I am sorry to ask this question that might be bothering to you, but why do the pilots, especially captains receive very high pay? I am aspiring to become a pilot for Malaysia Airlines and I need the answer to this question.
I am quite scared when I recently found out that pilots, especially captains in Malaysia Airlines can earn up to RM 30,000 per month. Now, that is quite a large sum of money for local Malaysians like me where the sum of my parent's salary doesn't even reach RM 5000 and I have always wanted to earn that much.
Does a pilot, especially a captain in Malaysia really earn that large salary?
Why do pilots receive high pay and what is the rationale behind the high pay?
What is the reason for the high pay? Is it that the job is too prolific or just because you are risking your life?
I hope I will receive an honest and just reply.
Thank you very much.
From,
Satia Silan,
An aspiring pilot who will be joining Malaysia Airlines in few years time.
(I am 16 right now)
The basic pay of a captain varies according to his seniority and to some, on airplane types. On top of that, he gets variable allowances and therefore his gross income is generally not constant monthly.
Let's make a comparison of the gross salary (including allowances) of a captain from a few selected global airlines below. They are estimates only. You can go to the Salary Page of the listed airlines in this site to view the exact details of more airplane types, seniority and miscellaneous allowances.
Airlines (Plane Types)
Region
Average Gross Monthly Salary
British Airways (B747/B777)
Europe
RM 55,000.00 - 60,000.00
Cathay Pacific Airways (B747/B777)
Asia
RM 55,000.00 - 60,000.00
Emirates Airlines (A380/B747/B777)
Middle East
RM 45,000.00 - 55,000.00
Malaysia Airlines (B747/B777)
Asia
RM 30,000.00 - 35,000.00
Qantas (B747)
Australia
RM 55,000.00 - 60,000.00
Singapore Airlines (A380/B747/B777)
Asia
RM 50,000.00 - 55,000.00
Delta Airlines (B777)
USA
RM 50,000.00 - 55,000.00
So as you can see, the salary of a captain in Malaysia Airlines is not that high after all.
I am not sure what you meant by "the job being too prolific or risky". But, a captain does shoulder a very high responsibility. As my doctor friend used to say, a surgeon's mistake can only cost the life of a patient whereas a pilot's error can have very gross consequences. This was seen from the captain's mistake in the Tenerife accident in 1977 when a KLM Boeing 747 crashed into another Pan Am Boeing 747 during the take off. In the crash, 583 lives were lost (see video below). (For the full video, go to Air Crash Investigation -"Worst Plane Crash" here).
I understand Indonesian Airlines have made a request to the DGCA to allow the hiring of expat pilots. As of June 2009, do you know if such request has been granted? Can you tell us what is the status of hiring of expats in Indonesia?
Thanks Capt Antonio
Capt Antonio ,
27 Jun, 2009
+0
airlines
Hi captain lim If you dont mind me asking truthfully if you could work with any airline in the world what airline would u say is the better airline and what is the difference between being a captain and co piolet except for yes the captain needs to take off and land but is there any other difference
thanks im thinking to work as a co piolet or captain which one is better lol elisha
elisha ,
24 Apr, 2010
-2
im a captain
its very enjoyable being a captain
captain arran kennedy ,
04 Mar, 2012
+0
Lowcost airline means lowcost staff with low salary?
Dear Captain Lim,
We as malaysian have been taught that working with Malaysia Airlines means WOW,as airlines pay higher salary than non-airliners. But now that Air Asia exist as a low-cost airline,is they earn "low-cost" too? How bout AirAsia captains? What is the average pay for Captain in AirAsia?
