Quality of life USA/EU (Easyjet/BA/Ryanair)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Mare Nostrum
Age: 41
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
300 killed in Western European Islamic Terrorism since 2014 compared to 273 killed in US school shootings. That’s just kids shooting kids in schools and before you start looking at statistics for gun violence/killings from the remaining 265 million guns in the USA.
i know where I feel safer...
i know where I feel safer...
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2 Great Nations....
Interesting discussion. I'l add a bit if I may.
I have lived in both London & New York for several years, Currently a CA in the CRJ 9 at a large wholly owned US regional.
Cost of living: While the US is cheaper for goods, services can be much more expensive.
Europeans generally only see Federal US tax rates. We also pay State and local income taxes, sales & property taxes. These are significant. -tax is NOT included in the published cost of goods, as VAT is in the EU.
Don’t forget to tip 20% when you go out. Dinner, drinks, parking et al.
My direct taxation takes ~45% of gross income. Indirect taxes another 20% or so.
Healthcare is expensive, and only somewhat subsidized by your employer. Vacations are paltry compared to the EU, and time off is 'Earned' and used (or not!) the following year.
US Regionals exist because of.a 'Scope Clause" in major airlines Pilot contracts. We fly the same routes as the majors do, in the same uniforms and same paint on the plane.
US ULCCs are really upping their game. The US does not have a consistent history of low cost carriers, so to a large extent they're just starting out. Sprits new Contract and JetBlues' TA put a narrow body airbus CA on par with the majors. Southwest has a $500k club.
In order to be interviewed a US major or legacy you need a 4 year degree. Prestige Aviation colleges here quote $250k for tuition. You have to fund that, as well as live for 4 years.
The people getting hired right at mainline now have Masters Degrees ...!
Converting EASA to FAA is a cakewalk. The other way around isn't.
Employee travel benefits for the US carriers are very good indeed.
To have the choice is paradoxically difficult…
I have lived in both London & New York for several years, Currently a CA in the CRJ 9 at a large wholly owned US regional.
Cost of living: While the US is cheaper for goods, services can be much more expensive.
Europeans generally only see Federal US tax rates. We also pay State and local income taxes, sales & property taxes. These are significant. -tax is NOT included in the published cost of goods, as VAT is in the EU.
Don’t forget to tip 20% when you go out. Dinner, drinks, parking et al.
My direct taxation takes ~45% of gross income. Indirect taxes another 20% or so.
Healthcare is expensive, and only somewhat subsidized by your employer. Vacations are paltry compared to the EU, and time off is 'Earned' and used (or not!) the following year.
US Regionals exist because of.a 'Scope Clause" in major airlines Pilot contracts. We fly the same routes as the majors do, in the same uniforms and same paint on the plane.
US ULCCs are really upping their game. The US does not have a consistent history of low cost carriers, so to a large extent they're just starting out. Sprits new Contract and JetBlues' TA put a narrow body airbus CA on par with the majors. Southwest has a $500k club.
In order to be interviewed a US major or legacy you need a 4 year degree. Prestige Aviation colleges here quote $250k for tuition. You have to fund that, as well as live for 4 years.
The people getting hired right at mainline now have Masters Degrees ...!
Converting EASA to FAA is a cakewalk. The other way around isn't.
Employee travel benefits for the US carriers are very good indeed.
To have the choice is paradoxically difficult…
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: on earth
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One thing, which I don’t think has been mentioned previously, is the cost of sending your kids to higher education. No real direct tuition cost in Europe, while in the US $100k/kid seems to be the norm and something most parents have to actively save for. Sure, there may be cheaper avenues such as online courses, but no matter who you twist it, higher education in the US is pricey. Maybe not a deciding factor, but still to be considered.
Yes, there is a "direct" cost: taxes.
"Free education" isn't free. In places where this phenomenon is alleged to exist...it doesn't. Someone paid because colleges are not charities.
Perhaps you spread the cost over an entire society where everyone pays for someone else's "free" education even if they have no kids getting the "free" college education.
You're OK with that ? You got scammed. Hilarious.
Last edited by bafanguy; 5th Jun 2018 at 22:17.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: on earth
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, there is a "direct" cost: taxes.
"Free education" isn't free. In places where this phenomenon is alleged to exist...it doesn't. Someone paid because colleges are not charities.
Perhaps you spread the cost over an entire society where everyone pays for someone else's "free" education even if they have no kids getting the "free" college education.
You're OK with that ? You got scammed. Hilarious.
"Free education" isn't free. In places where this phenomenon is alleged to exist...it doesn't. Someone paid because colleges are not charities.
Perhaps you spread the cost over an entire society where everyone pays for someone else's "free" education even if they have no kids getting the "free" college education.
You're OK with that ? You got scammed. Hilarious.
Of course I know that the school system in Europe is funded by taxes. I watched my parents pay a ridiculous amount in taxes over their careers for things such as public schools/universities. My point was, in the US, you as a parent need to have the discipline/means to early on start saving if you want to send your kids for higher education. In Europe you don’t have to worry about whether or not you will be able to afford to send your kids to university.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, there is a "direct" cost: taxes.
"Free education" isn't free. In places where this phenomenon is alleged to exist...it doesn't. Someone paid because colleges are not charities.
Perhaps you spread the cost over an entire society where everyone pays for someone else's "free" education even if they have no kids getting the "free" college education.
You're OK with that ? You got scammed. Hilarious.
"Free education" isn't free. In places where this phenomenon is alleged to exist...it doesn't. Someone paid because colleges are not charities.
Perhaps you spread the cost over an entire society where everyone pays for someone else's "free" education even if they have no kids getting the "free" college education.
You're OK with that ? You got scammed. Hilarious.
The good ol' US of A. 'Freedom' and nothing but potholes.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Denver
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually I didn’t get scammed. I live in one of the more modern European countries where I actually have an average tax of less than 10%, 0% as long as I don’t have kids, and I still get to send my future kids to free higher education. Think of Monaco but with a more normal lifestyle and much lower cost of living. Suck on that one!
Of course I know that the school system in Europe is funded by taxes. I watched my parents pay a ridiculous amount in taxes over their careers for things such as public schools/universities. My point was, in the US, you as a parent need to have the discipline/means to early on start saving if you want to send your kids for higher education. In Europe you don’t have to worry about whether or not you will be able to afford to send your kids to university.
We're ALL scammed by government...one way or another.