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+--- Thread: How would you describe a pilots salary? (/thread-60575.html)
Pages: 1 2
How would you describe a pilots salary? - Alaska33 - 02-13-2013 02:48 AM
High, medium, low. Social status of a pilot...etc.
- zayneb - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
The AP just ran a story on this last week. Big airline pilots make more of course, the article said something like 250K. Smaller airline pilots make less, under 100K, and tend to fly a lot more.
- concerned neighbor - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
Do you mean a military pilot or commercial airline pilot?
Their pay is reasonable, but not high. You have to consider the amount of education they have, the hours they work and the time away from family, too.
- darvosix - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
6-figures-medium-
social status-the schizznit
- Ezz17 - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
Low, people dont realize that for what the cost and time it takes to become a pilot, if they do not go through the military figure most pilots are in big debt because of the training cost say around $40k, and now a days Airlines dont pay like they use to.
Right now a pilot for say a regional airline
A FO makes between $15-$25 a credit hour
A Captain makes anywhere from $30-$90 a credit hour
Now when you are flying for the big boys it will jump to around
a FO will make around $70-$130 a credit hour
a Captain will make around $150-$200 a credit hour
Now Freight Company like UPS and FedEx are the highest paying jobs for a pilot in business. Unless you are privately hired and making more but thats unlikely.
Now you think they are making a lot of money, but realize pilots dont work 160 hour months or 40hour weeks. But instead thier pay is determined by credit hour, which is the expected time that they are in command of the aircraft.
So a pilot is usually guarenteed 75 hours but they cannot fly over 120 hours in a month. But the differences are tremendous and think to become Captain of a large airliner takes a very long time.
So its a fairly good job when you make it to the big leagues which you can easily make over $100k but to get there most pilots arent making very good money at all. Plus there is no job security now a days and the pensions are anything like they used to be.
- bobbs b - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
Ezz 17 is completely correct.
I do however want to clarify a few things. When he says credit hour, he really means block hour which is from parking brake release on pushback to parking break set when arriving at the gate. Therefore when the crew goes down to the plane before you (passengers) board guess who is not being paid. Pilots have many checks to accomplish before the passengers board and also must load flight plans. So, while a pilot may only fly 90 hours a month, they work much longer. Please don't begin to think that pilots are as well compensated as they deserve to be. A pilot's salary is medium at best unless you are in the top 2% of all pilots. I know a lot of managers that make the same or more than avg. pilots and are home every night.
- On the right side - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
What KIND of pilot - it can be far poorer than people suspect.
$200 - $300K for the big guys down to about $20K for a time-building guy looking for a break - mostly anywhere in between.
BTW - most would agree the glamour is gone. Hard to keep the better jobs and more flying is required these days of the younger guys coming along.
Still nothing like it if you are an aviator though.
- calnickel - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
A pilot's salary is anything from non existent or dismal to middle to high depending on the pilot.
Many low time pilots whore themselves out for free flying skydivers, towing banners or gliders, or occupying a right seat.
The answerers above gave the details for the various airline positions.
A 'blue collar' pilot who has been at it for a few years and does some extra work for the company like me (air-taxi) makes a medium income but also has the advantage of being home every night and not having to deal with big company BS.
As far as social status goes, it is a myth that the movies create and the general public supports. Even the pilots with cushy jobs have horror stories and tribulations that could (and many times do) fill a book. Many pilots (especially airline pilots) secretly hate their jobs and are only there for the money and the perceived social status (ohh wow...you're an airline pilot).
I do it for the fun. I am getting paid to do my favorite hobby full time. I could have made a lot more money being a lawyer or a doctor, but then I would hate my job and be trying to spend the rest of my time and money flying.
- mr. cool - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
While If you really want to know... It is bassed on in flight hours.
Here is A Chart Describing Pay
http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/major-national-lcc/southwest.html
- walt554 - 02-13-2013 02:56 AM
Depends on which pilot your asking about.
Major Airline, feeder airline, helicopter, etc.