The Big Issue: What pilots get paid

According to Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman, the minimum award rate for pilots on larger commercial aircraft varies from $77,189 for a first officer on a Fokker 28 to $171,317 for a captain on a wide-bodied twin-deck aircraft such as the Airbus A380. In the real world, commercial pilots' take-home pay is far higher.

Starting base salary for a captain with a Middle Eastern airline is around US$180,000. On top of that comes a raft of top-ups, such as flight duty allowance for every flying hour, an hourly meal allowance during layovers, housing allowance and an education allowance for children. Contract completion bonuses, annual bonuses and annual pay increments are standard, most likely tax free.

Jobs with a major airline are the flight path to the big time, but it's a tough road. Minimum recruitment criteria for a Qantas pilot include a bachelor degree in aviation, science, maths or engineering and a pilot licence with at least 500 hours in command of a powered fixed-wing aircraft. Getting those hours usually requires working with a regional airline, or possibly in a remote location in the Top End or mining sites in the north of Western Australia, Queensland or Papua New Guinea.

Air travel is booming and Asian and Middle Eastern carriers are the most active recruiters, promising a fast track to wide-body commands for successful candidates. While times are good for pilots right now there are no guarantees. In the aftermath of 9/11, American Airlines shed more than 30,000 jobs, including many pilots.