Regional Pay

[ManualDXer]

Do you think regionals will ever get a fair cost of living adjustment? Or will working at the regionals forever be seen as “minor leagues” or “stepping stone” employers? Could really go a long way as far as talent retention to just pay 60-70k starting with top out around 80-90k. But I guess some would argue the never ending revolving door of new trainees is the cheaper route to go.

 

[SF2024]

Do you think regionals will ever get a fair cost of living adjustment? Or will working at the regionals forever be seen as “minor leagues” or “stepping stone” employers? Could really go a long way as far as talent retention to just pay 60-70k starting with top out around 80-90k. But I guess some would argue the never ending revolving door of new trainees is the cheaper route to go.

No. When I was at Mesa from 2015-2018, we brought up to management that if we got paid around $50,000 starting and top out around $70,000, most of us would stay. A lot of us love Phoenix. However management wasn't remotely interested. I was 50/53 on the dispatch seniority list when I was hired. When I left in 2018, I was number 10. I started at $15.00/hr, when I left three years later I was at $15.50/hr. It's better now but not significantly. Just do your time and move on.

 

[0nus382]

In short: no.

Management uses the stepping stone argument in labor negotiations, and union leadership seems to agree (if they care at all). The constant churn also works to management’s benefit, as no one new thinks “Yes, this is my career chair for the next 30 years.” and is willing to put up the effort to fight for a substantial pay raise.

Buc-ee’s is right on the heels of (or surpassing) the starting pay for most regionals, and that’s without any training or certifications. But people put up with that, because the carrot of “maybe one day you’ll make it to the coveted major!” is too good to resist.

Edit to add: It all makes a lot more sense when you realize the majors really like selling credit cards more than they like flying airplanes and having reliable operations.

 

[Spook Johnson]

No. When I was at Mesa from 2015-2018, we brought up to management that if we got paid around $50,000 starting and top out around $70,000, most of us would stay. A lot of us love Phoenix. However management wasn't remotely interested. I was 50/53 on the dispatch seniority list when I was hired. When I left in 2018, I was number 10. I started at $15.00/hr, when I left three years later I was at $15.50/hr. It's better now but not significantly. Just do your time and move on.

Funny thing at my regional is most of the people are from here and have no desire to leave

 

[ZapBrannigan]

I made $13,000 my first year at my first regional in 1996. And that was after paying $10,000 for the training in their airplane.

I'd say their cost of living adjustment has been applied to dramatic effect, especially during the last decade or so.

 

[manniax]

I made $13,000 my first year at my first regional in 1996. And that was after paying $10,000 for the training in their airplane.

I'd say their cost of living adjustment has been applied to dramatic effect, especially during the last decade or so.

Maybe for pilots. Not for dispatchers.

 

[bbmikej]

Edit to add: It all makes a lot more sense when you realize the majors really like selling credit cards more than they like flying airplanes and having reliable operations.

Technically, the flying portion of an airline loses money. The credit card/frequent flyer program is where the money is at. During covid, when they were all putting their rewards programs up for collateral, they were valued at more than the total of the airlines (flying + credit card). Not saying the valuations are correct, but that's what happened.