If McDonalds has to do it. . .

[GaTechKid]

That Salary.com site is real accurate... I did a search on flight instructors in the Minneapolis area. Apparently I should go back to instructing because the 25th percentile makes $88,000...

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by GaTechKid

That Salary.com site is real accurate... I did a search on flight instructors in the Minneapolis area. Apparently I should go back to instructing because the 25th percentile makes $88,000...

Good one...

Here, I bolded the pertinent info for you:

Job Description
Flight Instructor
Instructs student pilots in flight procedures and techniques in ground school courses and flight training. Prepares lesson plans. Evaluates and monitors students performance. This position is typically is represented by a senior level pilot. The compensation data does NOT reflect salaries of flight instructors from smaller local flight schools who typically work on an hourly basis and consider the accumulation of airtime the highest priority in their respective careers.

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/l...and%20Airlines

So I would say yes, the salary.com report is pretty accurate if you consider that it is for the higher level major airline instructors.

[GaTechKid]

Schooled.

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

I'm the opposite - I wouldn't give up flying voluntarily to make $60k, $70k, even $80k/yr working a corporate type job with all the crap that goes along with it. I'd gladly make half that much, have loads of time off, no stress, and have a damn good time at work while I'm there.

You're assuming that I'm working a corporate type job. I'm not.

And believe me, $80K is definitely achievable for me. I've got a cush job, I've got an employer who treats me well and my income is only going to go up.

So why should I toss that for $19K a year the first year and $30K a year for the second for an employer who's going to treat me like crap?

I'm sorry, but the title "airline pilot" doesn't pay the bills. Cold hard cash does.

The crap pay and crap treatment of airline employees is why it's very unlikely I'll ever move past the instructor level. Unless airlines decide to make it worth my while, I'm not signing up.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by GaTechKid

Schooled.

I wasn't trying to be a prick, if I came off like it I apologize . Just letting you know that the salary figure was possibly accurate, for the conditions dictated.

Now, I have no idea what electricians in Chicago (or any city) make, all I can go by is either salary.com (or similar site) or someone on here who claims that they make $85k-$90k/yr.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by tonyw

The crap pay and crap treatment of airline employees is why it's very unlikely I'll ever move past the instructor level. Unless airlines decide to make it worth my while, I'm not signing up.

I don't think anyone really cares if you move past the instructing level to be honest with you...if you are happy and make more money doing something else, why stop?

Or is this your way of justifying your decision to yourself?

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

I don't think anyone really cares if you move past the instructing level to be honest with you...if you are happy and make more money doing something else, why stop?

Or is this your way of justifying your decision to yourself?

I don't have to justify myself to anyone.

I'm simply pointing out that airline careers are not attractive to some people because airlines treat their employees like crap and these people have to take a big paycut to do it.

A second person posted that as well -- wanna jump down her throat, too?

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by tonyw

I'm simply pointing out that airline careers are not attractive to some people because airlines treat their employees like crap and these people have to take a big paycut to do it.

Sweet, thanks for that heads up captain obvious .

Tell me Tony, are there dozens of forums that cover what you do for a living? Are there web sites dedicated to helping people "grow up" to hold the job title that you do?

No?

Now Tony, why do you think that is? Why do you think that there are web sites out there (we are on one) that are dedicated to helping those achieve their dream of being an airline pilot?

A second person posted that as well -- wanna jump down her throat, too?

No, because I already agreed with that statement on page #1 ...see post #9.

[Doug Taylor]

Good grief man, if you get angry, step away from the keyboard.

[avi8tor]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Not saying I don't believe you (but I don't). I don't think someone is easily able to make that much money. Overtime? Maybe. Owner of an electrician company, sure. But not as an employee at straight up 40 hours/week, 48-50 weeks a year.



Salary.com

Salaryexpert.com:



Yes, some people will make more than those averages. But most won't. I'm sure there are some out there that make $80k, $90k, plus, but let's be honest, do you think they are the majority or the minority?

You base your argument on salary expert? What a joke. Try checking out Illinois prevailing wages for electricians in cook county. After an electrician finishes his 5 year apprenticeship they make full scale about $ 80k a year on straight time. If you factor in their medical, retirement, and vacation fund they are worth about 115k/year.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by avi8tor

You base your argument on salary expert? What a joke. Try checking out Illinois prevailing wages for electricians in cook county. After an electrician finishes his 5 year apprenticeship they make full scale about $ 80k a year on straight time. If you factor in their medical, retirement, and vacation fund they are worth about 115k/year.

I don't really have anything else to go on, I don't know any electricians in the Chicago area. I thought it was pretty coincidental that the too job salary sites were pretty close to each other in terms of pay.

On a side note, do you think their union would consider taking on pilots ?

[777forever]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Good grief man, if you get angry, step away from the keyboard.

NICE PIC!

[clumpinglitter]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

I don't think anyone really cares if you move past the instructing level to be honest with you...if you are happy and make more money doing something else, why stop?

Or is this your way of justifying your decision to yourself?

For me, it's not really about money at all. It's about security. I could take an 80% pay cut right now to go apply at a regional, and I would love to do that, more than I can say, but it just doesn't seem responsible. I have too many friends who don't save and have no plan for the future, and that scares me -- on an airline salary, I wouldn't be able to save like I do now. I never stay awake at night and worry about bills. It would be different if there was solid assurance that a good dedicated airline pilot could eventually make up for the low starting salary, but there's none, and an airline job can disappear overnight and you're back at square one.

I think it's much easier to make the career leap if you're married and can rely on someone else to supplement income, take care of pets or an exploding water heater or whatever. It's a real struggle right now to figure out just how much I'm willing to sacrifice to do what I love. It also worries me that if I did switch, I would end up resenting doing what I used to love because of money stress. So it's not quite as simple as just skipping off and doing whatever makes you happy. Then again, maybe the desire for security is justification for not making the leap. That could certainly be the case, who knows.

-Christine

[GaTechKid]

No worries. I should have added a smiley face after schooled.

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Why do you think that there are web sites out there (we are on one) that are dedicated to helping those achieve their dream of being an airline pilot.

Wait, I thought this site was all about the good, the bad, and the ugly. You know what? I too had those starry eyed dreams of being an airline pilot.

Until I read about what Doug had to put up with. And what Amber had to deal with at American. And what her husband dealt with. And what Flying Turkey dealt with.

And dozens of other perspectives which showed me the grass isn't always greener.

I used to dream about being a major league hall of famer. Ain't gonna happen.

This site isn't just about dreams. It's also about reality.

And I thank folks like Doug for pointing out the downside instead of always pumping up the industry like the glossy full page ads for flight academies do.

And Christine, you are getting paid to do what you love. So you might not be able to jump in with both feet.

So be it! You're flying, and someone's paying you for it. You don't need no steenking fancy title to enjoy that.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by clumpinglitter

and I would love to do that, more than I can say,

Why would you love to go to an airline?

I think it's much easier to make the career leap

You and Tony are a minority of the pilot population these days IMO. Keep in mind, most of the pilots coming to the regionals these days are people who knew they wanted to be a pilot from before they were born, not career changers who are looking at taking pay cuts. We've only had jobs to support learning to fly and obtaining the requirements to keep getting better flying jobs.

Money and security is always an issue, no matter how much money you make. If you're making $100k and happy with what you are doing keep doing it. If you're not happy, and I mean really not happy, find something else IMO. Or use your current lucrative job to spring board you into something you want to do. Heck, I'll admit, I'm certainly jealous, I don't posses the intellect and business sense to be worth $100k to an employer in the business world.

[777forever]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Heck, I'll admit, I'm certainly jealous, I don't posses the intellect and business sense to be worth $100k to an employer in the business world.

Even if I do, I think I would be bored to death...

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

I'm sure there are some very well paid people up there.

The government statistics don't back up that one can "very easily" make $150k as a plumber, pipe fitter, or electrician.

I think you said it perfect. There are some people in any career you look at, that make very good money. For the majority, however, that isn't the case. There are some pilots that make $300K per year, but it doesn't mean all pilots do. Same for any career you look at.

[777forever]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

I think you said it perfect. There are some people in any career you look at, that make very good money. For the majority, however, that isn't the case. There are some pilots that make $300K per year, but it doesn't mean all pilots do. Same for any career you look at.