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On 9/10/2002 11:02:17 AM ONTHESTREET wrote:
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On 9/9/2002 9:52:28 PM Oliver Twist wrote:
And tell me, just why does a pilot, any pilot need to make a quarter of a million dollars or more??????? -------------
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Most pilots do not make that much...not by a longshot. Unfortunetly the news media always quotes the extreme upper scale.
Response- I do not think they all do, however, i suspect the average salary is well over $150-180,000-- why do you need even that much??
Still too close to the most powerful man on nearth for my taste. Oh and you can bet your bottom if that 265K was only the last year, then the years prior to that were very close. You can't use that argument.
However if you are interested in becoming a pilot and doing their easy job here are some tips.
Response- NEVER said it was easy, just not the all powerful and all mysterious you claim it to be.
1. If you do not have a college degree, spend 4 years and get one.
Response- I got one.
2. Then spend another 2 years training 4 to 5 days a week to aquire all the required ratings. Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multiengine, Multi- commercial, Certified flight instructor, Certified instrument instructor, Multi-engine instructor, and Airline Transport Pilot.
Response- Your choice to do that- no one forced you to do it--after all you were shooting for that 265K yourself.
3. Make sure you can obtain an FAA Medical. Due at least once a year,(every six months for Captian) Diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, gall bladder problems, heart palipatations...etc can all invalidate your medical, and end a career.
Response- any of those conditions can end MOST careers-
4. Fly as a flight instructor for 2 to 3 years for on average about $15000 a year.
Response- Try part time customer service at 8-9/hr.
5. Fly as a night freight pilot for another 2 to 3 years in horribly maintained light twins in all weather to get your multi time up. About $18000 a year.
Response- You seem to forget, your goal is 265K and you dont mind it so you do it.
6. If you manage to live through freight flying (I know 4 that did not.) Get a job with a commuter for another 3 to 4 years. F/O about $20000 a year, Capt. about $32000 a year.
Response- AT upgrade to Full time--NO RAISE
5. After spending about 10 years "paying your dues" you might be lucky enough to get hired with a major for about $36000 a year starting pay. After 20 or so years with that major (Assuming a good market) you may make that $250,000 your last year or so.
Response- after 20 years of passenger dribble and pilot arrogance-- maxed out at 20-25/hr (gotta subsidize that 265K your shooting for)
Also make sure your family is behind you on this, since you will probably move them 10 to 15 times all over the country to fulfill this goal.
Response- Crisscrossed the US more times than I care to remember w/o getting any allowance to move..
Most intelligent people can become a pilot, few are willing to sacrifice the time and effort required to make it happen.
Response- Your right, you can't be an idiot to be a pilot, but you surely can whim and cry poor with the best of them- You just keep right on thinking the Skilled folks don't need the little ones.
Any airline employee with the exception of Pilots Mechanics, and dispatchers, can be hired directly off the street and do their job without ever having seen an airplane before their first day. This is why some groups get paid better than others.
Response- OMG the arrogance of it all! How do you guys/girls get your heads through the doorway?? Listening to your ideas, go to Burge King, ask for anything different than normal and see what happens. THAT is what you will be dealing with if things continue the way they are to pay your ridiculous salaries. Kmart help. Just try to get anything doen in such a place thats even remotely different. Heck, most can't even add without their computer screen and can't even tell when they rung up something wrong. thats 9.50 sir. 9.50??? for a burger fries and a coke?? u sure about that?? yes screen says so. Think it dose not happen?? your kidding yorselves if you think YOU are the only ones who deserve to make a decent living.
On my personal feelings, I think that the mechanics should be paid much better than they are. I do not want a bad or disgruntled mechanic anymore than the passengers want a bad pilot. On the other hand, $60000 aircraft cleaners have got to go. (You know the ones that pick up the old newspapers) Since I am Laid-off anybody know how you get that gig?
Response - join the IAM.
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