go work for virginblue/jet care - there they pay you 98k per year to hold one type
Sounds good doesn't it, until you work out that it includes shift penalties and a rostered overtime component. In real base rate terms it's no more than QF. (The Jetstar guys had a good look at it but soon figured out it wasn't all roses).
I've tried to figure out the QF rates several times but the EBAs are such a dog's breakfast it's impossible to figure out what's going on. Shift penalties in one document, pay rates in another, how you qualify for each grade in yet another.
My base rate in a QF regional is $62k for EIR, Mech guy's base is $53k.
The way you make money in aviation is shiftwork, guys in Eastern run around the 42% average penalty mark so Avionics guys are on $88k and Mech on about $74k, both plus O/T which can be as little or as much as you want. Southern guys are averaging about 38% penalties in Melbourne and 48% in Mildura (4on 4off perm niteshift there).
Bottom line is you work shiftwork you get the cash, you work heavy you get a life, you don't get both in this game.