The profession in the USA and Europe
I have been a flying for almost 10 years now and I am approaching 30 years of age soon. I am sure that most of you are aware how low the morale and the pay is in the United states. My first year flying for a "highest" paid regional I made $20K before taxes. Keep in mind that rent in my area is about $1000 a month for a studio apartment... This month I will be on 4th year pay scale and maybe I can break into the mid $40K ($2500 a month after taxes). Needless to say, my pay is less than that of a city bus driver. I have a second job that pays well and that is the only reason why I am still flying. I worked hard and payed a lot of money to become an airline pilot but it's becoming increasingly hard to justify staying at the airlines, at least in the United States.
To make a long story short, I have decided to give the profession one more shot in Europe. I am a European citizen and I have always wanted to come back to the old continent ever since my parents and I moved to the United States. I guess the real reason for this post is some encouragement and reassurance that life as pilot is better in Europe. I have been treated like a unskilled worker for many years(by the company and passengers) and it is hard for me to believe that life is that much different in Europe.
I have started the JAA conversion process and I already obtained my medical just to make sure I can pass it under the stricter European standards. I have seen the steady degradation of the Pilot profession in the United States and I am hoping that things are different in the Europe. Do you think that I am wasting my time and money and the low pay and lack respect will spread to the European aviation as well? Or maybe at least for a foreseeable future, it's still a respectable profession at the other side of the pond?
Regards,
Simon