ACTUALLY - Thanks AEL for having the highest starting pay in HAA  

AEL is a RANGE of $82-93 based on experience.  They have a very clear matrix to adjust pay based on TT and years of HAA.  Only way you'll sit at $82-84 is if you're truly low time and new to the industry.  If you're jumping from another HAA carrier then you'll be making $86 or more.

AEL then gives a sign-on bonus ($20K), then $10K retention bonus each year for next 3 years.  Everything else, company-wise, is similar (pay, benefits, training, rules, quality of equipment/base/life).  

That beats AMC's FLAT $86 by a long shot.

At least AEL's fleet is STANDARDIZED.  There are still TONS of AMC birds that don't have an autopilot, G500s, or a hangar right by the aircraft to put the bird in really quick for weather, etc.  Many still have to crank up and fly or wheel/tug it over somewhere; with all AEL bases, it's a heliporter lift 50-80 feet straight into a standalone hangar.