Important Article On Pay And Fatigue

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06-10-2009, 12:50 PM

#21

bryris

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: May 2008

Position: Hotel

Posts: 714

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrikeTime

Correct, it has been low for many years and it has kept getting lower. But it doesn't have to stay that way. Five years ago the threat of bankruptcy by management was a tactic used to sustainably lower wages and increase profit margins for there big bonus checks as well as the shareholders, with no language written in there to one day restore what once used to be part of the career.

First year FO pay has not been getting lower. Its been abysmal for a long time. More senior pay has been decreasing, THAT is where the concessions have come.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrikeTime

Now to specifically address what you wrote, how is one supposed to plan ahead when these concessions were decided upon by certain individuals in a union? One might have financially planned him or herself to survive paycheck to paycheck on the current wage, but then the concessions came in. And it looks like more may be coming with the attitude of certain individuals in this industry.

Again, the concessions have hit the higher ups in terms of reduced pensions and other cuts. The first rungers haven't really seen a decrease. Perhaps the lack of COLAs over the years may have dropped the value of the wage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrikeTime

On a personal note, I just had a friend downgraded within the last year. 2nd year Captain back in the right seat. How was he supposed to financially plan himself? He went from $70,000, to $35,000. Show me an industry where a cut that drastic can occur. Someone mentioned in another thread that FO's should be paid 75% of a captain's salary. I think that is a very fair number.

I cannot differ with you there. That hurts bad. However, hopefully more pilots going forth will not radically increase their lifestyle upon upgrade but rather keep a larger reserve going. Flying is unlike most other jobs. You cannot live at (or even near your means) because the chance of a change in your income is great. Bank the extra money and feel good doing it, because likely there will be a cessation of income in the future. If you graphed it, you'd find the average income of a pilot falls below the peaks and above the lulls. Planning accordingly goes a long way.

06-10-2009, 01:12 PM

#22

StrikeTime

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Jun 2009

Position: http://rahcontractnow.org/

Posts: 206

Quote:

First year FO pay has not been getting lower. Its been abysmal for a long time. More senior pay has been decreasing, THAT is where the concessions have come.

You are correct, it has always been very low, but regardless of that fact we must put an end to this practice.

Mr. Babitt testified in Congress today, and here is a short statement I copied from his testimony:

Quote:

Pilots also have a regulatory responsibility to not fly when they are not fit, including being fatigued. Thus, while the carrier schedules and manages pilots within these limitations and requirements, the pilot has the responsibility to rest during the periods provided by the regulations. The FAA has long held that it is the responsibility of both the operator and the flight crewmember to prevent fatigue, not only by following the regulations, but also by acting intelligently and conscientiously while serving the traveling public. This means taking into consideration weather conditions, air traffic, health of each flight crewmember, or any other circumstances (personal problems, etc.) that might affect the flight crewmember’s alertness or judgment on a particular flight.

Mr. Babitt stated it.. the pilot has a responsibility to rest. So pilots are not supposed to be working but rather resting. With first year wages (and all FO wages for that matter) being so low, how can one sustain a living without a second job? You would have to either become a 'subsidized pilot' or not adhere to an FAA interpretation of what your supposed to do on your day's off.