Military Pilots vs. Contract Pilots in the Sand Box

SRA_kbad

SRA_kbad

Scooter Trash!!!
Hey Guys,
My question to you military aviator's is this. What is the general consensus concerning American contract pilots working for uber amounts of money in Iraq and Afghanistan? Any animosity or feelings of, "This should be a job for a member of the Military."? Just curious because I'd rather not pursue a military contract job if the military member's (of whom I highly respect) don't support those civilian operations.
Thanks!
 
Civilian contractors and military personnel are so intertwined these days there would be no way we could function with out them.
 
If you compare more than the salary (total benefits) I think the military comes out on top by a large margin. There are several articles on this very topic in major publictions such as US News and the NY Times.
 
Propilot said:
If you compare more than the salary (total benefits) I think the military comes out on top by a large margin. There are several articles on this very topic in major publictions such as US News and the NY Times.
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How do you figure that "large margin"?

Currently more senior military pilots (O-4s and above, who have all ready been serving and flying for 10+ years) are staying in than leaving to go to the airlines. These are guys who have paychecks that add up to $70K or so, with "added benefits" (medical is the one most important) that take them to $90K-ish. Some of the Lt Cols who are nearing retirement are over $100K. Some guys who signed annual bonuses long ago might be getting $125K.

Most of the military contract flying jobs I've seen (DynCorp, Blackwater, I3, etc) that operate over in Iraq and Afghanistan pay 200K plus.

So, I'm just not seeing that margin. It certainly doesn't apply to anyone lower than Major flying for the military.
 
Hacker15e said:
How do you figure that "large margin"?

Currently more senior military pilots (O-4s and above, who have all ready been serving and flying for 10+ years) are staying in than leaving to go to the airlines. These are guys who have paychecks that add up to $70K or so, with "added benefits" (medical is the one most important) that take them to $90K-ish. Some of the Lt Cols who are nearing retirement are over $100K. Some guys who signed annual bonuses long ago might be getting $125K.

Most of the military contract flying jobs I've seen (DynCorp, Blackwater, I3, etc) that operate over in Iraq and Afghanistan pay 200K plus.

So, I'm just not seeing that margin. It certainly doesn't apply to anyone lower than Major flying for the military.
Click to expand...
Exactly, but L-3 which pays better than dyncorp is only about 120K/year with no benefits (medical).

Leaving the service going to almost any flying job is a pay cut when you look at the Bene's. I pay state tax for the first time in my life, as an O-4/O-5 almost 20K/year is tax free, and now I lay out almost $500/month for insurance.
 
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