Why do pilots get paid so when they risk the following?

Question

Life
Family
money for training they should get paid 20k a month thats what they deserve to get for all the hard work and commitment they have made

Answer 1

You all live in a fantasy world if you think pilots are pulling down 160k per year. The average E-1 private in the US Army makes about $3500 MORE than I do as a First Officer.

We are dramatically underpaid and overworked. Many people point to our 80 hour work month, completely forgetting that we are only paid for time spent flying. Not time spent loading and unloading, waiting on delays, commuting to and from hotels, waiting in the breakroom between legs, etc. My next work schedule which begins in about a week has me listed at 337.2 hours of time away from home for a month. How much is that worth?

At my current rate of $19.06/hour and the 82 hours i'm "flying" I will make$1562.92 next month. And over my month that equals $4.63 per hour. Just over half of the new minimum wage in the state of California.

Answer 2

The risk of being a pilot is actually very low. The problem is, when an incident does occur, the mortality rate is very high. There are thousands of flights every day, and few plane crashes per year. Not a bad statistic, when you consider all the car accidents you see.

In our society, people are paid based upon need. If a pilot was paid more, plane tickets would cost more, and then no one would fly (except the few that can afford their own plane and pilot).

There are risks associated with all jobs - if you don't think you're paid well enough - find a new career. It's sad to see - especially with talk of "athletes making millions" - but remember, only the top 0.1% of athletes in that field make that money. Amateur athletes and lower-level pro athletes make nowhere near that amount of money - you just don't hear about them as much ;)

Answer 3

I agree that pilots are significantly underpaid, considering the skill required to do the job and how many lives are in their hands every day.

Compounding the problem is the fact that most air carriers have mismanaged their money so badly that they continue to cut flight crews' salary and benefits.

I earned my private license a few years ago with the goal of being a commercial pilot. But, since the 2001 industry downturn, I reluctantly admitted to myself that I can't afford to pay for the extensive training that would get me a shot at an inadequate salary.

My respect goes out to the career pilots who do it for the love of the job, no matter what the financial costs.

Answer 4

Well an even greater comment could be made up our Troops, they risk a lot more than a pilot does you know, and get paid may 1/10 of what a pilot does!

Answer 5

Yeah, I think pilots should be paid same as a top football player.

Answer 6

They have a high level of skill and a great deal of responsibility. But they do get paid too much. I think $160,000/year for amax of 80 hours per month is too much.

The mortality level for police or firemen are higher and they get paid a hell of a lot less.

Answer 7

pilots r da best n da worst ....they can fly u away to a dreamland or just crash ur dreams in a moment...but yeah they shud be paid a huge amount of money

Answer 8

because thats what there boss said they would make and they agreed to it, yes i agree they should get more, but they knew what they were getting into so thats not my job to worry about them

Answer 9

world is upside down...if your do more you get less..like this...if you sit ideal like president of something...you get most...so enjoy your work not the pay.