Air N.Z. pilots want up to $l00,000 p.a.

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 10

Air N.Z. pilots want up to $l00,000 p.a.

NZPA Washington United States airlines have generally accepted the principle that pilots of jumbo jets should get much higher salaries than those who fly the smaller DCIO aircraft. Air New Zealand pilots want big pay rises for changing from DClOs to the new Boeing 747 s which will replace to DClOs on the airline's international routes. Air New Zealand has indicated it will resist the pilots’ demands, holding that the airline and the .economy cannot afford to match rates paid bv overseas carriers. The first 747 from Boeing’s Seattle factory arrived at Auckland at the week-end. The pilots have given notice that they want a tbp rate of about $lOO,OOO a year for a jumbo captain, we’ll up from the $70,000 they get for flying DClOs. Air New Zealand first officers want about $60,000 a year. According to aviation sources in Auckland, the Un-

ited States’ highest paid 747 captains are those employed by Western Airlines, and get about SUSI3O,OOO a year. Western's 747 first officers get $U591,128 annually. In contrast, Western pilots who fly DClOs get SUSI3,OOO to $120,000, depending on the model, and first officers get $79,000 to $83,200. The domestic airline, Braniff, pays its top 747 captains $114,600 a year, and first officers, $78,000. Continental Airlines pays its DCIO captains $104,500 to $108,500. Because Boeing, maker of the 747, has outstripped the DCIO manufacturer, McDon-

nell Douglas, in recent years, the big American airlines now employ more than 2000 747 pilots, more than double the number flying DClOs. Each airline negotiates its own-contract with its pilots. “The 747 pilots do generally make more money than those flying DClOs,” said an official of the Air Line Pilots’ Association. “This is because of a recognised formula based on the weight and speed of an aircraft. The 747 is heavier and faster than the DCIO.” The official said pilots also tried to tie their pay increases to productivity: 747 s had ore seats than DClOs.