What does our qualification earns for us? ...
...And why we areng we can to doing everything we can to deter future aviators
I always find it quite interesting what the aviation industry is doing to “help” create a sustainable future. If it wasn’t for the financial downturn, the pilot shortage occurred in 2008 would have continue throughout this year. And when the economy turns around again, passengers start to travel and aircrafts to arrive again, who will this affect the most? It will be General aviation and regional airlines.
If you have a look at the current REX EBA negotiation, why aren’t they future proving their pilots number? Instead, they are offering an “improvement” from their current agreement to a level that just above “shxt”. The current Australian average wage is just over $57,000 while Rex’s first officer sits at $42,271. What is more insulting is the fact that for a person to have spent up to $80,000 to be a professional pilot to be rewarded with a poorly paid condition for the next 5-10 years of their working life.
In the general aviation industry, a pilot is laughing to the bank if he earns more then $30,000 from their employer, but this includes working their butt off trying to impress their CFI for further promotion, or more flying hours by sweeping the hangar, washing their cars, mowing the lawn…etc. Once in the regional airliners level, the conditions are slightly better. For example, 1st year First officer at Rex earns $42271, and 1st year First officer at Qantaslink earns $52709. Still, no gem!
With what a pilot invests into their career, at close to $80,000, comparable with the cost of getting a medical degree, the financial reward for having this job title may just not be enough to lure future school leavers to choose such career. Comparatively, a first year graduate from an IT industry, or finance industry will earn close to $57,000 if not more on their first year out of the university.
So, why are the companies to continue to shoot themselves in the foot, and cry fowl play? What does it take to actually have a better future in our industry?