FlyTheBus, for now, I can only quote first years in gross dollars for 727 SO, DC-9 FO at one of the "big four" carriers. 2001 rates apply here. 727 SO: 1st yr-$36.06/hr, 2nd-$72.19. With us, everybody can leave the SO seat by the end of the first year, and many, many start on the DC-9.
DC-9 1st-$36.06, 2nd-$80.22. 3rd-$97.04. A DC-9 Captain with them can net about $5600 on one check and $4,000 on the end of month check, including not quite max deductions for 401k and minimum in other areas. This might include an extra 4:15 extra hours on a day off, a little over the max monthly 80 or 78 hours, according to my buddy.
You might just subtract about %25 for typical federal tax withholding-a few states still have no state income tax (maybe Texas, plus TN...), but maybe all have about %8 retail sales tax, as you might know. If you avoid states such as CA, NY, especially MI and MN (yech!) or other upper midwest or east coast places, you should come out ahead due to their very high state/ property/car/dog/kitty litter/rodent/oxygen/water...taxes.
Minnesota is especially "too big for its breeches", considering the mild tropical climate. It only feels like Solzhenytsin's gulag.
[This message has been edited by Ignition Override (edited 06 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Ignition Override (edited 07 May 2001).]