1st year pay?
09-28-2011, 12:26 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: Seat 0B
Posts: 1,214
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.
09-28-2011, 01:14 PM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Position: AN124 FE
Posts: 1,226
Join the crowd, youre worries are shared by everyone. With that said, the nice thing about not making much money, if you make just a little extra...it really really helps out. I agree 110% with the people on hear talking about the value of home time. Maybe you should consider substitute teaching. You got 10 or 11 days off a month. Go home and sub. I do. I have most weekends off but when I'm off during the week I sub. 8-2pm and I make an extra $100 a day...do that 4 or 5 times a month and it starts to add up to pretty signifigant extra money. Its not the solution to all money worries but $500 extra a month when youre only makin ~$1500 and it helps alot. Of course there are some days I want to sit around without pants on all day on my couch.
09-29-2011, 03:56 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2011
Posts: 151
This is great REAL life information for those interested in entering this profession.
I think if you are single with no other financial obligations outside normal monthly living expenses then the entry level pay is doable. If you have a wife and no kids and the wife FULLY understands the commitment and FULLY supports your career desires then it is less so, but still possible. If your wife does not FULLY respect the sacrifices then you may be in a difficult position. Not to mention if kids are involved. If there are children and your wife does not work, there is no way you can make ends meet. Even living in base. Your wife would responsibly be willing to work and be a single parent four or five days a week. That very well may work for some, but not for many others.
What I have learned from others is that the airline business has ruined many healthy marriages while pilots chase those shinny new jets. I have also learned that it doesn't take long for the excitement of the job to wear off and the politics with the airlines culture to dominate how much you enjoy your work
I have been told by more than a few is that if you can get through the initial challenges of being a new hire, and some airlines being an FO, and you are with an airline that you enjoy the culture, you will love your job and have a very rewarding flying career.
Oh, and live in base, live in base, live in base. I hear that over and over again. On that note, living in base means you can drive to work. Whatever distance that is you are comfortable being. I figure for me that is 2 to 3 hours. Maybe.
Good luck to everyone.
I think if you are single with no other financial obligations outside normal monthly living expenses then the entry level pay is doable. If you have a wife and no kids and the wife FULLY understands the commitment and FULLY supports your career desires then it is less so, but still possible. If your wife does not FULLY respect the sacrifices then you may be in a difficult position. Not to mention if kids are involved. If there are children and your wife does not work, there is no way you can make ends meet. Even living in base. Your wife would responsibly be willing to work and be a single parent four or five days a week. That very well may work for some, but not for many others.
What I have learned from others is that the airline business has ruined many healthy marriages while pilots chase those shinny new jets. I have also learned that it doesn't take long for the excitement of the job to wear off and the politics with the airlines culture to dominate how much you enjoy your work
I have been told by more than a few is that if you can get through the initial challenges of being a new hire, and some airlines being an FO, and you are with an airline that you enjoy the culture, you will love your job and have a very rewarding flying career.
Oh, and live in base, live in base, live in base. I hear that over and over again. On that note, living in base means you can drive to work. Whatever distance that is you are comfortable being. I figure for me that is 2 to 3 hours. Maybe.
Good luck to everyone.
09-29-2011, 04:40 PM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: Seat 0B
Posts: 1,214
Thats me...I live 3 hours. I bought a crummy little airport car that gets 40mpg and driving to work is the best thing about my job. Makes life so easy. Maximizes time at home.
09-29-2011, 04:54 PM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Posts: 545
Yes, living in base is essential. The problem is what happens when you switch airlines and their junior base is 1,000 miles away. Or you are displaced out of your current base/home.
Bottom line, living in base is a short term luxury unless you are a senior Captain at a legacy. In that case you can expect not to be displaced to another base or switch airlines.
I know many Eagle FOs who were at the company 20+ years and living in base(DFW, ORD) have recently transfered to AA and now find themselves the junior pilot on a very large reserve list in New York.
Those lucky enough to get the 767/757 and fly international routes don't have it as bad. But the guys who got the S80 have just seen their QOL and pay take a very, very sharp nose dive.
Bottom line, living in base is a short term luxury unless you are a senior Captain at a legacy. In that case you can expect not to be displaced to another base or switch airlines.
I know many Eagle FOs who were at the company 20+ years and living in base(DFW, ORD) have recently transfered to AA and now find themselves the junior pilot on a very large reserve list in New York.
Those lucky enough to get the 767/757 and fly international routes don't have it as bad. But the guys who got the S80 have just seen their QOL and pay take a very, very sharp nose dive.
Last edited by embraer; 09-29-2011 at 05:16 PM.
09-29-2011, 05:12 PM
#46
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2011
Posts: 151
Yes, living at home is essential. The problem is what happens when you switch airlines and their junior base is 1,000 miles away. Or you are displaced out of your current base/home.
Bottom line, living in base is a short term luxury unless you are a senior Captain at a legacy. In that case you can expect not to be displaced to another base or switch airlines.
I know many Eagle FOs who were at the company 20+ years and living in base(DFW, ORD) have recently transfered to AA and now find themselves the junior pilot on a very large reserve list in New York.
Those lucky enough to get the 767/757 and fly international routes don't have it as bad. But the guys who got the S80 have just seen their QOL and pay take a very, very sharp nose dive.
Bottom line, living in base is a short term luxury unless you are a senior Captain at a legacy. In that case you can expect not to be displaced to another base or switch airlines.
I know many Eagle FOs who were at the company 20+ years and living in base(DFW, ORD) have recently transfered to AA and now find themselves the junior pilot on a very large reserve list in New York.
Those lucky enough to get the 767/757 and fly international routes don't have it as bad. But the guys who got the S80 have just seen their QOL and pay take a very, very sharp nose dive.
The advice I have been given by a retired major airline pilot I use to teach for? Buy a motor home. You will need that until you get to your legacy. I took that as more of point to be given but I probably think also he is giving some sound wisdom.
I think one needs to weigh their personal quality of life preferences and make decisions on things like potential lengths of temporary commutes.
I really do think that the if your career ambitions are 100% to get on with a major you should be willing to move a few times. One major pilot in the flying club said he moved eight times in 10 years between his regional and the legacy he works for now. He also said he commuted about two years during that time for various reasons. He now lives one hour from base.
09-29-2011, 05:21 PM
#47
On Reserve
Joined APC: Nov 2010
Position: Left SA227
Posts: 22
Thank you AirFix. That really helps a lot! I am really hoping for FAT.
09-29-2011, 06:50 PM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: blueJet
Posts: 4,536
This is great REAL life information for those interested in entering this profession.
I think if you are single with no other financial obligations outside normal monthly living expenses then the entry level pay is doable. If you have a wife and no kids and the wife FULLY understands the commitment and FULLY supports your career desires then it is less so, but still possible. If your wife does not FULLY respect the sacrifices then you may be in a difficult position. Not to mention if kids are involved. If there are children and your wife does not work, there is no way you can make ends meet. Even living in base. Your wife would responsibly be willing to work and be a single parent four or five days a week. That very well may work for some, but not for many others.
What I have learned from others is that the airline business has ruined many healthy marriages while pilots chase those shinny new jets. I have also learned that it doesn't take long for the excitement of the job to wear off and the politics with the airlines culture to dominate how much you enjoy your work
I have been told by more than a few is that if you can get through the initial challenges of being a new hire, and some airlines being an FO, and you are with an airline that you enjoy the culture, you will love your job and have a very rewarding flying career.
Oh, and live in base, live in base, live in base. I hear that over and over again. On that note, living in base means you can drive to work. Whatever distance that is you are comfortable being. I figure for me that is 2 to 3 hours. Maybe.
Good luck to everyone.
I think if you are single with no other financial obligations outside normal monthly living expenses then the entry level pay is doable. If you have a wife and no kids and the wife FULLY understands the commitment and FULLY supports your career desires then it is less so, but still possible. If your wife does not FULLY respect the sacrifices then you may be in a difficult position. Not to mention if kids are involved. If there are children and your wife does not work, there is no way you can make ends meet. Even living in base. Your wife would responsibly be willing to work and be a single parent four or five days a week. That very well may work for some, but not for many others.
What I have learned from others is that the airline business has ruined many healthy marriages while pilots chase those shinny new jets. I have also learned that it doesn't take long for the excitement of the job to wear off and the politics with the airlines culture to dominate how much you enjoy your work
I have been told by more than a few is that if you can get through the initial challenges of being a new hire, and some airlines being an FO, and you are with an airline that you enjoy the culture, you will love your job and have a very rewarding flying career.
Oh, and live in base, live in base, live in base. I hear that over and over again. On that note, living in base means you can drive to work. Whatever distance that is you are comfortable being. I figure for me that is 2 to 3 hours. Maybe.
Good luck to everyone.
09-29-2011, 07:00 PM
#49
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: A320
Posts: 1,316
$45K per year working your butt off for 5-8 years when you just paid 180K for college is not a lot. Maybe to someone that had their training paid for by grants or the military.
09-30-2011, 05:19 AM
#50
Roll’n Thunder
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Position: Pilot
Posts: 3,846
So if I made $10 per hour and now I make $15 per hour, my 40hrs X $15 ($600) per week is alot? Hmmmm...... Something doesn't add up here. Do you still get an allowance or something?
$45K per year working your butt off for 5-8 years when you just paid 180K for college is not a lot. Maybe to someone that had their training paid for by grants or the military.
$45K per year working your butt off for 5-8 years when you just paid 180K for college is not a lot. Maybe to someone that had their training paid for by grants or the military.
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