Now is the perfect time to be a pilot!
Domestic and international travel was halted back in 2020 due to the pandemic, leading to millions of pilots getting their flight schedules trimmed. But now that the world is picking back up from where it left off, U.S. carriers are desperate to get their aviators back. And they believe that the best way to get entice them back into the business is with a change in the new contract. Pilots can now expect 14% salary raise and 8 weeks of maternity leave!
This is a tentative deal offered and approved by United Airlines, which makes them the first major U.S. carrier to reach such terms. They’ve also set the bar for the rest of the industry. It goes to show that pilots are definitely in demand nowadays, marking the renaissance of travel across the country.
The contract will be voted on by rank-and-file pilots in mid-July. Under the newly proposed deal, pilots can expect more than 14.5% pay increase within 18 months, according to Air Line Pilots Association, the organization that represents 14, 000 United pilots.
Back in 2020, the pay range was from $73,000 a year (for fresh first officers in the smallest aircraft) to $337,000 (for a wide-body captain). Experience and flight schedules play a huge role in the pay as well.
For the first time ever, maternity leave is also being offered in the new terms. This two-year agreement ensures that female pilots, which comprise of 7% of the United Airlines’ pilots, can expect up to eight weeks of paid maternity leave.
Thanks to the United Airlines, negotiations with other large U.S. carriers are being pursued. This includes American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Unions want to improve their quality of life, especially after the career freeze caused by the pandemic.
But rest assured –pilots aren’t the only ones getting benefits. It is said that contract negotiations are also in place for flight attendants and other work groups. This is because staffing at these major airlines has suffered tremendously in the pandemic. When millions of pilots were urged to take early retirement and leaves of absence, a hiring and training backlog was created. Regional carriers are particularly at a stand still due to pilots heading off to major ones which can cause problems for those wanting to fly to smaller cities. In conclusion, the travel industry was at its worst during the pandemic. But now that the world is slowly traveling again, we need our pilots back Now is the perfect time to get back to the skies