Pilot Salaries

[twfran]

My hat is off to all aviation professionals. And I include everyone (flight line, CFIs, DPEs, ATC, pilots of all sorts, etc) in that statement. I recently got back into flight training after a hiatus of 7 years. Everyone involved in GA and commercial aviation is a professional. Many of my coworkers have the perception that we are all just a bunch of risk-takers. I point out that when I do encounter another pilot, I can be sure that both of us know more about our winged transportation than the hundreds of distracted, poorly-trained drivers we pass on the highway every day going to work. Until you work in the system, it is hard to relay just how disciplined aviation is in this country.

 

[LandRvr Convert]

good post here guys. I totally agree about the pay thing...crazy! I heard Captian Sully (US Air 1549) and the first officer both work second jobs, I was shocked!

Now that airfares are so low, it is attracting alot of low-lifes who would otherwise be riding on Greyhound.

Most people have no idea how expensive and complex an operation running an airline is, and those are generally the same ones who complain about paying $1000 or so to fly round trip to Europe and back. They have no idea the plane they are on (B777) cost the airline 150million dollars. Each Rolls Royce engine on that aircraft is about 15million.

This is not to mention, how much gas that 777 uses round trip AND, you get to drink your gin and tonics all the way!
I know a B767 uses about $18,000 in gas one way from JFK to LAX. I think most people would have no idea it's that much.

I LOVE flying. My dad just retired from almost 40 years at Delta. It's alot different than it was in the '70s and '80s when I was growing up. It's so cool Delta once again has B747s! They fly one nonstop ATL-HNL daily. I may just have to go to HI just to fly on that plane again after so many years!!!!!

 

[alaskaman]

Well my Alaskan Airlines ticket put me on the same plane that crashed in Albany and I changed the ticket. On my way to SF for a couple ball games and see my family.

The change fee and the new flight (on a 737-800) cost me $200.00 but after the crash in NY the NY Times reported on a whistle blower who said that the plane was unsafe and who had been demoted and then fired. Easy decision.

I will let you know how the flight was......... volcano is quiet should get off the ground.........love to fly........=). Had no idea that pilot salaries required a 2nd job. sounds like most of us including RN's:biggrin2: