Next Generation, let's look at the wage and salay issue from another perspective; that of a bean counter. Let's just say that you spent 3 years at uni learning how to count beans(about the level of study for an ATPL plus a couple of heavy turbines and a jet type) and then you did your professional year (about as much study and on the job training as your first year at QF or DJ with sims etc) and then with about 5 years of working in the 'industry' our hypothetical bean counter gets a job at a widget factory as a Financial Controler (reporting to the CEO). This factory has a total value(inventory, building , land goodwill, forward orders etc) of $50Million and a staff of 130. This is the approx. value of a B737 and its passenger carrying compliament. The sort of salary that this position attracts is around $100K. This more than a Virgin Blue FO gets and our hypothetical beanhead has far less responsibility.Do you think this person is overpaid? What would the CEO get? Such a person would have spent 10 years as a manager at a lower level (perhaps as a Financial Controller) serving an apprentiship much in way that an FO needs prior to command. The CEO would be on $150-200 K easy. However, If the CEO or FC screws up, it's not likely anyone will die. If the widget factory 'crashes' with a total loss, will there be an end financial cost to the community of close to $1Billion? Not likely.They can also go home most nights and be with their families, have a social calender with regular Sunday BBQs with friends, actually be there to see the kids play sport, have X-Mas off, not be on the other side of the planet when a family crisis occurs. Consider too that if you develop a medical problem and have to retire 5 years early you may miss out on about $1.5M salary that you may have earned.Keg is quite correct; the high salary is but recompense for the level of responsibily required and for being stuffed around. To the companies, you are nothing but a licence and a suitcase. Dont take this all the wrong way, mate, we older blokes are trying to help you formulate an appropriate attitude to your work and your chosen profession. It's nice to go flying, but remember that your family have lives too. BTW some years ago Mrs. Bong and I worked out that to run a middle-class home in SYD requiered a MINIMUM of $48K NETT per annum(Incl food , 2 cars, mort. ins, 2 kids at public school and no frills such as boat, horse riding lessons etc.). On a
VB FO salary, ya would JUST scrape in.
Wiley, as an after thought, I know a long distance train driver who makes about $60k, so I guess we are just about there...
