Freelance rates/rebates
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: South Africa
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Freelance rates/rebates
Just a thought, how is it possible that when you moonlight on a Seneca or any other Part 135 aircraft, you can charge anything between R1.00 to R1.40 per km, plus claim S&T and calculate demurrage. But try and moonlight on a airliner above 40 000 kg and the rate is suddenly between R800-00 and R1500-00 a day for a FO and R1000-00 to R2000-00 a day for a Captain. And then they make sure you are exploited to the full extend of FDP.
Most of the time you can make more money doing a quick Londolozi in a 402 than a whole days flying in a 727.
Surely it should be the otherway round. Especially if you think about the cost on Part 121 aircraft such as simulator etc. as well as the experience levels required.
Maybe somebody can shed some light on this phenonema. To let the cat amongst the pigeons, is it not purely supply and demand ?
Maybe it is because, whilst earning a fat pension from a descent airline, R1000-00 per day seems like a good idea for an outing. I have seen Captains charge R500-00 a day and as such they get used the most and he is seen to be a nice guy by the employer. A guy doing that on a King Air at Lanseria for a flight to Lusaka and back, will get a public hanging by the rest of the guys, if it should become known.
Think about it, what is the impact on the profit margins per passenger when you carry 150 of them, 4 times a day at an increased cost of say R2000-00 per day, opposed to do an 3 hour flight carrying 4 pax once.
A lot of charter queens would not even consider undercutting on freelance rates and purely sees it as a question of "you get what you pay for". Thus they pay the agreed freelance rates with a smile and everybody is happy. Plus, because mostly they don't quibble, they can choose who they want to use and thus get's their moneys worth.
Just a thought. I do not moonlight as a rule but do the odd flight and only when a fair fee is payed. A lot of guys depend on freelance flying for a living and surely they must get paid a fair fee as well as being considered first.
It becomes cheaper for some companies to use a freelance Captain than to employ one. Not to mention the choas that errupts in a cockpit with SOP's etc.
Maybe the time has come to stand together and charge these companies i.e. R1-20 a km. They will have to pay if they want crew and it is obviously going to be cheaper to train and employ their own crews. This will definately raise operational standards and will be better fro the industry in a whole.
But I suppose that will be in a perfect world. Africa is far from perfect.
Anyway, just some thoughts.
Most of the time you can make more money doing a quick Londolozi in a 402 than a whole days flying in a 727.
Surely it should be the otherway round. Especially if you think about the cost on Part 121 aircraft such as simulator etc. as well as the experience levels required.
Maybe somebody can shed some light on this phenonema. To let the cat amongst the pigeons, is it not purely supply and demand ?
Maybe it is because, whilst earning a fat pension from a descent airline, R1000-00 per day seems like a good idea for an outing. I have seen Captains charge R500-00 a day and as such they get used the most and he is seen to be a nice guy by the employer. A guy doing that on a King Air at Lanseria for a flight to Lusaka and back, will get a public hanging by the rest of the guys, if it should become known.
Think about it, what is the impact on the profit margins per passenger when you carry 150 of them, 4 times a day at an increased cost of say R2000-00 per day, opposed to do an 3 hour flight carrying 4 pax once.
A lot of charter queens would not even consider undercutting on freelance rates and purely sees it as a question of "you get what you pay for". Thus they pay the agreed freelance rates with a smile and everybody is happy. Plus, because mostly they don't quibble, they can choose who they want to use and thus get's their moneys worth.
Just a thought. I do not moonlight as a rule but do the odd flight and only when a fair fee is payed. A lot of guys depend on freelance flying for a living and surely they must get paid a fair fee as well as being considered first.
It becomes cheaper for some companies to use a freelance Captain than to employ one. Not to mention the choas that errupts in a cockpit with SOP's etc.
Maybe the time has come to stand together and charge these companies i.e. R1-20 a km. They will have to pay if they want crew and it is obviously going to be cheaper to train and employ their own crews. This will definately raise operational standards and will be better fro the industry in a whole.
But I suppose that will be in a perfect world. Africa is far from perfect.
Anyway, just some thoughts.
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You obviously live in a dream world or believe in pixies.
Where in the world are you going to get a bunch of pilots standing together about pay.
To your face they all agree with you,but behind your back they are the first guys to drop their km rate just to get the job.
It is either about hour building or some money is better than no money.
(Sorry I am getting a little off your mark regarding your posting,but).
I know of guys that are flying as co-jo's on a van for $500.00/month.
Sure they are not the most experienced pilots,but as they say,$500 is better than no $ and they are getting turbine experience.
Look at the Russian pilots.They fly for next to nothing and still smile.
Believe you me I agree all the way in what you say,but honestly dont hold your breath for the guys to stand together.
Then again I would fly your a/c for half your salary.
Where in the world are you going to get a bunch of pilots standing together about pay.
To your face they all agree with you,but behind your back they are the first guys to drop their km rate just to get the job.
It is either about hour building or some money is better than no money.
(Sorry I am getting a little off your mark regarding your posting,but).
I know of guys that are flying as co-jo's on a van for $500.00/month.
Sure they are not the most experienced pilots,but as they say,$500 is better than no $ and they are getting turbine experience.
Look at the Russian pilots.They fly for next to nothing and still smile.
Believe you me I agree all the way in what you say,but honestly dont hold your breath for the guys to stand together.
Then again I would fly your a/c for half your salary.
