Mainstream airlines Pilot Pay and affecting factors
 

Hi guys,

I was just wondering how pilot remuneration benefits have changed over the years due to various factors. The world is a dynamic place and I think main concern in the very near future might be the influx and impact of Low Cost Carriers (LCCs).

Was reading a report from fortune magazine on the US budget airlines (Southwest being one of the most successful ones) getting a bigger piece of pie each progressive year. Airlines like Ryan air and Easyjet probably needs no introduction in Europe too, not to mention the startups of Tiger Air, Valuair, Air Asia, Jetstar, Virgin blues in Asia Pacific.

Just curious how the pay scales are like for pilots of such LCCs and if anyone may want to add some foresight on how this emerging industry is going to affect mainstream pilot remuneration since staff cost is probably second only to fuel and/or maintainance.

Also, if anyone is able to provide a list of pay versus airlines for curiousity sake, it'll be greatly appreciated! :O

Maybe check out http://www.ppjn.comhttp://www.ppjn.com
Enjoy the search!

I don't think its the pay that is different at low cost airlines, I think its more the hours worked - most pilots work to the legal maximum.
If you look back through aviation history, in the past there have been periods of pilot shortages and pilot surpluses. During the times of pilot shortages, the pilots can ask for better pay and conditions, and because airlines are having trouble recruiting enough people, the pay and conditions generally improve. Then there starts to be a pilot surplus and the companies start to claw back on the pay and conditions. Typical "supply and demand" problem I suppose.
At the moment we have just gone through a pilot surplus due to the effects of Sept 11th. However, we are now looking towards a pilot shortage, I believe, for a number of reasons - low cost airlines heavy recruiting for expansion plans; BA, Virgin, Emirates and Qatar recruiting; charter airlines recruiting; after Sep 11th a lot of potential pilots chose not to train, so there is a bit of a gap.
This will be countered by the opening up of Europe, with new countries joining, and pay here being better than many of the new EU countries.
The main change to airline pilots has been in terms of working hours, not pay.