What's An Airline Pilot Paid?

There were over 6,000 new pilot hirings last year.  Now is THE time to train, as hiring is really heating up.  AIR, Inc. has reported they estimate 8,000 new hirings this year, which is TWICE the 2003 level.  If you're interested in excellent flight training and value-pricing, call Phoenix East Aviation, Daytona Beach, FL.  First rate training, fabulous beaches and lifestyle! In the U.S. call 1-800-868-4359. Worldwide call 386-258-0703.  Check out their web site: www.pea.com.

Check out these salaries:

American Airlines: 1st yr F/O: $31,800 and 10th yr Captain $123,420

Delta Airlines: 1st yr F/O: $50,400 and 10th yr Captain $204,636

UPS: 1st yr F/O: $26,004 and 10th yr Captain $200,508

ATA: 1st yr F/O: $36,000 and 10th yr Captain $136,632

Airborne Express: 1st yr F/O $28,536 and 10th yr Captain $136,632

Plus many other benefits like lots of time off, flexibility of scheduling, free travel for your family and comfortable retirement. Hiring is back to pre-9/11 levels for many airlines, such as America West and Southwest.  Delta, Continental and Northwest have recalled their furloughed pilots.  Major cargo companies, such as ASTAR Air Cargo and FedEx are also currently hiring.

 

Lion Airlines Buys 60 Jets

More great news for those of us whose goal is a career as an international airline pilot: The Asia aviation market continues to grow very rapidly.  Lion Mentari Airlines, the Indonesian low-cost carrier is buying 60 Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 aircraft.  The airline's strategy is to become a major player in Southeast Asia's regional, budget-priced airline industry.  This is an important venture for Indonesia.  The  cost of these new planes is a whopping U.S. $3.9 billion, or approximately  U.S. $65 million per plane. Airbus and BAE Systems PLC lost the deal; Lion already flies several Boeing models and preferred a more unified fleet for efficiency and cost-savings. 

Why is this significant? It's the first large order for new jets from Indonesia since the country's late- 1990's financial crisis and indicates its desire to be a major international carrier.  Closely-held Lion Air has grown rapidly since its 2000 inception, when Indonesia deregulated its airline industry.  Lion is now the 2nd largest carrier in the country in terms of passengers carried, after Garuda Indonesia.

Lion serves 17 destinations in Indonesia plus Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This order adds to Lions current fleet of 34 planes, though some of these new planes will most certainly replace aging existing jets, which may then be transferred to Lion's aircraft-leasing business in Singapore.