Joe Blow Schmo wrote:CI, you're probably right in that there are no contracts offering the kind of money right off, however there are jobs out there that pay that much once you've put your time in. Nothing that you could get as a DEC though.
Your comment about DEC's doesn't make much sense, contracts are nearly all for experienced DE captains and do not have increasing wage scales for the term of a contract. They're typically for 3-5 years and then you negotiate another one. So I have to disagree with the statement that there are "jobs that pay that much once you've put your time in". In the jobs that DO have incremental pay increases, I have colleagues at the top of their respective pay scales, with nearly 20 years in the Gulf and in Asia and not one of them makes 350K. So I'm not sure what you're trying to say.
Been an expat the better part of a decade and have met guys (and a few women) in crazy niches of aviation and have met only a handful who make that much, and are on contracts long since abandoned. Think Cathay A Scalers, Saudi Aramco hired in the 1970's, a few others and of course the crazy outliers doing truly dangerous stuff. But for current contracts, unregistered waving about 350K is not representative of reality. I think it's safe to say hst has hit the nail on the head.
If one is talking about equivalent net pay to their home country, that's a different story. At a marginal tax rate of 45% (top rate varies between provinces 39% AB and 50% NS), you'd need a gross wage of roughly $335,000CAD to net the same as a typical Gulf senior captain. An honest wage comparison with wages outside Canada has to consider currency and tax implications.
It also has to consider other elements. North Shore, I also know two aircrew and several cabin crew flying for Royal Air Wing (the Dubai royal family). The pay is good but nowhere near 350K. And their phones, email, and all internet/social media is constantly monitored as part of the terms of employment. To reveal details of their passengers or destinations would be grounds for dismissal - or worse. Worth the money?
The good point has been raised that there is more to the equation than just dollars. But since the thread is about compensation, it would be nice if wasn't based on fantasy.
I’m still waiting for my white male privilege membership card. Must have gotten lost in the mail.