Virgin Atlantic FO payscale
As a LTC at a loco making £120k gross- how many years would it take to get back to that salary in VS (or BA for that matter) not including the fact I know they both have far superior 'packages' including pension and other perks. Just wondering how long it'd take to have that much in the bank each month again and how long if at all would it take to break even bearing in mind I'm mid 30's??
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In BA it will take you 19 years to get to that figure and that's assuming command at some point, if your a life long F/O then make it 34 (Short haul pay scales, long haul might knock a few years off that but you are unlikely to get a long haul command before 19 years anyway). Money is no longer the reason for joining BA or Virgin.
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If money isn't the reason for joining BA or VS, what is the reason?
Is it crippling fatigue and constant jet lag? That's why I left anyway, not to mention the aeons to command....
And how long will it take to get the money back if you leave a £120,000 job? Answer: you never will. It's not just lost wages, it's the lost investment compounding time for all those extra years of money. And that is potentially huge.
Is it crippling fatigue and constant jet lag? That's why I left anyway, not to mention the aeons to command....
And how long will it take to get the money back if you leave a £120,000 job? Answer: you never will. It's not just lost wages, it's the lost investment compounding time for all those extra years of money. And that is potentially huge.
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As a LTC at a loco making £120k gross- how many years would it take to get back to that salary in VS (or BA for that matter) not including the fact I know they both have far superior 'packages' including pension and other perks. Just wondering how long it'd take to have that much in the bank each month again and how long if at all would it take to break even bearing in mind I'm mid 30's??
As has been said if you are chasing money then a Loco captain/LTC will earn more money over a career. However there is lots to take into account. VS most likely has a better pension, but also (and of course this is very much personal preference) better lifestyle. I find the long haul lifestyle a lot more pleasant then short haul loco's. But I don't have a major issue with jet lag and find the roster much more lifestyle friendly! We have at least 10 days if not more off a month and yes we are way for 2/3 days but then are off for 2/3 days after. I have more time at home now, and more rested/enjoyable time then I ever did with short haul. I couldn't work in short haul for 30 years, it would kill me! I like having a few mini-holidays a month with days off inbetween then working 5/6 days in a row with long hours and only a few days off to recover before starting again.
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If money isn't the reason for joining BA or VS, what is the reason?
Is it crippling fatigue and constant jet lag? That's why I left anyway, not to mention the aeons to command....
And how long will it take to get the money back if you leave a £120,000 job? Answer: you never will. It's not just lost wages, it's the lost investment compounding time for all those extra years of money. And that is potentially huge.
Is it crippling fatigue and constant jet lag? That's why I left anyway, not to mention the aeons to command....
And how long will it take to get the money back if you leave a £120,000 job? Answer: you never will. It's not just lost wages, it's the lost investment compounding time for all those extra years of money. And that is potentially huge.
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I'm in the same boat, lowcost Capt made 135k eur everything included last year, but but really fed up with the lowcost job and lifestyle. I thought about applying to virgin, would it make sense being 31 years old and joining as FO? Is the lifestyle really that much better to take this big pay cut? Any Advice?
Not related to VS but 20 years ago, I was a Training Captain on B737 for a U.K. Charter airline. Joined BA as a 747FO, aged 42. 14 years to LHS Airbus. 19 years to LHS 787. (Could have got LGW SH command much earlier.)
OK, the initial pay cut was very painful but I have no regrets at all. IIRC, my basic went from £53K to £30K. Now it's £156K, but as others have said, it's not all about the money. My life-style improved no-end, the family loved the staff-travel perks and I generally felt that I had more time at home and felt better when I was there.
Difficult to give advice based on my experience as the world has moved on and who knows what the next 20 years will look like? Anyway, it worked for me and good luck to you, whatever you decide.
OK, the initial pay cut was very painful but I have no regrets at all. IIRC, my basic went from £53K to £30K. Now it's £156K, but as others have said, it's not all about the money. My life-style improved no-end, the family loved the staff-travel perks and I generally felt that I had more time at home and felt better when I was there.
Difficult to give advice based on my experience as the world has moved on and who knows what the next 20 years will look like? Anyway, it worked for me and good luck to you, whatever you decide.
Last edited by eckhard; 31st Jul 2017 at 15:22.
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Champagne anyone...?
Year One FO pay is £71162, consisting of £55166 basic and £15996 flying pay.
Year 2 - £74240
Year 3 - £75699
Year 4 - £77182
Year 5 - £78712
Year 6 - £80281
Flying Pay remains fixed at £15996 every year.
Honest opinion of the place? I like it and consider myself lucky to be here. I fly with good people on decent routes in good aircraft. We are well remunerated and our pension is the best in the industry. Time to command is fair for a seniority-based airline.
There are mumbles and moans as in any airline but on balance it's a good place to work. You will obviously get varying opinions but that's mine.
Year 2 - £74240
Year 3 - £75699
Year 4 - £77182
Year 5 - £78712
Year 6 - £80281
Flying Pay remains fixed at £15996 every year.
Honest opinion of the place? I like it and consider myself lucky to be here. I fly with good people on decent routes in good aircraft. We are well remunerated and our pension is the best in the industry. Time to command is fair for a seniority-based airline.
There are mumbles and moans as in any airline but on balance it's a good place to work. You will obviously get varying opinions but that's mine.