, 75 hours/month)
2) 44,400 (E-190 FO lineholder flying 85 hours/month)
3) 82,140 (E-190 CA on reserve, 75 hours/month)
4) 84,360 (E-190 CA lineholder, 85 hours/month)
5) 112,530 (A-320 CA on reserve, 75 hours/month)
6) 136,530 (A-320 CA lineholder, 85 hours/month)
7) 139,860 (ditto... etc)
8) 142,080
9) 145,410
10) 147,630
Total over a 10-yr period as a conservative estimate (some lineholding folks fly and/or get paid for a LOT more than 85 hours/month):
$1,029,340
Now, I don't know what the "norm" is at UPS, but given an upgrade at the 11 year point (and please correct me if I'm wrong, I got my info from airlinepilotpay.com), using the monthly guarantee of 81 hours for your first 10 years:
1) 26,244
2) 72,900
3) 78,732
4) 88,452
5) 93,312
6) 98,172
7) 103,032
8) 107,892
9) 113,724
10) 118,584
Total over a 10-yr period as things stand right now at UPS for someone flying only guarantee:
$901,044
After upgrading at UPS at the 11-year point, the annual salary is:
$177,876, maxing out at the 12-year point for:
$182,736
A "typical", 85 hour/month 12-year JB A-320 CA will max out at:
$154,290
Remember, though, the JB guy upgraded a lot earlier. Over a 20-year period, the "typical" JB pilot will earn:
$2,766,120
Over the same 20-year period, a "typical" UPS pilot will earn:
$2,723,544 (flying only guarantee, 81 hours/month)
A UPS pilot flying 85 hours/month for his entire 20-year career will earn:
$2,858,040
Total advantage for the UPS 85-hour guy over 20 years:
$91,920
Certainly not pocket change, but maybe not the huge disparity folks might mistakenly believe in over the long term.
I, for one am pretty darn happy where I am. I think our E-190 folks are gonna' do just fine over the long haul, and this ignores the possibility of an E-190 pay raise (nothing promised) once the airplane proves (or disproves) its economic viability.
Of course, each pilot has to decide which company they would rather work for (or be fortunate enough to get hired by). Both are great companies.
Company cultures aside, let the (real) numbers do the talking. I've heard about enough uninformed ranting about pay rates....
Shaggy