CFI Pay Goes Up To $2000 A Month...

[v1valarob]

In case you didnt get the memo:

Flight Instructor Pay

• Airline Career Pilot Program Graduates:
  • $2,000 per Month Guarantee*
• Other CFIs:
  • $1,200 per Month Guarantee
  • FREE Regional Jet Standards Certification Program ($5,995 Value)
• All Instructors:
  • Approximately $400 per Month in Performance Bonuses
  • $500 Starting Bonus
  • FREE Housing in Jacksonville for Standardization
  • Housing Available at Training Centers for $300 per Month (Furnished, No Lease)

*Please note that this pay schedule becomes effective January 1, 2008 for Airline Career Pilot Program Graduates, and the $1,600 monthly guarantee remains in effect until that time.

-Rob

[aloft]

Well this explains the recent cost hike...they're just collecting money they're going to "pay" you later--which, in addition to whatever interest rate your'e paying on that money, you'll get to pay 15% Social Security taxes on since all ATP's instructors are "independent contractors".

[DE727UPS]

Yeah, that independet contractor thing at ATP wouldn't stand the test of the IRS. I'm surprised nobody has pushed THAT button yet.

ATP will pay you 2K/mo to answer phones in da pit. There is no reason you should make less than that from da pit onward, considering da pit to be the lowest point in your professional pilot career progression.

[Fly_Unity]

hmm, ATP may just get me yet... if they keep at it...
100% increase since march

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

Yeah, that independet contractor thing at ATP wouldn't stand the test of the IRS. I'm surprised nobody has pushed THAT button yet.

ATP will pay you 2K/mo to answer phones in da pit. There is no reason you should make less than that from da pit onward, considering da pit to be the lowest point in your professional pilot career progression.

Can someone explain more about the tax situation? Do you owe more because your a "contractor?"

-Rob

[aloft]

As a contractor, you pay your share of Social Security--7.65%--AND what's normally the employer's share--also 7.65%--as "self-employment tax", for a total of 15.3%. Plus Medicare and your normal income tax.

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by aloft

As a contractor, you pay your share of Social Security--7.65%--AND what's normally the employer's share--also 7.65%--as "self-employment tax", for a total of 15.3%. Plus Medicare and your normal income tax.

Does it come straight out like a regular job, or do you have to save it up for when tax time comes around?

-Rob

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by aloft

As a contractor, you pay your share of Social Security--7.65%--AND what's normally the employer's share--also 7.65%--as "self-employment tax", for a total of 15.3%. Plus Medicare and your normal income tax.

You're right...

Taking it further - you have more control over your tax situation. If you can forecast, accurately, what you're going to make that year, and you know what you're going to be deducting as expenses, you have a little more control over your tax-destiny. As a contractor, there are many, many, many things you can deduct that an ordinary employee cannot.

Does it come straight out like a regular job, or do you have to save it up for when tax time comes around?

I believe - and I might be wrong about this - that you can file and pay quarterly as an independent contractor, but you don't have to - annual works. You just fill out your 1040, do your Schedule A for deductions, crunch the numbers and send the IRS a check, or don't send them anything if you calculate to less than a dollar owed, which should be the goal.

If you're a certain type of business, you have to file quarterly. Need to ask a tax pro, though - been a long time since I did contract work and I honestly don't remember.

[turbomax97]

Ya know, props to ATP. I'm glad they're doing this.

Since I've been with ATP, pay started at:
1100/month
Last fall went to 1200/month
This month went to 1600/month
January will be 2000/month.

2500/month is most likely an average salary now. I'm thinking I may stick around and get my ATP before moving on. hmmm....

[LoadMasterC141]

Good to see the pay going up though. Too bad it is not moving for Non-ACPP grads at all.

[aloft]

Originally Posted by v1valarob

Does it come straight out like a regular job, or do you have to save it up for when tax time comes around?

-Rob

It's not withheld, like it would be for an employee. You're responsible for making quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS and may be subject to a penalty if you don't.

[aloft]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

Too bad it is not moving for Non-ACPP grads at all.

Which supports my assertion that they're just charging ACPP students that additional money up front, only to return it later under the guise of "increased wages".

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by aloft

Which supports my assertion that they're just charging ACPP students that additional money up front, only to return it later under the guise of "increased wages".

So I was one of the few who got in at $44,995 and will end up making $2,000 2 months into starting. Not too shabby

-Rob

[Clocks]

You decide to stick around rob?

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by Clocks

You decide to stick around rob?

Yea, standardization in Jax on October 20th, start Richmond after that. Haha, I don't know how I got suckered into it.

Apparently there will be 3 of us starting from that class.

-Rob

[Clocks]

Oh sweet 3 of you are going to RIC? I wonder if all of you guys will end up leaving at the same time like we did It's crazy how an entire location can change staff within a few week period. Long line of career students on the schedule too. Should keep ya busy!

[Airdale]

I wonder if ATP will take me back after 7 months of 121 experience. They're making Regional pay look ridiculous.....

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by Clocks

Oh sweet 3 of you are going to RIC? I wonder if all of you guys will end up leaving at the same time like we did It's crazy how an entire location can change staff within a few week period. Long line of career students on the schedule too. Should keep ya busy!

Yea, pretty crazy. How many ACPP students are starting 29 Oct? Thats the day we should all be there.

-Rob

[Clocks]

I think there's two on the 22 then two on the 29th. Usually its 2 new career students every other monday, and its pretty full through December if I remember right.

[SIUav8er]

Man, last time i checked they were gonna raise it to 1600 a month starting in October...now its 2000.

Thats kinda wierd how they pay "other CFIs" substantialy less. maybe they dont work as hard? lol

Thats great your gonna stick around and instruct Rob!

[DE727UPS]

I think the pay differential for ACPPer's is just another "carrot" to get people to buy into the ACPP program in the first place.

Outside CFI's would only go to ATP for the multi time, anyways, so why bother paying THEM any more. Such a deal has to cause some heartburn, though, between the have's and have not's. It's like having a B scale.

[Clocks]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

I think the pay differential for ACPPer's is just another "carrot" to get people to buy into the ACPP program in the first place.

Outside CFI's would only go to ATP for the multi time, anyways, so why bother paying THEM any more. Such a deal has to cause some heartburn, though, between the have's and have not's. It's like having a B scale.

None of the instructors I talked to cared. Like you said, we're all here for the multi time. And even $1200/m with 80+ hours of multi a month is a better deal than almost anywhere else. And if someone is desperate to make a few hundred bucks extra a month, they can instruct at ATP for a month and get all the multi time they need, then go somewhere else I'd gamble they are trying to get people to stay a little longer. I bet ATP saves a lot of money for each instructor who stays an extra month or two. And as previously stated, the extra $2400 or so they are paying the ACP grads (over the course of 3 months) is probably subsidized with their cost of the program anyways.