So, how much did you make last year?

[daddysquared]

My curiosity is directed mainly towards FO's and Capts. with less than 5 years exp at a regional. I made $36,154 gross at my Computer Technician job and can make a quick $150,000 if I take a subcontracting position for a year in Iraq. Yes, that Iraq. I finish an associates in aviation this spring and just want to get a little idea from fellow pilots as to what the "lean" years are gonna be like if and when I finally arrive at your position and fly right seat for ya'll. Please list time at current airline, equipment and seat.

Much appreciated.

Rock On!!

 

[climbhappy]

DADDio in the patio,

in the regionals , the lean years have and always will be going on.
they're only getting leaner.

I suggest you get a hole to live in over in baghdad , a bullet proof vest, a rear view mirror, a pair of steel shank boots for land mine detection, and a T-shirt that says " Baath Party Sux".

 

[daddysquared]

Um.......thank you?

Seriously, anyone?

 

[Ligeirinho]

If you have a job as computer technician and is willing to move to iraq and can make up to 150k you don't wanna be a pilot.
Even on major airlines you are not going to be able to make as much as this in at least 10 years on regionals I think just 2 or 3 of them have this payscale by the end of your career that means 15 years or so in the company and being a check airman instructor and assistant chief pilot and several other things to accumulate a salary this big.
Pilot profession maybe in the past was about money now a days is all about passion and that's it.
If you passionate for a **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** suficient to die for it, like Romeo for Juliet but related to planes so you can take the job because money you gonna die and if you don't have a good isurance your grandkids you still paying your debits.

 

[73belair]

More to the point... First year is going to be around 17K-20K depending on airline and how much you fly. 2nd Year will be around 28K-33K again based on airline how much you fly. It doesn't go up much after the 2nd year until you upgrade. Capt upgrades probably range from 2-5 years at least right now for most regionals. Probably faster for CHQ and Skywest. Others (eagle) running MUCH longer. Capt pay is roughly double an FOs pay and after about 15 years you will maybe making about 100k.
But like the above post said. If you want to fly you wouldn't be worring about 150k from living in Iraq.

 

[Ghurka]

daddysquared,

I'm in Iraq. Have been for almost one year.
Just remember, you will earn every penny of that $150k, and some days you will think they are not paying you enough!

Be careful what you wish for.

I can't wait to get home and get back to fun flying.

 

[belchfire]

As a CA for the poorest paid 121 airline
I know of, I just broke $30K.

 

[chperplt]

3rd year Beech 1900 captain, worked only 11 months last year and my gross was $39,852

 

[de Pez]

It's difficult to put exact numbers on it due to changes in job, poistion (F.O. to Capt), and yearly raises in the middle of the year, however, here is a listing of my taxable earnings in aviation:

1996-1997 as a flight instructor: $9,985

1997-1998 F.O. at regional: $15,785

1998-1999 2nd year F.O. regionl: $24,301

1999-2000 Captain at regional: $36,992

2000-2001 Jet Captain regional: $53,116

2001-2002 New hire major (SO): $50,082

2002-2003 2nd yr S.O. major: $80,000+


I hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Peealot]

Money

3-4 Year FO CRJ Skywest--$48K. All line flying, averaging about 83 hours a month with 15 days off per month. Comfortable, but like everyone else, wish it were more.

A quick rule of thumb is to take the hourly rate multiply by a 1000 and then add 10000....that should give you a rough estimate of annual earnings. For me it is within a thousand bucks.

 

[daddysquared]

Thank you gentlemen.

I hope I don't anger anyone with this statement, but although a pilot's responsibilities are great, the living doesn't seem all that bad. Mind you, I live in one of the most expensive areas in the country (San Diego) and my meager 36K is just scraping by. However, with the pilots that so graciously submitted what they are making now, and/or have made in the past, believe me, it is much more promising than my current track. Sure I could go to Iraq and make a pile of cash, but I would have to be in Iraq, where the danger factor is much greater, it is only for one year, and my family couldn't go with me. It'll be hard enough the first couple years at an airline (which no matter what, is my ultimate goal). I hear and read a lot about poor pilot wages. Certainly I agree that they should be higher, but if you think Pilots are taken advantage of, check out my Technical counterparts. They too plop down some decent cash for certifications and so forth (some to the tune of $30K) and the increase in pay really doesn't keep up with that of a pilot. Increases are to the tune of 3% a year if you are a stellar employee, and there ain't no left seat or chance of going to a "major" tech company.

Again,

Thanks

PS, Hey Ghurka, be careful over there. If you are there in the Military, THANK YOU. YOU GUYS ROCK!!! I wish you could all come home soon. (D A M N that Saddam Insane.)

 

[de Pez]

One important thing that really hasn't been discussed is time away from home. (I'm assuming you have children, or at least "a life" based on your screen name. For some companies, 10 or 12 days off is all you'll get. At first glance that may seem like a lot, but you have to imagine going out on 3 or 4 day trips and then rolling back in to sleep, do laundry, pay bills and have family time before going right back out 2 or 3 days later. It's not a typical 8 or 9 hour office work day. Mostly, you go out for 60 or 80 straight hours without seeing your family. You have birthdays over the telephone, and often miss Christmas and New Year's..all the holidays sometimes. The pay can be an incentive, however your question was about going away for a year, or staying here and flying..Over a 20 year "airline" career I'd estimate that you'll be gone on trips for at least 7 or 8 of those years. Just one more thing to consider. It's not all about the money..In fact, it's not much about the money at all...