Starting pay for airline pilots has been low for quite some time. I was an aviation student at the beginning of this decade and the starting compensation for pilots was about 19-20k.

Chris, Most pilots who fly for the majors start out flying for express carriers. You've got to really want to fly to go that route. They fly very long hours under less than stellar conditions, for a little money. I know for a fact that a lot of commuter pilots make less than I do as a baggage handler. Most of them brown bag their lunches because they are not provided crew meals or per diem like their big brothers. The brass ring is to hold on long enough to get hired by a major airline. The problem now is most airlines are shrinking their fleets. Fewer airplanes, fewer pilots. It's been the normal cycle for the 30 years I've been in the airline industry. It used to be a great job. Now, it's just a way to pay the bills.

But once the recession in America is over, surely these things will pick back up and airlines will start increasing their fleets again? This recession cannot go on forever and sometime soon, they are going to want to get more pilots back in as they open their old routes. BTW, does anyone know what Qantas pilots earn when starting off?

But once the recession in America is over, surely these things will pick back up and airlines will start increasing their fleets again?

I'd like to think so, but a lot will depend on consolidation within the industry. A lot of the airline CEO's, (especially mine) are pushing further consolidation big time. If there are more mergers, there will be even fewer available seats for up and coming pilots. Great for the shareholders and executives, not so much for the employees. I'm not trying to burst your bubble, just giving you an insiders outlook. Learn to fly because you love flying. If you can make a career of it even better.

So basically they are not wanting any new pilots in the job, they just want to use the pilots they have used for years?

Pilots positions are for the most part based on seniority. The more time you have with the company, the more secure your job is. That being said, you are still required to pass all of your checkrides and medicals. Remember, one of those pilots that "they've been using for years" landed his disabled Airbus in the Hudson river without loss of life. Could a young pilot have done the same? Possibly, but I'll take my chances with the grey haired guy. :(P.S. Chris, I noticed that you're in Australia. What I'm telling you is based on my experience working for a major airline in the United States. The situation may be completely different in your country. As I said, fly because you love it.

And do you know how long it takes to reach that level of pay? 20+ years, usually.Entry-level airline pilots earn ~$20k per year. You can make that much money at McDonald's.

Reality can be rude sometimes

Very wierd, because my uncle flies for qantas long haul and earns $250,000AUD + per year!EDIT: After some research, I have concluded that an airline pilot is the 4th highest payed job in the USA earning an average of $145,000USD, with the lowest being around $100,000USD and the highest being $210,000USD. These are stats from the 2008/2009 Bureau of Labour statistics.

Yea, those stats are extremely skewed. If you adjusted all jobs with 20+ years of experience...airline pilots would be toward the end. Personally, as a pharmacists I'll be making 100k+ straight out of school...and I would imagine I would have a possibility of making more then 145k in 20 years...Combine that with the chances of being a senior captain with an airline...well you get the point.

Entry-level airline pilots earn ~$20k per year. You can make that much money at McDonald's.

Far less actually, if flying for the regionals. I have a few friends from college flying the regionals. It's a great job if you are single and love to fly. lol

if you are single and love to fly. lol

That's me :(