Your first T4 over $100k was when you had....

[M. Essaie]

....how many years as a pilot and how many flying hours? I just thought it might be interesting to see the number of paths towards what most would consider some kind of career benchmark.

[ahramin]

4 years from when I started flying for a living full time but I did a couple summers before that. 3000 hours.

[M. Essaie]

...for those who respond, perhaps you could describe the path (bush/airline/corporate/rotary, etc)....

[mmm..bacon]

13 years in, with about 4k hrs.

[Jack Klumpus]

You will soon notice, that there are many different types that will lead to 6 figures. What I suggest, as you embrace is journey, chose the path that will offer you the best life style.

As for my experience.

Instructor, CFI/CP
single pilot multi/IFR (bush)
704 (F/O & Capt)
705 F/O & Capt.

6 figures on T4 year #7

[Liquid Charlie]

Need more parameters -- especially a starting date -- I made $34 grand in 1971 and that was major money for canada back then and we all drooled over Bradley drivers making $60 thousand in YRB so pick a base year since in 1971 $34 grand was more than $100 grand in today's dollar -- also what about seasonal guys -- realistically we can't go back more than about 15 years --

[rookieatc]

Year one of ATC

[Jack Klumpus]

....how many years as a pilot and how many flying hours? I just thought it might be interesting to see the number of paths towards what most would consider some kind of career benchmark.

Year one of ATC

The assessment sessions must be getting easier and easier these days at NAVCAN.

[Big Pistons Forever]

27 years in and I have yet to see a T 4 with over 100 K for a flying job, although I have come close on a few years.

[jadedash]

2.5 yrs student, -$55,0000 3 yrs Fuelin ... y $100,000

[rookieatc]

....how many years as a pilot and how many flying hours? I just thought it might be interesting to see the number of paths towards what most would consider some kind of career benchmark.

Year one of ATC

The assessment sessions must be getting easier and easier these days at NAVCAN.

HAHA touché. You've got no idea

[Jack Klumpus]

Actually I have some idea. I worked YYZ tower over 10 years ago. I was in my late teens and working on my flying licence. I since then switched to the dark side.

As I understand, many things have changed in that short period of time.

[x15]

Got my licence August 2009. First job December 09.

Dec 09 - Jun 10 - FO king air 200 -32k
Jun 10 - July 11 - Navajo Capt - 65k (1300 TT)
Aug 11 - Apr 13 - Challenger FO - 60k (1900 TT)
May 13 - Present - Challenger 100+ (2400 TT)

2700 TT
Corporate

[clearmyside]

Flight training took a long time 97-2000: dispatch, washing planes, occasional vfr charter: 14-20K
-2001: full time Navajo in northern Ontario: 24K
-2002-2005: Caravan and King Air Cpt: 36 beginning - 65K end
-2005-6: small jet: 36K
-2006-8: F/O 737NG: First year 95K (with all extras), second year approx 110K

so first time over 100k at around 5500 hours, around 10 years from start

-2008-10: Cpt Lear60XR: USD 145 tax free
-2010-2014: Cpt Challenger 605: started at USD120K tax free (one month on-one month off rotation (never worked out that way)) to 240K taxed
-2014: Cpt G450 (upgrading to G550) USD 240K plus extras (taxed)

went to college at the same time as flight school (not aviation program). tons of students loans, finally paid in year 2 of 737 gig.

sounds like a lot of dough, but savings still seem low

[sstaurus]

Got my licence August 2009. First job December 09.

Dec 09 - Jun 10 - FO king air 200 -32k
Jun 10 - July 11 - Navajo Capt - 65k (1300 TT)
Aug 11 - Apr 13 - Challenger FO - 60k (1900 TT)
May 13 - Present - Challenger 100+ (2400 TT)

2700 TT
Corporate

Wow. Right place, right time... That's quick.

[Jack In The Box]

who cares? I used to make 60 k as a metro captain and now make 25k at a US regional. But I'll tell you what, despite the bad pay and marginal benefits, I have never enjoyed the quality of my life, work, and people I am around so much as I do now.

Money is just a thing, at the end of the day. Yet people have literally dug themselves an early grave over it....

[jet a1]

Working the ramp up north.... Married a nurse

[B-rad]

who cares? I used to make 60 k as a metro captain and now make 25k at a US regional. But I'll tell you what, despite the bad pay and marginal benefits, I have never enjoyed the quality of my life, work, and people I am around so much as I do now.

Money is just a thing, at the end of the day. Yet people have literally dug themselves an early grave over it....

Glad you're enjoying the quality of life so much. How much lower in pay could you go and still enjoy that quality of life?
Can I have some of your money then since you don't care about it much?

[complexintentions]

Never cracked 100K on a T4 in Canada. So I decided to go overseas and do away with T4's and taxes, period. I don't miss either.

Yes, money is just a thing. A thing you trade your time for. It's fine to dismiss the importance of money, but one would have to be very young to place such a low value on time. That perspective will change, I promise.

[niss]

Money is just a thing, at the end of the day. Yet people have literally dug themselves an early grave over it....

Yep, some people have dug that grave with the nose of an airplane, because they were not paid enough money to be adequately rested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colgan_Air_Flight_3407

[AirFrame]

Year one of ATC

Wow. Is that typical? If so, it would be financially attractive to quit my current job and go to NavCan.

[sstaurus]

who cares? I used to make 60 k as a metro captain and now make 25k at a US regional. But I'll tell you what, despite the bad pay and marginal benefits, I have never enjoyed the quality of my life, work, and people I am around so much as I do now.

Money is just a thing, at the end of the day. Yet people have literally dug themselves an early grave over it....

Sounds like someone's in denial. I couldn't find the original, but I believe it was Chris Rock who once said:

"Money might not buy happiness, but I do know one thing, poverty sure as sh*t don't buy happiness!

( I kid )

[iflyforpie]

There has never been a correlation between money and happiness. Those who are wealthy and happy were often poor and happy. Those who use money to try and buy happiness are often left disillusioned.

I've noticed that lots of those who make a ton of money are often slaves to their jobs... unwilling or unable to leave, bitter over tiny roll backs and changes that still leave them way better off than most people, resentful at the amount of tax the government takes, and regretting that they didn't focus more of their energies on doing what they wanted with the time they had when they were younger... instead of running headlong into the rat-race..... and finally, not even enjoying the job that they lusted over in their youth.

10 years in... still yet to see a T4 over 100K. Don't really want to either.....

[KenoraPilot]

12 years after I started flying, Corporate flying gig on a Jet in YYC.

[B-rad]

I've noticed that lots of those who make a ton of money are often slaves to their jobs... unwilling or unable to leave, bitter over tiny roll backs and changes that still leave them way better off than most people, resentful at the amount of tax the government takes, and regretting that they didn't focus more of their energies on doing what they wanted with the time they had when they were younger... instead of running headlong into the rat-race..... and finally, not even enjoying the job that they lusted over in their youth.

Ya I've noticed these people you speak of too. They are often caring for families, putting themselves second to their children, providing a home and stability for loved ones, helping their elders with health issues, and saving for the future so their next generation doesn't have to struggle. While that money isn't buying them happiness, it's buying their loved ones happiness that you don't see, it's paying bills that you don't see, it's fighting struggles that you don't see, and all that you do see is that they are working for reasons you don't know.

I like your connection tho that people who are rich and happy were often poor and happy. It's a generalization but the money=happiness is too broad a topic to really have any one liner cover all. While I agree those people who are rich and happy could be poor any happy too, it's a matter of those who make the best of what they have but how could you not think they could be happier with a bit more. Enough to help others, enough to pay off their debts, and enough to secure a future for the days when they don't have to work.
I won't argue how much is enough for each individual but when Pilots accept poor pay for a high skills job, they are taking away from what others are worth, they are deciding how much is enough for others and expecting them to live and find happiness off the same wages and that isn't right.