What is it like being an airline pilot captain for a major international airline?

[cmhumphr]

I was just joking with @typhoonpilot about the paycut. Not meaning it in a condascending fashion in anyway.

I'm sure a 33 percent paycut is hard to take no matter what the initial salary is, because we are wired to spend what we make.

Mo Money Mo Problems

 

[Richman]

This is true.

Oh lord, so true.

The more you make the more you find that you're the only person in your family circle actually rowing the boat.

(as I'm laughing heartily at the memory of my mothers insistence that I pay off my brothers mortgage with my profit sharing check a few months ago)

That must have been an awkward "oh wait, you're serious?" moment when you stopped laughing...

While not to that level, I've seen the same attitude...the family equivalent of that awkward silence when everyone at the table is expecting you to pick up the check.

 

[Trip7]

This is true.

Oh lord, so true.

The more you make the more you find that you're the only person in your family circle actually rowing the boat.

(as I'm laughing heartily at the memory of my mothers insistence that I pay off my brothers mortgage with my profit sharing check a few months ago)

Glad I'm not alone. My "Financial advisor has me on a strict budget" rebuttal has worked very well"

 

[Cptnchia]

A senior Emirates captain makes the U.S. equivalent of $300,000/year when you factor in all of the benefits and tax deductions. Probably a little more.

FWIW, I'm on track to make close to that this year as a mid level/junior MD88 captain flying on average 85 hours a month or so with one GS a month. Just some perspective on why bigger planes don't always pay more.

 

[Cptnchia]

This is true.

Oh lord, so true.

The more you make the more you find that you're the only person in your family circle actually rowing the boat.

(as I'm laughing heartily at the memory of my mothers insistence that I pay off my brothers mortgage with my profit sharing check a few months ago)

Wait, didn't she want you to pay off his car or student loans a few years ago?

 

[Richman]

Wait, didn't she want you to pay off his car or student loans a few years ago?

Even if not monitarily impacted, I've found that if you even give off the impression of having all your poop in one flexible cloth container that family gravitates toward you to solve their problems.

And I don't mean like "hey Richman, can you come over and help me paint the fence, I'll buy the beer" variety...

More along the lines "hey you rich and idle person, you need to come up and unscrew this situation because you're rich and idle"

I've sacrificed a considerable amount in my youth to get myself into the position to be an idle slacker. Think of it as the the time equivalent of putting money in the bank when you're young. My vegetative periods on the couch today were bought and paid for in the 1990s.

 

[Cptnchia]

Even if not monitarily impacted, I've found that if you even give off the impression of having all your poop in one flexible cloth container that family gravitates toward you to solve their problems.

And I don't mean like "hey Richman, can you come over and help me paint the fence, I'll buy the beer" variety...

More along the lines "hey you rich and idle person, you need to come up and unscrew this situation because you're rich and idle"

I've sacrificed a considerable amount in my youth to get myself into the position to be an idle slacker. Think of it as the the time equivalent of putting money in the bank when you're young. My vegetative periods on the couch today were bought and paid for in the 1990s.

TVS.

Time Value of Slackness

 

[Bear]

wired to spend what we make.

 

[derg]

My father was the only one in his family to do well for himself, which when I say that I mean 90k income maybe 20 years after starting from the bottom. His family now thinks he's rich and can pay for the family meetings, pay for meals every time we get together and now that his son is a pilot we can get them free flights all around the world! Needless to say we rarely see the fam anymore... kinda sad

I very much relate to that.

 

[derg]

Wait, didn't she want you to pay off his car or student loans a few years ago?

Pretty much.

This is higher than average income and how your family and their friends (and their Facbeook social groups) see you!

That delicious meat is money, flight benefits and other goods and services.

Man, a breakfast doner sounds delicious!

 

[learhawkerbe400]

FWIW, I'm on track to make close to that this year as a mid level/junior MD88 captain flying on average 85 hours a month or so with one GS a month. Just some perspective on why bigger planes don't always pay more.

Even at lowly AA I can make more as a 190 captain then I can if I was on reserve on the 330. But, I'm a prostitute soooo there's that.

 

[A300Capt]

My buddy who has been an Emirates A380 Capt for several years just quit to go to Southwest.

To the OP. It's just a job, man. I've had a charmed career getting hired at a bottom feeder at 29 that turned into one of the best jobs in the biz. Blind luck or divine intervention? I tend to favor the latter....

Can't wait to retire at age 60 in 4 years. Lucky, I stuck it out at a place with a pension, and I'm low maintenance, so it works to get out at 60.

Right there with ya....

I've also had a charmed career at Big Brown but can't wait to retire in 55 months 28 days 7 hours 32 mins and 50 secs.......but who's counting?!?

 

[bp]

190 captain

ahh, now I get the "flowing to mainline" jabs from @L-16B

 

[SeanD]

Pretty much.

This is higher than average income and how your family and their friends (and their Facbeook social groups) see you!

View attachment 38606

That delicious meat is money, flight benefits and other goods and services.

Man, a breakfast doner sounds delicious!

I dont know but that gif is fascinating and has made me want a gyro.

 

[learhawkerbe400]

ahh, now I get the "flowing to mainline" jabs from @L-16B

I feel bad for @L-16B. He's so jelly of my big time mainline airline captain lifestyle. Poor guy.

 

[z987k]

I dont know but that gif is fascinating and has made me want a gyro.

I like gyros. But Doner Kababs are where it's at for sliced rotating meat.

 

[amorris311]

I feel bad for @L-16B. He's so jelly of my big time mainline airline captain lifestyle. Poor guy.

He's just jealous you get to brief everything and make PA's.

 

[Trip7]

My FO a couple weeks ago was a former Emirates A380 Captain. Their Captain upgrade process over there is very intense. Around a 7 month process of multiple line checks, classes, interviews etc. Then 8-10 days off a month and 90+ hours every month. Airplane and crews great and Dubai very safe. Apparently most folks are exhausted and actively looking to leave unless they're from a small nation.

 

[NovemberEcho]

Mo Money Mo Problems

Idk, I seemed to have a lot more problems and stress when I had to skip meals to pay rent, or not pay bills for 6 months to pay child support than I do now.

 

[Beep]

FWIW, I'm on track to make close to that this year as a mid level/junior MD88 captain flying on average 85 hours a month or so with one GS a month. Just some perspective on why bigger planes don't always pay more.

Hey, gimme a dollar. You can spare it!