Deserthusker

I would say working on the 8/6 schedule you would make more than what you are estimating for fdp because you would be flying more days. I agree that first couple years flex would make more but past that I am not sure if you could still say that.
How does pay increase over the next five years? What would someone make 5 years from now if they were hired at flex and upgraded at year 2? What is the top pay for a flex pilot?
Question on your medical also, is $33 a check for your family or just you?

swabjh

Here’s an actual data point. I am a year 1 FO on the XLS at NJ (which many argue is one of the worst fleets for FDP). I am on an 8/6 and do take extended days here and there. I am on track to make $204,000 this year. This takes into account my salary, FDP, OT, holiday pay, extended day pay, night pay, etc. This does not include company match to my 401K.

rickair7777

I'm confused.

Legacy airlines do a 17% ( going to 18%) DC to your 401k.

No match, you don't have to do anything, they just dump it in.

Deserthusker

Whats confusing is when people feel the need to continually point out that the airlines have a better retirement…we know. Not everyone wants, needs or can go to a major. But thanks for your input.

flyitfast

I never told you to use NJ bonus money but not flex bonus money, so that is a lie. But you are using 100% bonus pay out at flex and very few, if any, pilots at flex are getting 100% of the bonus. Meanwhile, you only use base pay for NJ. Maybe a better comparison would be actual number of days worked and W2 comparisons from real pilots at year 1, year 5, year 10, year 15, year 20 and year 25.

Deserthusker

I have offered to compare wages in higher years and I am still waiting for him to reply.

CFITlikely

People point it out because not everyone truly understands the difference (not saying this is you). I've flown with pilots at Flex that legitimately believe they have the best pay and benefits in the industry because management constantly tells them that. Money isn't everything and I understand people will choose to stay in the Fractional world for a variety of reasons and there's nothing wrong with that. But they should know what they're missing out on financially (and QOL wise)

Flex's retirement is miles behind everyone else and you still have pilots on here defending it as "not that bad". Well if a difference of millions of dollars over the course of a career is "not that bad" I'd like to see your definition of bad. Oh but don't forget about that parking allotment!

Deserthusker

Couple things. I think if you haven’t researched all options regarding pay and retirement then you get what you deserve. I think the lumping of pay=qol is the big problem. Personally I am married to a successful person and that equates to the loss of some pay/retirement versus the known schedule and ability to plan much farther ahead than an airline equals a better quality of life…for me. I have flown with many that are in the same boat.

I am at NJ and am just trying to clarify with people that may be seeking the fractional career that just because flex first year or two pay is better that doesn’t mean it would be a better choice for a career. If it is just a stepping stone then maybe. I guess if paid parking is the deal breaker then do what you have to do. 😂

followingdreams

I included 30% FDP in NJ and I included the 10% in Flex, also offered to use the new payscale for NJ and add 30% for FDP we come up to $136,000 1st year for NJ, $165,000 first year for Flex. Im way more transparent then any of you that just complain about my math without offering any of your own math. I know, your next comment will be "what about overtime, what about getting home late what about....." stop already! I also did not include the $18,000 bonus Flex pays in those figures or the per diem they keep or the parking allowence. If you prefer NJ pay package, wonderful! Just dont sit here and picket saying how poorly you are paid, while also saying you clearly are the highest paid.

For those of you looking for jobs, just read thru both Forums, which pilots are bitter and angry at their company, and which support it. Whichever you prefer to work for, I hope you find yourself working there, they are both great companies

Aerospeed

THIS RIGHT HERE, 100%. Exactly why I chose Flex