Originally Posted by johnso29

No offense to you, but I can't believe anybody would fly sick. If I can't pass the IMSAFE checklist, I don't fly.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot

Bingo.

I was able to coast for the last few years on the sale of a previous investment, but before I pi$$ it all away, I want to reinvest it. I agree, I make 5K a month net from this job sitting on reserve on the ER. (give or take) It is not enough to provide the quality education for my kids, nor can my wife be a stay at home Mommy, which is where she wants to be. We all have choices to make.

Reality is that those that are not paycheck to paycheck can hold out longer than those that are barely making it when the contract talks get ugly. I prefer to be in the position that I do not have to take what "may" be offered.

I too want this job to pay what it should. It would be nice to make a respectable living doing it. I know how I will vote, but I am one of 12K.

Having a small business is just plain smart. If you can run a bunch of expenses though the LLC and have it sustain you and your family, the money made here can be saved. With all of the extra flying we are doing in today's world, the long term effects on our health and the ability to maintain a class I medical have not been tested. The last thing I want is to lose my medical and not be able to provide for my family.

Originally Posted by Pineapple Guy

Andy really is good, isn't he?

Originally Posted by Carl Spackler

A stagnating FO at Southwest is averaging 145,000 per year and averaging 18 days off per month. Average! That's only about 40,000 per year less than I make and I'm at the top of the heap here at DAL.

The sad truth is that most DAL pilots won't ever get to the top wrung of the ladder, and as such, will make less money than a stagnating Southwest FO.

Carl

Originally Posted by freightguy

When I was a flight instructor, I worked two other jobs to supplement my income. When I did 135 freight, I freelanced on the side. When I flew at a regional, I ran a side business. I sacrificed a lot on the way to get this elusive 'major airline job', so I don't have to do $hit on the side anymore. However, now that I'm at DAL, I make $5000 a month after deductions/taxes...flying a widebody. Fkn pathetic. (70 rsv guarantee x $115 -25% taxes -other deduction (medical, dues etc).

I used to be proud to wear the DAL uniform and fly across the oceans in a widebody. But not anymore....I'm tired....my free time is spent running my business like many of you guys. $5000 a month does not make me proud nor pay my bills. I make more than DAL pay for way less responsibility and consequences. Don't get me wrong....I do the best job I can at Delta. But I have bills to pay and Delta is not my only calling anymore.

I have friends all over the world who are airlines pilots. Even pilots flying for some $hitty LCCs in Asia have a much higher living standard than us....especially looking at he cost of living and how much they make. (In most countries, pilots are paid at par with surgeons or even much much higher....PM me if you want proof). My airline pilot friends abroad are shocked to find out how much net salary I make, how much it costs to live and how much we are paid compared to other professional jobs. Hell, we make way less than SWA, Fedex, UPS etc in our own country. Many of them laugh at how much I take home.

This $hit got to stop. We should have more self respect in the upcoming contract. We should not have to work second jobs and businesses to provide for the family while working for the world's largest airline by passenger volume. We should not have to come in tired after working all day to flying airplanes across the continent/s for a net salary of $5000 / month for an FO or even twice for a CA seat. Not even close for 'One Great Airline'. We keep selling ourself short and senior management keeps it and shares among them nice million dollar bonunses. They will tell you and me all the reason why we they can't afford to pay us anymore while they all enjoy their multi-million salaries. Nobody should expect us to work second jobs/ side businesses to feed our families.

Doing a side business/ second job to satisfy ones luxurious habits or as a hobby is one thing. We should never be in a position where we have to do it to survive.

I really wanna see the opener ALPA comes up with. I will settle for nothing short of restoration of the loan I gave the company in 2000....neither should you. I (and you) saved the damn company and subsidized their poor management decisions for more than a decade. Enough! I hope we are ramping up our strike committee....
I am sure the management will threaten with furloughs etc when the negotiation time comes. Lets not fall for it. Let them furlough me. I wanna come back to a well paid decent job after a furlough than keep whoring away for $hit wages.

OK...I feel better now

Originally Posted by Hawaii50

I agree with you on the need for a side business or second income of some sort in this industry. I'm impressed with you guys who are smart enough to run a something that works for you. I'm not convinced I am but I'd like to give it a shot. 3 kids, with 2 in college doesn't leave much at the end of the month, even with prior planning. I'd be interested in hearing what has worked for guys, preferably something that doesn't eliminate what little free time we have left. Cheers.

Originally Posted by Pineapple Guy

Andy really is good, isn't he?

Originally Posted by scambo1

I have not found the biz yet in which you put out your hand and people fill it with money. It does take some effort. My most succesful so far were a car lot and a construction company. I'm mulling over the idea of getting into the bootleg concert t-shirt business though.

Originally Posted by buzzpat

Yep, we have one of his close friends and confidants out here at our church. Todd rocks as well.

Originally Posted by Pineapple Guy

Andy really is good, isn't he?

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

Btw, it's where i met my wife and where she now works. She took over 50% cut in pay to go there but we've loved every minute of it.