Regional hiring minimums compared

[duck_killer]

good post ASA aviator. Not to mention we get per diem of +/- $36 a day and travel bennies all over the world.

 

[CLR2LAN]

working an office job for a large govt contractor isn't all its cracked up to be. Alot of hours worked on a fixed price contract go unpaid to the employee, whether you work 40 or 60 hours, your pay is the same. Alot of the guys are going back to NW for recall......that should say something.

 

[The_Russian]

I think that calculator is way off. To be sure, you are on duty more hours as an airline pilot, but not 255 hrs worth. I normally hold around 14 days off. I rarely have ALL 12 hr days, but let's assume I do. Even that is only 192 hours at work. I have at least one or two 4 hour days a month. This month I've got a 32 hour overnight, so that is yet another day that isn't 12 hours, and the return trip is only one leg, worth only 3 hours or so of duty time...

Sure, you make less per hour (respectively) if you compare a full time 9-5 job, but as someone who had a career as a 9-5 manager, being an airline pilot is MUCH better. It's way less stress, way more flexible schedules, and eventually I will make decent money. Even if I stay at ASA, $80,000 per year is a very decent salary (avg salary for the State of Georgia $49,650). It won't be big bucks, but I can earn a nice living on that, plus my wife's income. If I go to a major, and earn over $100,000, then that is just that much better.

I think a lot of people that complain about this job, have never been in the "real world" cooped up in a cubicle, hearing petty office politics, and deciding who gets the last piece of birthday cake when your boss turns 40.

Where else can I (eventually) bid for 16 - 17 days off, make over the national median in salary, and live anywhere I want? This is a very unique industry, and it really bothers me when people complain, not knowing what it is that they have.

Sorry bud. I have to disagree. We are getting screwed on pay and TAFB. When I am on an overnight or a layover, I am at work. Its not just duty time that counts. The current level of liability, responsibility, and knowledge required are not supported by the salaries offered. The level of safety is decreasing in more ways than one and the QOL is getting worse. My friends that work 9-5 may have a boring job, but they have a life. Airline work is my job, but I would like the pay and time to enjoy my days off and maybe fly for fun one day. Hmmmm.....maybe gliders!