nilcostoptionmyass - you're quite right, it is an interesting point earning
£1200+ take home more per month. As you say, that is similar money to a junior Monarch Captain. That's a hell of a lot of money more as a year 1 F/O without the Captains responsibility. £1200 per month is my mortgage per month. The simple fact is, I would not be able to afford my house if I was still at Monarch.
When comparing airline salaries it is not sufficient to look at the basic wage alone. At the end of the day it's actually what goes into your account at the end of the month that counts. My company's basic is only a few grand more. However it's the flight pay that makes all the difference. Flight pay is what the Monarch CC need to be pushing for. £2.52/hour away from base or whatever it is now, is bugger all on short haul at Monarch. For me it didn't even cover my petrol to work!!!!!