Pilot shortage in USA
So do I understand you correctly: you are in the RHS of a non-major and make the same as a CX cpt ( in the region of 20 after tax?) I am genuinely curious, no offense. And what is your career plan? Will you seek another RHS at a major or stick to your current airline?
I plan to stay right where I am. Home based. No reserve (except downroute, on the rare occasion). No commuting. Best 401(K) in the industry. Zero cost healthcare (rare).
The company has 3 x the fleet size that CX/KA had at its peak. 64 new deliveries this year, 73 next year. There are excellent opportunities in the US, even outside of the majors.
Last edited by Veruka Salt; 5th Apr 2022 at 16:21.
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Keep guessing.
On the 7th I can show you my pay check of $25k for March if you like. Yes, I flew a lot of hours in March (16 over min guarantee) since we are short on crew just like all the other US 121 carriers, but because of dropped and pay protected trips and working a couple of extra days that is my total paycheck with 13 days off. Won’t happen every month but I will quite easily make 20k+/month going forward. My February pay check was $22.7k.
Not trying to brag here, just adding truth and reality to those playing down what you can make at US carriers in 2022. And I am making far less than some of the boys and girls are making at the big players, but I am personally very happy with what I have and I make sure to appreciate it.
On the 7th I can show you my pay check of $25k for March if you like. Yes, I flew a lot of hours in March (16 over min guarantee) since we are short on crew just like all the other US 121 carriers, but because of dropped and pay protected trips and working a couple of extra days that is my total paycheck with 13 days off. Won’t happen every month but I will quite easily make 20k+/month going forward. My February pay check was $22.7k.
Not trying to brag here, just adding truth and reality to those playing down what you can make at US carriers in 2022. And I am making far less than some of the boys and girls are making at the big players, but I am personally very happy with what I have and I make sure to appreciate it.
When you say large aircraft how large are we talking about?
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Not saying your a liar. You wouldn’t have gone DEC i to a legacy, and unless it’s an airline I don’t know about then I do find it a bit hard to believe. I’ve made that money too albeit in china for many years. Unfortunately coming back to the states and having to pay taxes truly sucked.
When you say large aircraft how large are we talking about?
When you say large aircraft how large are we talking about?
Not regional size nor wide body, should narrow it down enough I think.
For sure agree on the tax part as a previous beneficiary of the FEIE, paying full taxes definitively blows.
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There are many US 121 carriers which are not majors/legacies, which you probably already know. Apparently you do not know about my employer. Many don’t so don’t feel bad.
Not regional size nor wide body, should narrow it down enough I think.
For sure agree on the tax part as a previous beneficiary of the FEIE, paying full taxes definitively blows.
Not regional size nor wide body, should narrow it down enough I think.
For sure agree on the tax part as a previous beneficiary of the FEIE, paying full taxes definitively blows.
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I left CX 4 years ago to come back home. I love my job, and I definitely earn as much as I did while there, even including the housing. I flew 45 hours last year. My heart breaks for what has happened to CX and my ex-colleagues. A very fine group of aviators who do not deserve what has been dealt to them. STW, please stop trying embellish what has become of CX and Hong Kong. Everyone sees it for what it is.
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I was asking for numbers, I did not embellish anything. When and where?
I personally (!) feel too old, financially too comfortable, to used to the left seat for an American adventure. If you read my post, I was stressing the fact it might be ok for younger guys. I just speak out what hundreds others think, or they obviously would not be still here, wouldn't they flexi? That's it.
Clog, you can spill as much poison on HK and CX as you like, I know where you work now and would not like to trade places. Half the money for double the work compared to what I have. Fact. Additionally, stating the obvious here for you, life in HK depends not only on CX but also on kids, wife's job, real estate etc Simplifying is not the answer, we are all different, which is why I am interested in NUMBERS so I can make up MY mind based on MY situation. But if it is ok for YOU to work for the Huns, enjoy, I mean it. Just let's not forget you did not have the option to stay anyway, so I sense a tiny trace of rationalisation here. But really. I hope you eventually find closure. Remember, hate is not the opposite of love, indifference is.
I personally (!) feel too old, financially too comfortable, to used to the left seat for an American adventure. If you read my post, I was stressing the fact it might be ok for younger guys. I just speak out what hundreds others think, or they obviously would not be still here, wouldn't they flexi? That's it.
Clog, you can spill as much poison on HK and CX as you like, I know where you work now and would not like to trade places. Half the money for double the work compared to what I have. Fact. Additionally, stating the obvious here for you, life in HK depends not only on CX but also on kids, wife's job, real estate etc Simplifying is not the answer, we are all different, which is why I am interested in NUMBERS so I can make up MY mind based on MY situation. But if it is ok for YOU to work for the Huns, enjoy, I mean it. Just let's not forget you did not have the option to stay anyway, so I sense a tiny trace of rationalisation here. But really. I hope you eventually find closure. Remember, hate is not the opposite of love, indifference is.
Last edited by Sam Ting Wong; 7th Apr 2022 at 06:28.
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STW, think you might be barking up the wrong tree..
I'm doing less flying than at CX, more days off, for the same money as POS18, (minus the housing, which is disappearing anyway), at half the cost of living and double the standard of living.
No brainer really. Happiest I've been in 20 years since joining toxic CX as a mercenary.
Simples.
I'm doing less flying than at CX, more days off, for the same money as POS18, (minus the housing, which is disappearing anyway), at half the cost of living and double the standard of living.
No brainer really. Happiest I've been in 20 years since joining toxic CX as a mercenary.
Simples.
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I wish you well ( and that maybe at one point in the future you understand the repercussions of individual circumstances) 👍
Last edited by Sam Ting Wong; 7th Apr 2022 at 08:53.
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STW. I've always appreciated your posts. I would gently say that you are probably at the point I was two years ago...long time in CX and considering the next stage of life. I left just prior to covid (better lucky than smart !). I took a two year payout and don't regret a day that I stayed, or the day that I left. The US is booming aviation wise...huge pay increases and a genuine panic with the real shortage. CX has destroyed their legacy. Tragic.
Keep guessing.
On the 7th I can show you my pay check of $25k for March if you like. Yes, I flew a lot of hours in March (16 over min guarantee) since we are short on crew just like all the other US 121 carriers, but because of dropped and pay protected trips and working a couple of extra days that is my total paycheck with 13 days off. Won’t happen every month but I will quite easily make 20k+/month going forward. My February pay check was $22.7k.
Not trying to brag here, just adding truth and reality to those playing down what you can make at US carriers in 2022. And I am making far less than some of the boys and girls are making at the big players, but I am personally very happy with what I have and I make sure to appreciate it.
On the 7th I can show you my pay check of $25k for March if you like. Yes, I flew a lot of hours in March (16 over min guarantee) since we are short on crew just like all the other US 121 carriers, but because of dropped and pay protected trips and working a couple of extra days that is my total paycheck with 13 days off. Won’t happen every month but I will quite easily make 20k+/month going forward. My February pay check was $22.7k.
Not trying to brag here, just adding truth and reality to those playing down what you can make at US carriers in 2022. And I am making far less than some of the boys and girls are making at the big players, but I am personally very happy with what I have and I make sure to appreciate it.
Assuming you're talking about credit hours, not block, then you're on a pretty great captain rate to net 25k out of 86 - 90 credit hours. Can't be Avelo or Breeze. I can't think of any ACMI that you can do DEC at. Honestly I just thought it was those 2 and regionals that did street captain.
Got me stumped.
Sounds like you have done a good job being back on your feet after covid. Nice work
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I just met one ex-CX Captain here at one of the US big 3. Starting over on the right seat at our most junior fleet & base after a 15 year career at CX. Felt sorry for him having to start all over again. Great guy though. He’ll be back in the left seat in a short time if he’s not picky about base/fleet.
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I've been reading this with interest for some time and wasn't going to join to reply. I had over a decade in HK and while there never could see another way.
Now after being home for a couple of years, with a 6 figure job and 25% living cost I have never been happier. There is no shortage of jobs out there. I should have sewered Swire years ago.
Now after being home for a couple of years, with a 6 figure job and 25% living cost I have never been happier. There is no shortage of jobs out there. I should have sewered Swire years ago.
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I don't get it. 120 k before tax is a joke, isn't it? The signing bonus pays for the moving van, then what?
Look, good on anyone who finds a better future. But there is only one possible answer why guys like California refuse to be specific..
Again, I totaly understand one might choose lifestyle over money ( assuming there is indeed good lifestyle at the likes of Atlas or some Low Cost Airline). But please don't pretend there is both. And to clarify, I am talking only on behalf of older guys who can't crawl through the ranks for another 5-10 years. Again.
Look, good on anyone who finds a better future. But there is only one possible answer why guys like California refuse to be specific..
Again, I totaly understand one might choose lifestyle over money ( assuming there is indeed good lifestyle at the likes of Atlas or some Low Cost Airline). But please don't pretend there is both. And to clarify, I am talking only on behalf of older guys who can't crawl through the ranks for another 5-10 years. Again.
Last edited by Sam Ting Wong; 20th Apr 2022 at 07:46.
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Thankfully, a good lifestyle is very much subjective.
If a good lifestyle involves a cabin by the lake, blue skies, clean water,and libertarian values then the remuneration required to give all that up would be beyond anything current being offered in HK.
If, on the other hand, a good lifestyle is an urban life where shopping, eating and drinking are your core leisure activities, then the package i more than enough. Bu not enough to purchase any of the above items.
If a good lifestyle involves a cabin by the lake, blue skies, clean water,and libertarian values then the remuneration required to give all that up would be beyond anything current being offered in HK.
If, on the other hand, a good lifestyle is an urban life where shopping, eating and drinking are your core leisure activities, then the package i more than enough. Bu not enough to purchase any of the above items.
I don't get it. 120 k before tax is a joke, isn't it? The signing bonus pays for the moving van, then what?
Look, good on anyone who finds a better future. But there is only one possible answer why guys like California refuse to be specific..
Again, I totaly understand one might choose lifestyle over money ( assuming there is indeed good lifestyle at the likes of Atlas or some Low Cost Airline). But please don't pretend there is both. And to clarify, I am talking only on behalf of older guys who can't crawl through the ranks for another 5-10 years. Again.
Look, good on anyone who finds a better future. But there is only one possible answer why guys like California refuse to be specific..
Again, I totaly understand one might choose lifestyle over money ( assuming there is indeed good lifestyle at the likes of Atlas or some Low Cost Airline). But please don't pretend there is both. And to clarify, I am talking only on behalf of older guys who can't crawl through the ranks for another 5-10 years. Again.
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This is the pay scale for a part 135 operator, offering direct entry command. The schedule is 15 on 13 off, after a couple of years not bad at all especially on the bigger biz jets.