Just what are pilots worth then?
Every Thread and Post complains about conditions/hours/pay.
Just what would be the (sensible) ideal salary/income?
In comparison:
A qualified professional of around 35 years of age in my industry (property/construction) would expect to earn around £35,000 pa plus a car, pension, health and work a basic 39 hours per week.
A 50 year old, maybe a partner, would be earning around £60,000 to £70,000 pa (at least) with the above benefits, although with an expense account and probably longer hours.
Take the longer hours for an airline pilot, the unsocial hours of work and the risk, then a First Officer aged 35 working a minimum of 55 hours a week should be earning approximately £49,000 pa with benefits, but without any allowance for unsocial hours and risk (loss of licence, operating environment and the like).
A Captain proportionally more.
On the face of it, like for like, it does not seem that pilots are badly paid - if they follow the age/experience profile.
Any comments?
SITW