I recently had a commuter airline Embraer F/O from the US on board of one of my flights, and was surprised to meet an "ex-US Citizen and ex-PanAm pilot" flying an Argentina 747... and we talked airlines and wages and career the whole flight...
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He is a second year F/O on Bandeirantes... he is 27 years old, and told me that he spent nearly $100,000 in training before he got hired by an "almost airline" (my name for a commuter air carrier). He still goes to college to get a 4 years degree, so to qualify for a major US carrier.
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He told me about his wages... US$24,000/year which is at today's exchange rate UK Sterling = 12,000 Pounds/year, or 17,200 Euros/year... He cannot afford to live at his base (due to rental rates) so, he lives with his parents, and spends approximately 20 nights monthly in a motel near the airport at his base. The motel rate for the room is $39 per night... oh yes, he has a medical insurance (but the first $1,000 of medical expenses for each calendar year are not covered, nor pharmaceuticals)... Oh yes, his income tax must be around 15-20% of his gross income (how "gross" is the money he is left with...???) -
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He was surprised that we do not charge for drinks and peanuts on our flight...
...and... he gave me his pilot resume (C.V.)...
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Happy contrails