Starting salaries for MBAs at Airlines

[shon7]

Trying to get information on what is the range of starting salaries for MBAs (from a top 10 school) at airlines broken down by Majors, LCCs, Regionals. Any airlines sponsoring further studies/ giving tuition benefits to employees?

 

[Sir Humpalot]

Although i have no idea what starting aviation salaries are for mba's from the top schools, i can guarantee that mba's from the top school do not go into aviation. Most go to Goldman Sachs, or other top economic/ financial think tanks. When i graduated from Stanford with an mba, i was given multiple offers from many top dot-com companies and other financial international investment bankers ranging from a starting salary of $80k to $100k+. The closest an aviation came was United offering me in the mid $60s but i didnt feel that there was room for much growth and potential.

My reply to you is that graduates from top schools go onto other "careers" that do not involve aviation. While i was an instructor scrounging around for money, i had colleagues who were making $200k+ with stock options and bonuses. On top of that, they were travelling positive space business class. I do not have any friends or colleagues from other university mba programs who are in aviation, either it be the majors, LCC, or regionals.

hope that helps a little bit.

 

[pilotyip]

Endangered Species

As stated in ATW, airline management is an endangered species, the top players in the management world are staying away from airline management. Too much work for a slim chance of return. They are going to the finance, medical, etc where the money is, I would assume top 10 MBA grads are doing the same thing.

 

[AA717driver]

As stated in ATW, airline management is an endangered species, the top players in the management world are staying away from airline management. Too much work for a slim chance of return. They are going to the finance, medical, etc where the money is, I would assume top 10 MBA grads are doing the same thing.

Yip is right. That's why this whole 'carpetbagger' management system is flawed. There is absolutely no loyalty to the company on the part of the senior management. They are only out for themselves.

Airlines are going to have to start intern programs where they bring people along and pay for their education and hope they will develop a deeper understanding of the company and the loyalty that comes with that longevity.

Maybe I'm dreaming.TC

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

When I finished my Master's in 2002 the range was probably 65-90k and it wasn't a Top 10 school. Most move on to jobs making 100k plus within a couple years or so. I chose aviation! Huh???? Most of the positions are in finance, marketing or operations.

Anyway, although it sounds glamorous to make that money, keep in mind the hours can be mind-boggling. 8am-1am is pretty common when away on business. I didn't want to be married to my job so I didn't bother. The people I know who make the most money and are the happiest work for themselves.

Mr. I.

 

[satpak77]

Anyway, although it sounds glamorous to make that money, keep in mind the hours can be mind-boggling. 8am-1am is pretty common when away on business. I didn't want to be married to my job so I didn't bother.

try being "on the pager" 25 days a month, and your D.O. or C.P. tells you he needs you within 30 minutes of the airplane this month. Then you get a trip on Day 23 which takes you at 2 AM from KELP to KYIP for some auto parts. Terminate in KYIP and hit the Super 8 till "further advised" while the company tries to find some more trips.

3 days at Super 8 and Denny's Grand Slams every morning, and you get a trip KYIP to KLRD. Few more days in KLRD and you return home.

"hey, take the weekend off kid" says the CP

no sh1t, thanks

repeat the above many, many times, including Christmas. All for $25,000 a year.

married to the MBA job? Part 135 ops will make the MBA job look like dating

 

[CF34-3B1]

Yip is right. That's why this whole 'carpetbagger' management system is flawed. There is absolutely no loyalty to the company on the part of the senior management. They are only out for themselves.

Bingo.

The only airline managers who aren't, are the ones who were around from day 1.

Herb and Co at SWA, D.N. at jB etc.

Hey wait, those are the airlines making a profit. I've found a deep and meaningful connection. Wow, and I'm not even an MBA. (But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night)

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

satpak77,

I'm not knocking you personally but I've seen both worlds and a middle-level consultant works FAR MORE hours than a pilot. And some, although only some, are away just as much. Do you not think the people I describe don't have their cell phones on 24/7? They do! My girlfriend is one of them. I don't want that world. There are issues they don't have to deal with that pilots do, but don't kid yourself, the world I describe isn't "dating". You talk about half hour call-out, they have seconds to respond to a question over the phone. And are at the office where someone can ask in person for most of that time.

Yes, they get perks that are fantastic but don't think they enjoy them every week. More like once every other month or so. But hey, they choose that job, just like we choose ours! Again, don't take it personally.

Mr. I.

 

[aspire]

I will seconded Mr. Humpalot's opinion. As a ivy league grad. whose wife also happens to work for Goldman I can honestly say that those who grad. from top schools stay away from aviation. The most desirable jobs are in ibanking and business consulting i.e Goldman Sachs, Bain, Boston Consulting, etc...There are always those that go to work for a start up and a few who go on to work for a non-profit, truly admirable work. Airlines historically pay low compared to the private sector and after a lifetime of academic hard work and $120,000+ in tuition who wants to start at a job making only $45,000-50,000 when the others pay so much more. Most aviation management jobs are filled internally by those that rose from the ranks of rampers and ticket agents, etc. whose academic backgrounds usually include a degree from a pubic institution. Just look at the management's bios at your respective airlines. Anecdotally, I had a friend graduate from B.C., not a top ten, but still a very competitive school and with his degree in accounting he was given offers from all the Big Three accounting firms. Out of curiosity he applied at Delta. Delta offered him $20,000 less and but tried to recruit him with the allure, eh-em, of stand-by world travel. Guess where he went...