Joeshmoe

I sit here baffled that guys like Capt Drew, Kill Bill and the like don't run the most successful airline in history since you guys seem to have ALL the answers. To say right now, before they are given a chance, that Virgin America will be a detriment rather than a benefit is narrow minded. Funny how SW, an LCC, has some of the highest salaries and employee satisfaction in the industry. I guess you guys still have a stick up your a** from the Lorenzo era. Maybe you guys can finally come out of your industrial age stupor and realize that internet bookings by "bus people" are the reason the airline industry is in shambles and you guys like to sit up late nights and rip everyone new ones who happen to stare at a yoke for a living.
If I remember correctly from my undergrad days Econ 101 BASIC theory states that new companies create new jobs. I guess Branson (one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs of the century) is an idiot, all these new fresh faces are just as dumb as undergrad Econ 101 students and are throwing good money after bad. Can't wait to hear what YOUR airlines' name will be since you have it all figured out.

Vito

FlyBoysWife,

"Bring the aviation industry to California??? Last I looked California dominates the Airline industry as far as manufacturiing, research, etc?? If you live in the San Fran area, trust me as soon as your hubby gets hired at Virgin, You'll have to move to Nebraska cause you won't be able to afford your high taxes!
I'll gladly make a wager with you, that Virgins pay scales will be poor.

SkyHigh

VA,

Virgin America will shock the industry with pay that is so low that it scares the likes of Allegiant and Mesa. We should consider ourselves lucky if they don't make their pilots pay for their own hotel rooms on the road. What is the minimum wage in California anyway?

SkyHigh

SkyHigh

R1830toIAE2500,

Very interesting post, however, I am no economist and don't understand those numbers. It just doesnt make any sense to me either from a down to earth stand point that so much waste and glut could make for a better system for the consumer. Our national business system is based upon free enterprise. Accidents are down since before regulation and consumers enjoy an abundance of variety and low fares. The fares as SWA are so low that Greyhound has been suffering as a result. Pay should also be based upon a free market economy. The only reason that I can see why pilots expect such high salaries is because of the fat paycheck tradition that the airlines have. Now that supply and demand is having an effect upon pilot pay it is relaxing to a more competitive level. The only reason that I can see for returning to regulation is to preserve the status quo. As a whole the concept is totally un-American. Perhaps the Russians should return to communism?

SkyHigh

Joeshmoe

Sorry Vito but California (SoCal to be exact) lost that label years ago. Unless its a govt missle contract it barely exists. There is a small place up north called Seattle that has taken over.

edik

i agree 100%

Speed

I think the "high salaries" are a misconception. Getting into the right seat of an airliner is a long process. After you've paid big bucks for the 4 year degree AND Commercial/Instrument/Multi-Engine/CFI you get to work for next to nothing another 4 years or so building enough time to get a look from a regional airline. Then it's 2 or more years there and maybe you get a look from a national or major. Then it's SO and FO for X? years until you hopefully make Captain--and more years until you hopefully move up to the largest equipment. That is assuming bankruptcy, merger or just hard times don't put you back at square one.

Don't forget that every job change puts you at the bottom of the seniority list and entry-level wages, regardless of experience.

I believe it's very rare for a pilot to get on with a major by age 30 and stay there until retirement. Most have to swap carriers at some point, so it appears to me that only a handful ever achieve the top wage.

Most career pilots were attracted not by the money but by a love for flying, and it's a good thing. Airline pilots live half their lives out of a suitcase. You fly all around the clock; pre-dawn, late night, all night, crossing time zones. In the course of a career you'll miss plenty of holidays, birthdays and soccer games. It takes a very understanding spouse to hang in there with you, many don't. And regardless of what's going on at home or how much sleep you've had or when you had a bite to eat, you'd better be on top of your game when it's time to shoot a wintertime minimums approach to MDW. I don't think most pilots expect to get rich from flying, but it's a demanding and sometimes unforgiving business. You devote your life to it and hope for at least a reasonable return on that investment.

1jetpilot

Right on, Speed, glad to hear someone knows how to put it all in perspective. I am still at the majors but might have to swap companies
due to lack of an effective CEO. Yes, I am 44 yrs old and is it easy to start at the bottom at 44? You got that right.....NOPE!

captain_drew

And THAT Is the abbreviated version! It is good to hear if from a line puke <G>

HERE is the classic version, of Why Airline Pilots Should make $200,000 (or more)

By Jack Fearneyhough, DAL 767 Captain(http://www.farm-boy-navy-pilot-airli...lotsSHOULD.doc)

It is too long to post here in one piece. I don’t believe it is Copyrighted as I have seen this posted on many AV web places, so use it as you will.

STILL GROUNDED

I had to laugh. We are all complaining about the pay for training BS adn here our faithful web host has this ad posted at the end of the topic. I am sure it was random and somebody has to pay for the site I get it but I just thought it was funny.

FastTrack Pilot Program
Guaranteed interviews for grads! Professional Pilot Degrees
www.midland.edu/aviation
Ads by Google - Advertise on this site