Coming from a military aviation background I'm relatively new to the civilian side. I recently got out of the military a few months ago and intended to pursue an airline career, but the more I learn about this side of aviation the more I get disgusted with it. I find it difficult to deal with all the back-stabbing, petty arguments, and oversized egos on the aviator side, and the blatant mistreatment of pilots on the management side.
One of the craziest phenomenas I've observed in this industry seems to be the pay disparity between regional pilots and major pilots. On one hand I read about major pilots earning
$2-300,000 (and in many cases more then that) annually and on the other side regional guys barely earning $25,000. Now, nobody (not even God) could convince me that a major airline pilot deserves such a high salary. Especially, since we all know that the job isn't that difficult. What throws me for another loop is hearing these pilots try and justify this huge pay, and in the same breath berate regional pilots for trying to stand up for what they deserve, which **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** sure is more than $25,000. Major airline pilots (from DAL, UAL, etc) will even vote themselves a payraise that may potentially bankrupt their own company. Figure that one out!!! To you major guys: Are you all living on the same planet I live on? I ask this because from where I come from (CA) I can live like a KING on $80,000. In what part of this Universe did you guys find the logic that dictates you need to bankrupt your company so you can earn over $200,000. I'm sorry if you can't manage your finances (don't buy that 3rd SUV), but a reasonable person should be plenty satisfied with $1-150,000 and a financially stable company to work for.
Now I realize this is America and I'm all for being financially successful, but there should come a point in any responsible persons life when they need to weigh what's "right" and "fair" against what their greed desires. And what is "right" and "fair" should come first.
I know if I ever make it to the majors I won't forget my roots, and will always fight for the regional pilot.
One more crazy thing I've noticed is how many pilots who think they are better because they fly larger aircraft. To those pilots I say "get yourself a good psychologist" because you've got some serious issues!!
So what do some of you folks out there think about these issues?
Regards, AJ
One of the craziest phenomenas I've observed in this industry seems to be the pay disparity between regional pilots and major pilots. On one hand I read about major pilots earning
$2-300,000 (and in many cases more then that) annually and on the other side regional guys barely earning $25,000. Now, nobody (not even God) could convince me that a major airline pilot deserves such a high salary. Especially, since we all know that the job isn't that difficult. What throws me for another loop is hearing these pilots try and justify this huge pay, and in the same breath berate regional pilots for trying to stand up for what they deserve, which **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** sure is more than $25,000. Major airline pilots (from DAL, UAL, etc) will even vote themselves a payraise that may potentially bankrupt their own company. Figure that one out!!! To you major guys: Are you all living on the same planet I live on? I ask this because from where I come from (CA) I can live like a KING on $80,000. In what part of this Universe did you guys find the logic that dictates you need to bankrupt your company so you can earn over $200,000. I'm sorry if you can't manage your finances (don't buy that 3rd SUV), but a reasonable person should be plenty satisfied with $1-150,000 and a financially stable company to work for.
Now I realize this is America and I'm all for being financially successful, but there should come a point in any responsible persons life when they need to weigh what's "right" and "fair" against what their greed desires. And what is "right" and "fair" should come first.
I know if I ever make it to the majors I won't forget my roots, and will always fight for the regional pilot.
One more crazy thing I've noticed is how many pilots who think they are better because they fly larger aircraft. To those pilots I say "get yourself a good psychologist" because you've got some serious issues!!
So what do some of you folks out there think about these issues?
Regards, AJ