The Pilot Liberator

One of my very favorites! Heads up. #HKG #BA #avgeek

@thepointsguy Red Roof DFW and the La Quinta DTW

What is the worst airport hotel in the U.S.? 🤔

JetBlue updated guidance for Q1 this morning. Good news: demand was strong. Bad news: fuel prices are forecast to jump about a third from previous estimates.

The world would be better off with more 757.

@preston_holland One-off Private operators already pay 2X of what I pay for Jet A. FBO prices are insane. 300-500% of what I pay for handling etc too. They won’t flinch. If you can afford to own/operate your own jet - chances are fuel price is irrelevant.

It's a return of the "Southern Cross Route" for traffic between Australia/NZ to Europe. Air New Zealand long flew the Southern Cross Route from Auckland to London and Frankfurt via LAX, here in 1996.

RETRO: Two TWA Queens on the ramp 📸: Ted Quackenbush #twa #boeing #avgeek

Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L1011-1 N311EA MIA/KMIA Miami Intl Airport December 1980 Photo credit Bob Garrard #AvGeek #Aviation #Airlines #AvGeeks #Lockheed #L1011 #TriStar #EAL #EasternAirlines #MIA #Miami @iflymia 🇺🇸

Major US Airline Pilot Retirement Values Continue to Climb Averaging over $3 million for Passenger and Cargo Airlines after 30 Years. The top airline pilot retirement value at 30 years of service is at UPS, which has both a 30% defined benefit program and a 12% defined contribution plan that yields almost $5 Million! The top passenger airline retirement value is found at Southwest, at $4.4 Million, thanks to their new Market-Based Cash Balance, which increased to 2% this year, plus an 18% Defined Contribution Plan. This is a total of 20% in tax-sheltered 100% company-paid retirement contributions! Most Cash Balance Plans receive only 401 (k) overflow contributions, but at Southwest, it is an additional 2%. The lowest pilot retirement values are at Atlas for the cargo operators and Allegiant on the passenger side, with $2.2 Millions at Atlas and $1.8 Million at Allegiant. Newer airlines typically have lower pay, benefits, and retirement values that improve over time. These airlines are also unique in offering the opportunity to be home most nights at Allegiant and to be home-based at Atlas. Assumptions: 11 Years to Captain Wide-body Captain in about 25 years if available Current fleet mix Current pay rates in 2026 - no future increases No extra flying at 100% No premium flying at 150% to 200% 5% retirement fund growth on company-paid retirement. The average is about 8% No profit sharing – Averages 5.5% for those who have it & adds $500K to a 30-year career value Add: Future pay raises, which have averaged 4.2% over the past 18 Years Average Flying: 15 days per month, ranging from 10 to 20 Average Hours at each airline – 71 to 91 hours varies by airline, averages 84 Hours/Month 2026 is looking like the 3rd best year in history, with over 7,500 new jobs at the Majors. Great time to be or become an airline pilot! Please like, repost, comment, tag, and share this information. If you have been injured or experienced a career delay, I can put a number on your career loss. If I can help you improve your resume and application, prepare for an interview, or make a difficult career decision, give me a call, text, email, or visit KitDarby.com. 877-334-2939.

Since we’re doing this… I’d like to see the CEO of United eat any first class meal to its entirety The CEO of American fly middle seat in the back of a 737 The CEO of Delta make a 35 minute layover in ATL from the back of the plane

It would be too difficult to explain the pay of an airline pilot. It varies significantly & there are various contractual tricks to increase your pay. I’m happy w/ my compensation. Nevertheless, he has some good advice: Don’t do it for the money. You’ll be miserable.

@envoyaircareers Was that ‘Golden Age’ the years before your company (and its legal representation) sued former pilots and FA’s for leaving the company?

Fasten your seatbelts. We’re traveling back to the golden age of aviation for National Retro Day!📼⏳🕰️

Trans World Airlines October 27, 1974 route map credit Air Transport Archive #AvGeek @FlyTransWorld @FlyTWA #TWA

Once Upon a Time in Komaki.

In 2012 I was applying to all the big US majors. I had over 13,000 hours, 5 type ratings and 7 years in the left seat of an MD-80. Couldn’t get an interview. In 2020 United was hiring 23 year olds with 2000 hours total time and 6 months in the right seat of an RJ into the left seat of a 737. There are some inexperienced pilots flying at the Majors - but that’s because of industry cycles - not DEI.

Airplane! (1980) is one of those comedies where the joke density is so insane you’re always missing something. Straight-faced acting, nonsense treated like gospel, and background gags doing half the work. Rewatchable forever.

The helicopter was invented for tasks like this 😆

Not a good start for anyone flying through @ATLairport today #cancelled

Top Pilot Pay Exceeds $463/Yr in 2026 at Three Major Airlines - AA, DAL, UAL! Allegiant is the lowest by far, and American, Delta, FedEx, Southwest, United, and UPS lead the pack. Average Annual Pay: Start at $100K First Officer $200K in 4 years First Officer $320K 10 Year Captain $372K Max Captain Max Starting $147K at Southwest Max Captain $481K at Delta Assumptions: 11 Years to Captain Wide-body Captain in about 25 years if available Average Hours at each airline Current fleet mix Current pay rates in 2026 - no future increases No extra flying at 100% No premium flying at 150% to 200% No profit sharing – Averages 5.5% for those who have it and adds $500K to career value Add: Future pay raises, which average 4.2% over the past 18 Years 16% to 20% - retirement contributions, 100% company paid 15% non-retirement benefits – medical, dental, life, vision insurance + travel Average Flying: 15 days per month, ranging from 10 to 20 70-91 hours per month – varies by airline Great time to be or become an airline pilot Please like, repost, comment, and share this information. If you have been injured or experienced a delay in your career, I can put a number on your loss. If I can help you improve your resume and application, prepare for an interview, or make a difficult decision, give me a call, text, email, or visit KitDarby.com. 877-334-2939.