PilotBases

Where are people making 35k to fly an RJ? Apart from Mesa or GoJets...

Gone Flying

In addition to Mesa and go jet, commutair’s pay is very low (probably the worst in the industry). All 3 of these pay in that ball park of $35,000 for year 1. That’s 3 of UAXs 6 regionals right there

Air Wisconsin only pays more than that because of a non contractual bonus.

RAH and Skywest at least start over 40k based on reserve guarantee alone. But if I’m not mistaken both airlines have training pay which is lower than reserve guarantee.

flightlessbirds

AWACs bonus is contractual.

Oletimer

Pilot Pay is the rising tide that lifts all ships. If pilots are wanted/needed then simply offer enough financial incentive for perspective pilots to make the investment.

I know a few pilots who got into the game because they saw opportunity. Not simply because they loved aviation, but they loved the attraction of the lifestyle. Good pay and time off are part of the attraction. If major airlines buy jets without enough pilots to fly them then and only then will there actually be a pilot shortage.

I remember when pilot hiring departments sought out pilots who "loved flying." I've sat in plenty of interviews. I don't recall any interview whereby they asked a dental hygienist if he/she loved cleaning teeth. The point is employers have abused pilots because they used their love of flying against them in the employment process.

Take away: You are a business. Treat yourself like one. Your skills and judgement have value. if a pilot shortage is here or looming, so be it. That gives pilots more negotiating power. We know our profession has been beat up. Bring back the money, and bring back the magic.

KirillTheThrill

First year SkyWest FO’s prior to COVID were making closer to 60k a year, nobody flew minimum guarantee, it was 90+ hours of credit average a month. Majority of pilots wanted to upgrade and leave, so those 3rd year FO’s held a senior schedule pushing 80k. After 2 years you receive all performance and profit sharing bonuses, which made 3rd year Captain pay just over 100K (at least for me). So it really was a tough decision to upgrade as soon as possible for some. Is it worth it to give up your phenomenal schedule for an extra 20k and living life on CA reserve? It’s a risk reward play, as upgrade usually means faster career progression. Some wait to upgrade until they can hold a line.

For me, living close to domicile makes the months on reserve much less stressful. Also allows you to fly on off days to pick up more PIC time/$.

Texasbound

Breeze....

JurgenKlopp

Hey now what’s with the sarcasm!?! Their work is featured on Hannity frequently. Gold standard for many in this line of work…

BobbyLakes

From Wikipedia:

Project Veritas is an American far-right activist group founded by James O'Keefe in 2010. The group produces deceptively edited videos of its undercover operations, which use secret recordings in an effort to discredit mainstream media organizations and progressive groups. Project Veritas also uses entrapment to generate bad publicity for its targets, and has propagated disinformation and conspiracy theories in its videos and operations.

Gone Flying

I know, I was at OO prior to COVID. When talking salary for airline pilots, basing it off of hourly rate x min guarantee is how I come up with my base income. I had friends who went to the west coast and FOs I flew with once I upgraded who it took a year+ to get off reserve, and they rarely broke guarantee. When times are good it was easy to make more that 75-80 hours (heck pre COVID I could not get less than 90 hrs a month, every month) but that’s not guaranteed.

I remember doing the math and realizing I was giving up my single digit bid % as an FO to put up with crappy trips, possibly being on reserve, and everything else for about $1,100/ month more before taxes. It was a tough decision but it was a lot easier when I put it in the perspective you mentioned, I wanted to get out of there ASAP.

TransWorld

Sounds a lot like 60 minutes on the left.