Originally Posted by
172_driver
Sure, but you have to put it in perspective to what you get back as well. Medical care, school/nursery for the kids, state pension etc. Those are big costs. I know you are aware of that, but it needs to be remembered sometimes. Even comparing gross salaries between different EU states can be very much like comparing apples and oranges. Just sayin'...
Yes that is true. But sometimes, even with rough figures you can easily assess the deal.
Talking about LCC carriers in EU, Ryanair is going to be (unexpectedly) a good place to stay in some Countries. Considering the first Country signing a local contract (Italy) and compared to WOW Air 7000 Euros gross there's a huge gap.
As far as I got, once the transition will be completed in 2019, the NET Salary for Captains flying 70 hours will be around 8600 Euros. On Top of that and paid by the Company, there is a private pension fund (with good investment interests) and a private medical insurance for pilots and families. As part of the deductions from the Gross there is also the State pension paid 1/3 by the pilot ( with 2/3 paid by the company).
Even without knowing the exact taxation figures, an 8600 NET with those conditions compared to a 7000 GROSS with some benefits (but nobody says you'll be flying in adverse weather most of the times and living your days in Iceland paying 2-3 times the standard european prices for food etc.) offered by WOW Air, it's hard to compete. You can't pay a Captain flying on A320 and A330 mixed fleet 7000 Euros GROSS only. That's the salary for an FO on short-medium haul in other (non major) airlines, even without some benefits, that's out of business.
I'm sorry because it was a very good plan to fly mixed fleet in a young a funny environment but it must comply with minimum acceptable salary standard for our profession.