Pielut

Seriously? $200,000 a year and profit sharing and 10% into a 401k to fly a 737 and you want more?

Columbia

They'll just demand age 70 which is way better than a pay raise.

pilotrob23

And thats just the fo's

Pielut

Granted you are worth what you can negotiate but b***** about $200,000 + ? Good luck duplicating that kind of income anywhere else.

AviatorGP

Hey, I agree that LUV pilots make a descent pay rate; one I hope to make someday. But what pilots don't think about when they say that we are paid enough, or over-paid is what message that sends to management when it comes time for negotiations. If management get wind of these attitudes, it makes it hard for pilot groups to negotiate at the table when it comes time.

Think about these things;
1. When you do the math, we all know how much revenue a full airplane brings in and how much of that revenue goes into the pay rates of pilots. Our pay is FRACTIONS of that revenue !
2. A bird strike that kills both of your engines with your life, crew, and over 100 pax on board makes you think about how much we are worth.
3. Flights operate everyday with no problems, but when something little happens, it gets scrutinized by media, government, and our peers. We must operate in perfection, or we are at risk of losing our jobs.

I could go on and on, but just remember we have to continue to raise the bar, or management will gladly lower it for us.

Pielut

True, but the pilots flying the airplane did not generate any of that revenue(labor). The pilots did not market the company, make corporate travel deals, sell tickets, etc.

I 100% agree with you on your comment about scrutiny after an incident. Also you are 1 medical away from losing your job.

There are many factors, the point I was trying to make is that the wages at SW seem more than fair compared to industry or economy as a whole. I have no ill will towards SWA at all, a family member and a close friend just became SWA employees (airtran guys)

XHooker

Please tell me you guys are kidding.

dalad

You can't be serious!!! It should be 500K and 415c max into the 401k. Oh and 25% profit sharing.

Pielut

To fly domestic in a 73,good luck with that. I am sure you would like a pension that is financially solvent also. Livin in the past man.

There is line

Are you kidding me?!?!?
Ask ANY passenger and they will tell you that as far as MARKETING goes pilots are the number one selling point on any of their trips. Imagine for a second an airline which employes *blank* instead of Airline Pilots in the cockpit. Now fill in the blank with anything from *Wal Mart greeter* to *US Senator* and ask your passengers if they would be flying the same trip.
Think of Larry the cable guy or a used car salesperson or even your pot-smoking roommate in college standing in front of the cockpit door welcoming passengers aboard. Why do you suppose your FOM says that you must wear a clean and pressed uniform and that you always have to be well groomed? Mgt is not stupid, they know that's the cheapest and best MARKETING they can get. And it's not just the uniform but everything that goes with it.
Just a few years ago I saw an opinion poll on a paper (USA Today?) of the most respected professions in the US. We were in the top five along with doctors and firefighters, if memory serves me well.
I can't believe there are still some of us who embrace the testicular hammering philosophy, "we're paid too much! please lower my salary and charge me more taxes!". If you want to make less money there are plenty of jobs out there where you can achieve your dream just stay away from aviation, please.