Blueskies21

I guess it all depends on whether you are willing to work extra, whether there's any overtime available, and the huge difference how much time you spend on reserve vs line holding. Line holders tend to make more, if only for the 300 hours of per diem. Reserve will depend on how much you fly, though going over guarentee is rare. I think 1200-1700 take home are believable numbers. Of course it matters how many you have on your insurance and what percent you contribute to your 401k.

Boomer

Not too bad. You're making as much on Pinnacle year 1 pay as I'm making at Comair on year 8 pay. Then again I'm still on reserve and there's no open time even if I wanted to fly on my 7 hard days off.

Airfix

At SkyWest on Bro 1st year pay on reserve not breaking gurantee and only doing a couple of overnights i'm taking home $1700 per month.

Holding an 80 hour line was about $2000 per month.

Both numbers quoted after tax, healthcare and 401k.

embraer

It should be noted that many pilots pick up OT as if their vehicle is about to be repossessed. That inflates many of these numbers.

Personally, the amount of time I spend away from my home, my family, my "things", my groceries, my car, my city, my friends, my own bed, etc.... is ENOUGH. I never look to pick up OT but enjoy every last second I get to be home.

We "work" 80 to 90 hours per week as it is, which averages out to a less than minimum wage salary. To completly eliminate any time at home just to make a few extra bucks to me would be an ultimate slap in the face.

With just standard flying here at Eagle, and not springing for those lines with 350+ hours TAFB I average $1500 per month. Best I did post IOE was $1900.

Blueskies21

This...... +1

labbats

In my humble opinion I don't think picking up OT on first year pay is helping too much. Why not just suck up the low pay for 10 months off IOE and then pick up OT on second year pay with the pay raise?

It's like it was mentioned above... your time is worth something. First year pay on OT just never offset the inconvenience for me.

willworktofly

The question is how much can you earn on 1st year pay. It is up to YOU. Its not a set number, it varies with time off, payrate, commuting, overtime, line holding, seniority in base. Balance or sacrifice, what works for some may not work for you.

slyguy

Thanks for all the replies so far. I am just worried if I take a regional job, my kids won't eat. I'm alright with eating Ramen Noodles, as long as my kids are taken care of. Sad state of the industry if one has to go through all the education, and the training, to eat Ramen noodles, and worry about a roof over their head on 1st year pay. Unfortunately, it won't change anytime soon.

embraer

Just so you are completely clear: After 1st year pay you will not be making much more. I want this to be completely clear to you so you can make the correct decision based on your lifestyle.

Unless you want to literrally live in hotels and never be home you can expect to struggle financially until you upgrade to Captain. 2nd year pay, 3rd year pay, and so on is very low for an FO.

Picking up all the OT you can on top of an already hectic line can earn you "ok" paychecks...but at what cost? Never being home, never seeing your family, friends, etc....

Any attempt at striking even the slightest work/life balance means LOW pay as a regional FO. Period. I am really trying to give you a realistic picture here, because in my opinion having guys with no attachment to their home who work 6 out of 7 days per week telling you they make X amount of money will set you up for dissapointment.

detpilot

It's about a 50% pay raise for us- that's hardly "not much more." Even though the pay is low, a 50% increase in income is a lot no matter what the level is.