pilot pay theory

[jsoceanlord]

a wise guy said that flying is for rich guys.

capitalism being what it is, airline's can pay pilot's whatever the market permits.

fair or not, there it is

 

[jdog78]

Simple but true. This is not only true for aviation, but in many other industries. Pilots, it seems, are a dime a dozen...and that's what some regionals appear to be paying. It's all about supply and demand, and currently, supply far outstrips demand.
The pharmacist labor market, however, is tightly controlled. Few students get into school thereby controlling "population" of the industry. Upon graduation, they can choose (not scrounge for) a job with starting pay approaching $100K to push pills. Granted, the work of a pharmacist is specialized and important, but I think pilots deserve at least half that much for their work as compensation for the hours of button pushing/hand-flying performed and the years of training and timebuilding it takes to get to that point.

Perhaps we can learn something from our local pharmacist. Should the pilot labor market be controlled? How would that be accomplished? Essays? Test scores?

-j

 

[runnymeade]

A pilot is just like any other professional occupation, you are worth exactly the amount you can convince your employer to pay you.

 

[bart]

I agree with the above post,

however it is difficult and hard work to differentiate yourself and create the value for your company that would dictate higher pay when there are 10 guys waiting for your job that will do it for half the money (or less) that you are making. We just hired a pilot position that paid about 50% less than "market" (according to salary surveys). The salary was posted in the ad and we had 400 responses from qualified applicants in 48 hours.

Seems to me it will be sometime before the supply of pilots adjusts to the demand. I have done my part by leaving flying. It is sad to say that in three weeks, I have already made two months salary and spent more time with family and friends than in the previous 6 months.

It was a tough decision to leave, but actually I am having more fun and will make 5 to 6 times the money and while putting in substantially less time. I have found that real money is in taking risks, not working to reduce or eliminate them as in flying. (Don't take this as advice to fly the plane through the hangar with both doors open.)

In summing up, if you love to fly and can't imagine life without it, then stay. If you are flying waiting one day for the big payoff to make it all worthwhile, you MAY be setting yourself up for a big dissappointment.

 

[ultrarunner]

Re: I agree with the above post,

We just hired a pilot position that paid about 50% less than "market" (according to salary surveys). The salary was posted in the ad and we had 400 responses from qualified applicants in 48 hours.

Well GOOD FOR YOUR COMPANY.

It must make them very proud at the end of the day that they can SCREW AN EMPLOYEE and pay an excessively (50% less) low wage just because they can. And I'm SURE they mentioned to your new employee how many respondents they received!!!

I too just hired someone this past year. I took the salary right from NBAA and adjusted it slightly better than median. I too could have hired someone EASILY for less than half of what I paid. But our company does not want to be know for doing that, but for paying a competitive wage.

Several things occur in your example....

1. The employee will become acustomed to slutting themselves out, perpetuating the problem.

2. You get what you pay for. Employees don't like to feel taken advantage of, and when excitement of getting off unemployment wears off, you'll have an employee that resents you. And when the market shifts, you'll get the loyalty you deserve.

3. The company you work for gets know for how it likes to take advantage of employees.

You think companies like Kodak, GE, IBM, Coke, ect.... are our there hiring FO's for 20 grand and CPT's for 40 grand because the market will let 'em do???
I DON'T THINK SO!!

First-class oufits don't pull that crap, which is one of the things that differentiate them from oufits like yours.

Your outfit can take that 'supply and demand' attitude and SHOVE IT UP THEIR A$$.

 

[troyzohner]

The way i see it, I should return to running freight. when i say running freight, i mean as a bike messenger. I get no respect, get honked at all day, have car doors opened on me, ride in any weather usually 40 miles a day, making $2.50/delivery and i'm sure in due time i'll be hit by a car and I LOVE every second of it. I still make more than an FO and love the job. Dont get me wrong i love flying too. It seems like i am happier than most of the people complaining on here how they whore themselves. Maybe in time the industry will improve and there will be happier times and better pay, but for now i think i'll stick to waiting for a car to hit me while making my $2.50 delivery. Who knows maybe i can even fly skydivers for my flying fix on the weekends somewhere in the future. i'm not bitter here. just the way i see it. if you love flying that much enjoy the fact you have the job and can do what you love, dont complain about it so much.

 

[Bluto]

No offense Troy, but with your experience level you're hardly at a place to tell people not to complain. I'm glad you enjoy your messenger job, it sounds like fun.