Pay and Benefits
Pilots at most commercial airlines in the United States and Canada are unionized. This means that each pilot group negotiates the pay, work rules, and benefits for its members. As there is no cookie-cutter approach to collective bargaining, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is working to strengthen collaboration among ALPA and non-ALPA pilot groups and develop favorable bargaining patterns across pilot group lines. Every pilot group has its own set of contract goals. Prior to bargaining, each pilot group typically conducts a comprehensive analysis of the environment then establishes the goals, objectives, and initiatives of the collective group.
Take a look at the charts below that show salary estimates and bonuses for first-year pilots at regional carriers and pay rates for major U.S. and cargo carriers. Current career-progression models follow.
Regional Carriers First-Year F/O Salary Estimates and Bonuses
Note: Information is current as of March 2020 and is subject to change. Prepared by ALPA Economic and Financial Analysis Dept.
Major U.S. Carriers First-Year F/O Pay Rates
Note: Information is current as of March 2020 and is subject to change. Prepared by ALPA Economic and Financial Analysis Dept.
Cargo Carriers First-Year F/O Pay Rates
Note: Information is current as of March 2020 and is subject to change. Prepared by ALPA Economic and Financial Analysis Dept.
Regional Carriers First-Year F/O Bonus Breakdown
| Airline | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Air Wisconsin | $5,000 sign-on bonus $26,000 bonus paid at complete of IOE $8,000 type rating bonus $30,000 Qualified Part 121 Bonus ($10,000 paid after IOE and $20,000 paid after year 1) $18,000 Retention bonus after first anniversary |
| CommutAir | $22,100 sign-on bonus |
| Endeavor | $10,000 training completion bonus |
| Envoy | $10,000 sign-on bonus $8,000 bonus first day of year 2 |
| ExpressJet (includes ASA) | $22,000 sign-on bonus $5,000 type rating bonus Annual override up to $10,000 |
| GoJet | $26,000 new hire bonus $15,000 bonus first day of year 2 $10,000 bonus first day of year 3 |
| Horizon Air | $20,000-$25,000 sign-on bonus for Q400 $10,000-$15,000 sign-on bonus for E175 |
| Mesa | $22,500 paid after training $5,000 for pilots who hold eligible type rating with 500 hours of part 121 flight time $20,000 bonus first day of year 3 if not eligible to upgrade |
| Piedmont | $10,000 sign-on bonus $8,000 bonus first day of year 2 |
| PSA | $10,000 sign-on bonus $8,000 bonus first day of year 2 |
| Republic | Up to $17,500 sign-on bonus |
| Silver Airways | $12,000 pilot hiring bonus |
| SkyWest | $7,500 pilots with current turbojet type rating and qualified military pilots |
updated March 2020
Regional Carriers Career-Progression Opportunities
| Airline | Program Type | Program Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Air Wisconsin | United Aviate |
Conditional job offer if successful in selection process. |
| CommutAir |
United Aviate | Conditional job offer if successful in selection process. |
| Endeavor | Delta Guaranteed Interview (DGI) |
After meeting all criteria, a pilot will be eligible for an interview at Delta. |
| Envoy | Flow |
Various flow opportunities to AA based on DOH criteria for pilots hired prior to October 2011. Upon completion of previous flow opportunities: If in a given month the total number of new pilot positions at American are 57 or less, 35% of new pilot positions shall be Envoy pilots. If greater than 57 then Envoy shall not be obligated to release more than 20 pilots. |
| ExpressJet (includes ASA) | United Aviate |
Conditional job offer if successful in selection process. JetBlue – Meet time and interview requirements, no specific numbers known. |
| Horizon Air | Career Path |
Pilot Pathways – At Horizon interview, meet and interview with Alaska, meet continued performance review criteria – flow upon open opportunity. |
| Mesa | United Aviate |
Conditional job offer if successful in selection process. |
| Piedmont | Flow |
Lesser of 25% of new pilot positions or 3 new pilot positions per each month American is hiring. No interview required. Pilots on the seniority list prior to the amendable date are eligible. |
| PSA | Flow |
Lesser of 25% of new pilot positions or 3 new pilot positions per each month American is hiring. No interview required. Pilots on the seniority list prior to the amendable date are eligible. |
| Silver Airways | Career Path |
Path to Frontier after accumulating 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) time. |
