What does our qualification earns for us? ...
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What does our qualification earns for us? ...
...And why we areng we can to doing everything we can to deter future aviators
I always find it quite interesting what the aviation industry is doing to “help” create a sustainable future. If it wasn’t for the financial downturn, the pilot shortage occurred in 2008 would have continue throughout this year. And when the economy turns around again, passengers start to travel and aircrafts to arrive again, who will this affect the most? It will be General aviation and regional airlines.
If you have a look at the current REX EBA negotiation, why aren’t they future proving their pilots number? Instead, they are offering an “improvement” from their current agreement to a level that just above “shxt”. The current Australian average wage is just over $57,000 while Rex’s first officer sits at $42,271. What is more insulting is the fact that for a person to have spent up to $80,000 to be a professional pilot to be rewarded with a poorly paid condition for the next 5-10 years of their working life.
In the general aviation industry, a pilot is laughing to the bank if he earns more then $30,000 from their employer, but this includes working their butt off trying to impress their CFI for further promotion, or more flying hours by sweeping the hangar, washing their cars, mowing the lawn…etc. Once in the regional airliners level, the conditions are slightly better. For example, 1st year First officer at Rex earns $42271, and 1st year First officer at Qantaslink earns $52709. Still, no gem!
With what a pilot invests into their career, at close to $80,000, comparable with the cost of getting a medical degree, the financial reward for having this job title may just not be enough to lure future school leavers to choose such career. Comparatively, a first year graduate from an IT industry, or finance industry will earn close to $57,000 if not more on their first year out of the university.
So, why are the companies to continue to shoot themselves in the foot, and cry fowl play? What does it take to actually have a better future in our industry?
I always find it quite interesting what the aviation industry is doing to “help” create a sustainable future. If it wasn’t for the financial downturn, the pilot shortage occurred in 2008 would have continue throughout this year. And when the economy turns around again, passengers start to travel and aircrafts to arrive again, who will this affect the most? It will be General aviation and regional airlines.
If you have a look at the current REX EBA negotiation, why aren’t they future proving their pilots number? Instead, they are offering an “improvement” from their current agreement to a level that just above “shxt”. The current Australian average wage is just over $57,000 while Rex’s first officer sits at $42,271. What is more insulting is the fact that for a person to have spent up to $80,000 to be a professional pilot to be rewarded with a poorly paid condition for the next 5-10 years of their working life.
In the general aviation industry, a pilot is laughing to the bank if he earns more then $30,000 from their employer, but this includes working their butt off trying to impress their CFI for further promotion, or more flying hours by sweeping the hangar, washing their cars, mowing the lawn…etc. Once in the regional airliners level, the conditions are slightly better. For example, 1st year First officer at Rex earns $42271, and 1st year First officer at Qantaslink earns $52709. Still, no gem!
With what a pilot invests into their career, at close to $80,000, comparable with the cost of getting a medical degree, the financial reward for having this job title may just not be enough to lure future school leavers to choose such career. Comparatively, a first year graduate from an IT industry, or finance industry will earn close to $57,000 if not more on their first year out of the university.
So, why are the companies to continue to shoot themselves in the foot, and cry fowl play? What does it take to actually have a better future in our industry?
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What does it take to actually have a better future in our industry?
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"cry fowl play....."
Our feathered friends play fair I believe. Although they do make a mess with all the sh!t and feathers they leave behind. Their rule book is simple and easy to understand and the remuneration offered for the flying component of the agreement is excellent due to the united front from within the feathered community during the negotiation process
Probably explains the poultry working conditions this industry offers.....
Our feathered friends play fair I believe. Although they do make a mess with all the sh!t and feathers they leave behind. Their rule book is simple and easy to understand and the remuneration offered for the flying component of the agreement is excellent due to the united front from within the feathered community during the negotiation process
Probably explains the poultry working conditions this industry offers.....
Last edited by Grogbog; 28th Apr 2009 at 16:42.
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the financial reward for having this job title may just not be enough to lure future school leavers to choose such career
I'm sorry, you may have to re-write that strange rant "sleepy head" before you will get any reasonable reactions to it.
That was like one of those TV show auditions for Australia's got talent or something.
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We all fly because we secretly love it, if I was flying for the money I would have left many years ago for greener pastures. Its tough, life's tough and I'm sure there will continue to be young people coming through the ranks that share the passion that makes us all endure the hardships we are subject to in this industry. Wish I had a solution, we would all be millionaires, unfortunately employers prey on our passion.
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Personally I blame both Cpt. W.E. Johns and his alter ego Biggles!
But then, with all the pitfalls, agony, heartache and ****e that goes with it, I LOVE my job, and NEVER want to do anything else.
What a great ride.
Beats working for a living!
But then, with all the pitfalls, agony, heartache and ****e that goes with it, I LOVE my job, and NEVER want to do anything else.
What a great ride.
Beats working for a living!
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Nice first attempt at a windup. Not!
Answer...People who desire to have a better future, get on and do it and don't just whine about it.
What does it take to actually have a better future in our industry?
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What is more insulting is the fact that for a person to have spent up to $80,000 to be a professional pilot to be rewarded with a poorly paid condition for the next 5-10 years of their working life.
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"The current Australian average wage is just over $57,000..."
Thanks.
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Quote-
"Just curious - but where did that figure come from? I thought the average was in the mid to high $40k's for all workers and the $57k related to average family income?"
_________________
Average pay packet tops $57,000 | Business | News.com.au
"Just curious - but where did that figure come from? I thought the average was in the mid to high $40k's for all workers and the $57k related to average family income?"
_________________
Average pay packet tops $57,000 | Business | News.com.au
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A few that popped up on a google search.
Salary Information - Latest Pay Rates by Industry at MyCareer
Australian Salaries - CATTICO
Australia Salary, Australian Salary, Australia Salaries, Australian Salaries | tribus lingua
A graph over 20 years would be more interesting.
Salary Information - Latest Pay Rates by Industry at MyCareer
Australian Salaries - CATTICO
Australia Salary, Australian Salary, Australia Salaries, Australian Salaries | tribus lingua
A graph over 20 years would be more interesting.
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Average and Median are two different things!
Average Wage is warped by the ultra high salaries of execs, CEO's etc,
Median wage is much more accurate, take the Average Wage figure with a grain of salt. I can't find a reference for last year but the current median wage is mid to high 30K's.
If you had 5 people, 4 on low incomes and one on an ultra high income, the four low earners could reduce their salary next year, but if the high earner increases salary the average still could go up! As I said take Average with a grain of salt, its meaningless.
Average Wage is warped by the ultra high salaries of execs, CEO's etc,
Median wage is much more accurate, take the Average Wage figure with a grain of salt. I can't find a reference for last year but the current median wage is mid to high 30K's.
If you had 5 people, 4 on low incomes and one on an ultra high income, the four low earners could reduce their salary next year, but if the high earner increases salary the average still could go up! As I said take Average with a grain of salt, its meaningless.
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The figures that came out from the Govt last May, a year ago, said the average Full Time wage/salary was $62,500. That is, full timers only.
If you include all workers which includes soccor mums who may only work 10hrs a week, then the average is around 40K.
When you see these figures and realise at a BBQ with friends/family, that being a regional FO, you are definately the lowest earner there.
It is easy to understand why young people are not studying/spending 60-80K to earn below national average wages after "making it" to a Regional Airline which generally takes 5 years of making 35K in GA before your resume is answered.
If you include all workers which includes soccor mums who may only work 10hrs a week, then the average is around 40K.
When you see these figures and realise at a BBQ with friends/family, that being a regional FO, you are definately the lowest earner there.
It is easy to understand why young people are not studying/spending 60-80K to earn below national average wages after "making it" to a Regional Airline which generally takes 5 years of making 35K in GA before your resume is answered.
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Hmmm: Sleepyhead, Post 1 age 51. A wind up by a generation Y'er me thinks. No one 51 could have grammar as bad as that.
Maybe a little bored, perhaps a little disgruntled that it hasn't gone all to plan lately?
I agree with most of the replies though. Flying is fun and rewarding but also a tough grind sometimes. But isn't life like that in general, often you have to eat **** sandwiches. The average wage is a bit of a misnomer, it depends entirely where you live. Regional centres are cheaper to live in than capitals, but less facilities. Again you gotta make the most of what you have.
Maybe a little bored, perhaps a little disgruntled that it hasn't gone all to plan lately?
I agree with most of the replies though. Flying is fun and rewarding but also a tough grind sometimes. But isn't life like that in general, often you have to eat **** sandwiches. The average wage is a bit of a misnomer, it depends entirely where you live. Regional centres are cheaper to live in than capitals, but less facilities. Again you gotta make the most of what you have.
Kev9