Guys, the Captains basic salary in Euroland (or Spain at least) has been 60,000 Euros for as long as I can remember. This is not new news!! What is new is the exchange rate to sterling, but I think you'll find it fluctuates.
Add 5,000 to this (in the form of the allowance) and 23,000ish for 800 hours flying and overall, that's not too shabby. Particularly bearing in mind that you'll be taxed on 65,000 of it rather than the whole lot. Cash wise, assuming you do the hours then it's not too bad. Obviously get sick for any length of time and the situation changes - but that's how it's been in FR forever.
The issue mainly is the 10% cut for your first year, the 10% cut if you change base, total lack of benefits of any kind, the lack of a transparent basing policy and the fact that for many they can't just upsticks and move to a foreign country with wife and kids in tow and so have to support two homes. Then try and get back from Southern Spain on a 5/3 roster. There are many other issues with the FR Command than just the money side of things. It's for those issues that most are looking to jump ship. One of the main things that BA, for example, can offer is a stability of lifestyle. Gain a promotion there and you wont suddenly find yourself 2000 miles from home - it makes it an attractive option in the long run.
FR just need to make a few changes that wont really cost them a penny and they can slow, they'll never stop it, but they can slow the rate at which people are walking out the door.
But, they wont.
