Why do you do what you do

[Ron Mexico]

That has a lot of do's in there huh?

I am a new guy and I want to ask...

Why should someone with flight hours even strive to be a "professional pilot" at a regional or any airline for that matter?

 

[DrewBlows]

Because it beats working for a living.

 

[Cathawk417]

Ditto!!!!

 

[Flechas]

The worst day here is better than the best day at a 9-5 desk job!

 

[illeagle]

I'm still trying to believe that.. Money must be able to give some hapiness??? Flying is a sure way to not make much money. My wife looks at me with pity, knowing the payoff must come some day. When???????????????? how much $ does it take to have what you need and do What you need?

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

I'm still trying to believe that.. Money must be able to give some hapiness??? Flying is a sure way to not make much money. My wife looks at me with pity, knowing the payoff must come some day. When???????????????? how much $ does it take to have what you need and do What you need?

I can't speak from first hand experience, but from all I know, the money comes. It just takes time. But, I'd rather make $30K for a few years as a regional FO than make $50K+ working behind some desk all day. Becoming a pilot actually reminds me alot of becoming a doctor. You spend alot of money on schooling only to make next to nothing as an intern, etc. for several years, But eventually it pays off. Same with becoming a pilot. Much money is spent on the training and gaining flight experience, then its a few years of little money. But, eventually it will pay off.

 

[mamba20]

There is something about the career. Number one thing for me is the view. I know that sounds lame and this probably sounds even worse but I see things on a daily basis that so few people ever have the chance to see. Also, it can be a killer rush.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Why do you do what you do

Am I the only person that had to read that title at an incredibly slow pace to understand it?

 

[Brett Hull]

Because it beats working for a living.

Ditto!!!!

When all of you guys look at your, ahem, "paychecks", this is why they are so low.

I hate to be the one to break it to you guys, but you are working for a living. It's a shame you don't think you need to be compensated well for it.

 

[mamba20]

Brett Hull, you make a very good point and your right. But look at the board your posting on. Its the regional board. Regional pay has, does and will always suck. We are not here to get rich. We are here to get experience and move on. Should the pay be more? Of course it should but its not gonna happen, never has and never will. Your also right that yes we do work for a living, harder then some and not as hard as others.

For all the complaining we do I think most of us, me included forget how lucky we are to be flying for a living. Things will get better! There are thousands of job hungry pilots who would kill to be where any of us are.

 

[Rudder120]

I know I don't make much money"2nd yr rj fo), but I sure don't have to go to work much either. I'm one of the more senior fo's at our airline and I don't work more than approx 12 days per month. I hold regularly 14+ days off and am able to drop/trade to 16 or 18, and still make it commutable. I sometimes get down to <70 hrs pay but, I can make that up while I'm at home if I so choose. Trust me QOL is why I do it!

 

[Kream926]

Am I the only person that had to read that title at an incredibly slow pace to understand it?

i finally understand it now

hoooooooooraaaaaaaaay litteracy

 

[Nindiri]

Sure, I'd always like to make more money, but not if I have to work for it. This job isn't work most of the time, it's fun. I fly small planes for a hobby on off days. Most jobs, people look forward to getting away from it on off days, not that they have many compared to us.

 

[Flechas]

When all of you guys look at your, ahem, "paychecks", this is why they are so low.

I hate to be the one to break it to you guys, but you are working for a living. It's a shame you don't think you need to be compensated well for it.

We don't think that. Of course we think we should be making more, but supply and themand doesn't let us make more.

 

[RoyalAviation2]

I'm holding out on getting married because of the very reason of not making enough $$$$. It breaks up more marriages than ever before. Why not wait until your financially secure?

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

hoooooooooraaaaaaaaay litteracy

And irony, too! Heheh.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I'm holding out on getting married because of the very reason of not making enough $$$$. It breaks up more marriages than ever before. Why not wait until your financially secure?

So long as you never consider yourself financially secure, you are safe. You want financial security? Marriage is the wrong contract in which to enter.

 

[Flechas]

I'm holding out on getting married because of the very reason of not making enough $$$$. It breaks up more marriages than ever before. Why not wait until your financially secure?

Maybe you are being saved from a bad marriage...

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Maybe you are being saved from a bad marriage...

"Bad marriage". Kinda redundant, wouldn't you say?

 

[Flechas]

"Bad marriage". Kinda redundant, wouldn't you say?

It's one of those things where you gotta make sure you get the idea across the table!!

 

[Ron Mexico]

Am I the only person that had to read that title at an incredibly slow pace to understand it?

\


Watch it buddy I may have slept with your girlfriend!!!!!

 

[Ron Mexico]

i finally understand it now

hoooooooooraaaaaaaaay litteracy

I think I did sleep with your girlfriend!!!!

 

[Stifler's Mom]

\


Watch it buddy I may have slept with your girlfriend!!!!!

I can't wait for Football season to see how many people give Vick a hard time.

 

[Kream926]

I think I did sleep with your girlfriend!!!!

you owe me money

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

First year regional pay is not very good, obviously. But second year pay usually increases fairly well. Within a year, at most regionals, you can be making $30K+ (not that it is a ton of money, but livable). When you think about it, pilots are not alone. Most entry level jobs, right out of college don't pay much over $30K. Of course this does depend on your field, but this applies to most. As a regional FO, consider it your entry level job. Pay is not great first year, but second year it is definately livable. With each year you get a pay raise, regardless of how small. Not many people can say that about their job. And, usually within a few years or so you can make captain. Captain pay is more than liveable, even with the regionals (most of them). You can be making close to $50K+ your first year and it goes up each year thereafter. Do this for several years and then its on to the majors. This is when you know it has all paid off. You can then look forward to your eventual six figure salary.

It is easy to come into a regional forum and discuss low pay. Truth be told, pilot pay is one of the highest paying jobs in the nation. I've seen this stated in a number of places, including the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" put out by the government every year or two. It just takes time, like with any job, to work your way up. You cannot expect a six figure salary your first day. Doctors don't even make close to six figures their first years. In fact, most don't make much more than a first or second year regional FO.

You just have to enjoy what you do, as it sounds most of you do. Regional pilots are probably underpaid, but realize you are not alone. It is no different, as I mentioned before, to most first year entry level jobs. Regionals realize that most of those coming in as FO's are young, often in early/mid 20's and this is their first piloting job, other than maybe instructing. I'll say it again, but I know of noone coming out of college, etc., going into a job paying much more than a regional pilots first few years pay. The pay will come, just be patient.

 

[Ron Mexico]

you owe me money

you want it in dimes or nickels...lol

just playin'

 

[Ron Mexico]

First year regional pay is not very good, obviously. But second year pay usually increases fairly well. Within a year, at most regionals, you can be making $30K+ (not that it is a ton of money, but livable). When you think about it, pilots are not alone. Most entry level jobs, right out of college don't pay much over $30K. Of course this does depend on your field, but this applies to most. As a regional FO, consider it your entry level job. Pay is not great first year, but second year it is definately livable. With each year you get a pay raise, regardless of how small. Not many people can say that about their job. And, usually within a few years or so you can make captain. Captain pay is more than liveable, even with the regionals (most of them). You can be making close to $50K+ your first year and it goes up each year thereafter. Do this for several years and then its on to the majors. This is when you know it has all paid off. You can then look forward to your eventual six figure salary.

It is easy to come into a regional forum and discuss low pay. Truth be told, pilot pay is one of the highest paying jobs in the nation. I've seen this stated in a number of places, including the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" put out by the government every year or two. It just takes time, like with any job, to work your way up. You cannot expect a six figure salary your first day. Doctors don't even make close to six figures their first years. In fact, most don't make much more than a first or second year regional FO.

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Okay kid...prepare to get slammed on this idealist view of the world!!! The responsibility thing ( passenger etc) getting paid only when the door is shut (if xjt your guess is as good as their's) and of course the company sometimes likes to screw with ya!!! The problem is 2 year fo makes (hourly x Guarantee which ranges 70-80 hours) jack sht compared to most professional jobs requiring experience(hours of flight, training equals a degree in a lot of cases)!!! Aviation is the hardest field to break into while being the most unstable, just ask the employees at United, USAir or even Continental who just took a major pay cut!!! For most the "flying big iron" dream is no longer a reality. I love your view of the Airline industry and positive views but it is not really realistic in todays current market. For some the "Regional airline" (althought they fly to Canada and Mexico) is going to be a career not the "big airlines"!!!! In my opinion those days of the Regional Just a stepping stone to the majors is over!!!


These are just my thoughts right or wrong!!!!

 

[Geronimo4497]

We get paid to fly airplanes??? Dang, I gotta call HR.

 

[DirkkDiggler]

If you include per diem in your total income for the year, it's quite possible to make $45,000 second year at AWAC. That's really not too shabby as a second year F/O. I don't know about the other airlines out there, but I can't complain about paying my dues earning this much after a year.

 

[crashpad]

Am I the only person that had to read that title at an incredibly slow pace to understand it?

That's twice in two weeks you made me spit out my drink while reading!!!