Regional F/O's: how do you make ends meet?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Third Barstool on the left
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regional F/O's: how do you make ends meet?
G'day guys
just been crunching the numbers with The Boss, looking at the economics of working as a FO for Eastern, Rex, McAir etc. With a wife, child, dog, mortgage and aspirations towards a second child, it looks pretty tight to me.
How the hell do you make ends meet on $650 pw?
Even if the boss works 3 days/week, there is about $20 pw 'spare' in our draft budget after child care and everything else.
We are teetering on the brink - there are no money fairies at the bottom of our financial garden - How can you work as a regional FO and still live a life?
just been crunching the numbers with The Boss, looking at the economics of working as a FO for Eastern, Rex, McAir etc. With a wife, child, dog, mortgage and aspirations towards a second child, it looks pretty tight to me.
How the hell do you make ends meet on $650 pw?
Even if the boss works 3 days/week, there is about $20 pw 'spare' in our draft budget after child care and everything else.
We are teetering on the brink - there are no money fairies at the bottom of our financial garden - How can you work as a regional FO and still live a life?
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Darwin
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Being blunt
250 bucks better off than flying around the Kimberlies. If you have a very brief search around this site you , will read of guys flippin burgers just to get that extra dollar towards his CPL/MECIR/ATPL/ENDO ect ect . im sure they give a 
about your issues . Life is about choices my friend , keep your daks up or get another job .
Cheers
about your issues . Life is about choices my friend , keep your daks up or get another job . Cheers
Last edited by aircabbie; 14th Mar 2007 at 23:12.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Oz
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your going to earn more than that with Eastern. Its just the 10k you have to give them at the start you have to factor in! Also dont forget you will be an FO at Eastern for a long time. I hear there aint much progression.
However, regional pilots get paid allowances on top of the wage which will give you an extra $100 a week on average. Also you get fed at work which can save a few $$$.
However, regional pilots get paid allowances on top of the wage which will give you an extra $100 a week on average. Also you get fed at work which can save a few $$$.
Is the pay really that bad?
$650 a week
Bloody hell, i know regionals pay crap but far out. I earn more at woolies working as a supervisor for 38hrs a week as a 17 year old!!
I know its not about the money but you need to be able to afford to live on the basics even doing something youre passionate about. I would love to know what my instructors are on....but they wont tell me.
You pretty much need to have 2 jobs to be a pilot, well thats the way it seems to be headed which is sad. Hate to know what it will be like in 10-15 years time.........................
$650 a week
Bloody hell, i know regionals pay crap but far out. I earn more at woolies working as a supervisor for 38hrs a week as a 17 year old!!
I know its not about the money but you need to be able to afford to live on the basics even doing something youre passionate about. I would love to know what my instructors are on....but they wont tell me.
You pretty much need to have 2 jobs to be a pilot, well thats the way it seems to be headed which is sad. Hate to know what it will be like in 10-15 years time.........................
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Darwin
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jet a knight ,
Because you would know right !!! it is a fact that most who go through flight training these days to a CPL level are unable due to high costs afford to continue to higher levels of training there for are unable to continue/progress with their career . Life is all about choices thats all am saying , sorry if that comment offends anyone other then the tool this is in response to , however i would have thought its a sad fact .
Bendo hope it works out for you mate .
Cheers
Hotshot
Because you would know right !!! it is a fact that most who go through flight training these days to a CPL level are unable due to high costs afford to continue to higher levels of training there for are unable to continue/progress with their career . Life is all about choices thats all am saying , sorry if that comment offends anyone other then the tool this is in response to , however i would have thought its a sad fact .
Bendo hope it works out for you mate .
Cheers
Hotshot
Last edited by aircabbie; 14th Mar 2007 at 21:08. Reason: metrosexual= poof in closet jet a knight
Eastern about $49,900 Gross p.a.
average 3-5000 p.a. in allowances.
Astro, that really sucks. Which company u work for? You think you're out of GA unntil you find out stuff like that.
average 3-5000 p.a. in allowances.
Astro, that really sucks. Which company u work for? You think you're out of GA unntil you find out stuff like that.
Maybe if pilots would stop paying for their own endorsements and training they'd be in a better financial position to commence an aviation career.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ...
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did work at McDonald's for about 2 months. I'm 21, single, and don't give a f***. I got the job on the spot so I did it to earn extra $$$ to pay off rent and buy groceries, and save my pilot cheques. But I tell ya those f****** kids drove me up the wall.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ...
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks. I am now a Jetstream 31 and 32 FO now and I'm lovin it. Might still look for a second job to add to the comfort level. Stuck in northern Canada. No girls, no buddies, heck, might as well make extra cash.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Alice Springs
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Peter F
You are right. There never have been enough jobs for the thousands of pilots that come out of the flying schools. It's been that way for 35years. And for 35 years the flying schools have been talking about the wonderful opportunities out there for pilots.
So now we have a flood of pilots who go to GA just to "use them up" and get for free the experience and endorsements needed to move on. Some move on, some move out of the industry, some move overseas. Most move, and more endorsements and cost are needed. So pretty soon the operators decide the only way to stay viable is to charge for endorsements. This is also not very good, as some companies then turn into flying schools, and make profits from endorsements. Some have been known to exploit young pilots.
The RAAF have a scheme that ensures they get sufficient years of service from their pilots to justify the cost of training.
Many of the airlines are now charging for endorsements . Do they get loyalty from these pilots?
I see contracts and bonds being the future for GA, with some money up front and legal agreements to keep everyone honest. I think a fair way would be for the pilot to take out a loan to pay for the endorsement and /or bond, and the employer to pay him/her an allowance to make the payments with. I'm confident that the AFAP would be very interested if one of their members was in this situation, and was sacked.
Someone has to pay for endorsements and training.
Operators need a stable and reliable group of pilots.
Pilots need a stable and reliable job, with reasonable income.
In reality a pilot's an apprentice for the first 1500 hours.
A lot more appreciation fo reality is desperatey needed.
So now we have a flood of pilots who go to GA just to "use them up" and get for free the experience and endorsements needed to move on. Some move on, some move out of the industry, some move overseas. Most move, and more endorsements and cost are needed. So pretty soon the operators decide the only way to stay viable is to charge for endorsements. This is also not very good, as some companies then turn into flying schools, and make profits from endorsements. Some have been known to exploit young pilots.
The RAAF have a scheme that ensures they get sufficient years of service from their pilots to justify the cost of training.
Many of the airlines are now charging for endorsements . Do they get loyalty from these pilots?
I see contracts and bonds being the future for GA, with some money up front and legal agreements to keep everyone honest. I think a fair way would be for the pilot to take out a loan to pay for the endorsement and /or bond, and the employer to pay him/her an allowance to make the payments with. I'm confident that the AFAP would be very interested if one of their members was in this situation, and was sacked.
Someone has to pay for endorsements and training.
Operators need a stable and reliable group of pilots.
Pilots need a stable and reliable job, with reasonable income.
In reality a pilot's an apprentice for the first 1500 hours.
A lot more appreciation fo reality is desperatey needed.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ...
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it were me I would get rid of the dog and go-around on the second kid, downsize the house (and hence mortgage). Yes, I know, I'm heartless- but with a passion (flying). Then I'd go get Mogas's old job at maccas.
If you want it bad enough you can make it work. I really admire stories like mogas's's's.
Good luck with what ever you choose.
If you want it bad enough you can make it work. I really admire stories like mogas's's's.
Good luck with what ever you choose.
Get a second job; shelf stacking in Coles, brickies labourer, taxi driving etc have all been done by pilots.
Note you may also need a second job even if you are a Captain with certain companies.
Note you may also need a second job even if you are a Captain with certain companies.