Slice

How long you been at this, 3 years? You've got a long road ahead bro...

ebuhoner

I WISH I could be in your shoes at XJET... I know the system sucks, and I know a lot of people (the ones who work at a cubicle) who move from one company to the other and start off making a lot the first year... they might look really happy today, but it will not last forever....everything is just cycles... Ups and Downs... sometimes you will be really good, sometimes you wont... dont get too obsessed with the money...it is not everything. Don't get me wrong, money is good, we all need it, and if we have a lot, then great! but remember, the more you have, the more you will spend, and every day you will want more and more.. and depression and misery will own you every time you face the lower phases of the cycles... The "rich" pilots is just a small elite, and they were not always rich. This is not a job to make good money, this is a job where you are supposed to enjoy what you do in exchange of less security/pay. Dont like it? leave your spot to somebody else prepared to do it.

The pay is "crappy" because there are just too many pilots in this country, and that's because we were lucky enough to live in here (USA) and pay for the training by one way or the other. Many other countries are in total poverty and the people who want to fly planes simply can't. So the only way Airlines from these countries can get pilots is by offering a better pay.

That's just the way it is, and we cannot change it. No matter how much we try. As long as there are too many pilots around, there is no need for them to raise the pay. There is no such thing as "Shortage" of pilots in this country, not even a few months ago when all regionals were hiring like crazy. When they start paying 50k 1st year FO, THEN there should be a shortage around.

.02

FliFast

3 years ?

I've been furloughed longer than that.

It really is what you make of it.

The glamour is gone. The big paychecks, job security, and generous retirements are like Willy Wonka Golden Tickets.

But I still enjoy it, I try to make the trips and layovers better.

Anyone have a blender....I see margaritas in my future.

Live slow..Fli Fast

ps. Slice, Crack kills !!

flyers29

And in return they have to deal with the complicated licensing process, in which airlines will often then want them to go through a complex "cadet" program that can cost about twice what it costs to get ratings in the US--the same country where it doesn't matter where you can get hired regardless if you got your hours in the military or at Billy Bob's Flying School. Not to mention that the airline structure in many European countries is generally a large national carrier with a handful of smaller low-fare or regional carriers (the UK is probably the exception, as they have many charter carriers as well). It's a lot easier for your airline to stay afloat when the governments are propping up the national carriers. Of course, this isn't always failsafe--just ask the people who used to work for SABENA or Swissair.

JoeyMeatballs

Good lord, these types of comments drive me crazy, thats like those that are unhappy with the state of our country and then you hear, "go move to Europe if you don't like it here". I LOVE being an airline pilot, but at what cost?????????? We should all be doing everything we can to turn this industry around. It seems like what? a 6 month upswing followed by years of economic disaster in the airlines? It is not the employees fault, however we are the ones who pay for it.

"If you don't like it quit" <-------- Thats a silly comment and does not address the issues that WE ALL FACE day to day. Look at these posts we are being compared to non-college educated plumbers! (of course they probably make more then the average airline guy)

JoeyMeatballs

Thats my point, all the heartache and BS, that has to have made a pretty big impact on your life? You seem to be in a great spot at UPS, but lets face it, not everyone will be as fortunate.

Again I am not saying I deserve the right seat of a 75 over at CAL becuase I have been doing this for 3years, but an 1st year airline pilot should be making over 50,000.00 a year, especially at the major airline level.

1st year pay is crime, the airline has to to train you, so they hack your pay for the first year????????????? ITS THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS , but like ticket prices its never passed on to the consumer, the employee ends up getting raped.

I am looking forward to seeing what CAL pilots do with 1st year pay & health insurance, I hope it changes because its disgraceful as it stands......

ghilis101

emirates and etihad are hiring. youll feel like a professional pilot there and make decent money.

JoeyMeatballs

Yeah, I flew with a guy last month who is on his way to Emirates. I dunno I don't think I could ever do that, As depressing as this industry has gotten here in the 'ol USA, home is home

DeadHead

Bottom line if you don't feel first year pay is acceptable, then don't apply/accept the job. I agree with you first year pay at the majors should be at least 50K, but as long as there is a willingness to work for sub-par wages, management will win hand over fist every time. It is business, but every pilot has the option to only accept a job at a rate they feel is acceptable. The problem is we, as pilots, are so eager to get that "dream job" that a majority of us are willing to sacrifice.

Rascal

You are part of the problem. Looks like you aren't even at regionals yet and you already seem to know you would love the job.