Be advised; most of HAA are old-timers and are former military retirees.  They're NOT on this forum, nor do they care about your pay woes trying to survive with a family in current economic times.

They will not "vote with their feet" or do anything on your behalf (most can care less about AMC's union; and yes, your union dues are being wasted every pay period).

All employers are going to increase wages a little due to the supposed "shortage" and to just barely appease you (5-10% raise... yay!).  Trust me, it won't be much. 

For those of you that jumped to another employer and got better wages recently (and probably a sign-on bonus or "stipend") - good for you.  Just know that that "stipend" is typically only for a year... 5 max (or you're at a sucky base and you've settled on commuting and getting that pay long-term, but you've made your choice; good luck with that kind of life).

I recommend you jump ship to ANY better job.  The helicopter world will take you back (even if you're uncurrent in an aircraft) after they've come to their senses.  Unless there's a mass exodus there WILL NOT BE ANY INDUSTRY CHANGE.

Since we have no unity in our community and poor union negotiating capability (which blows my mind), the ONLY option we all have is to stop complaining and vote with our feet.

This industry can EASILY make ends meet by paying OT to fill slots.  Everyone's chomping at the bit for the OT because the pay sucks (or they live close to base and an occasional workover is easy to do)  It's WAY cheaper than giving everyone a raise.  

STOP WAITING.  The world is ripe with opportunities now... grab a good one and come back later when the pay is actually better.

Left the rotor world for the fixed wing wide bodies. More pay, better benefits. Never coming back! I'll work at Lowe's before I fly HEMS again. 

you mean to tell us flying a large airliner pays more than EMS? thanks for the info.

Obvious? Thanks for stating the obvious.

The fantasy of a fair raise in HEMS is comical. 5 year regional captains making more than SPIFR captains. Been on both sides of the fence , grass is greener above FL180! 

5-8 years ago was the bubble for the airlines. Pay still sucks for the first 5 years and then all the resetting and grouping with seniority as you move up sucks. Now regionals are treated like Uber battered stepchildren and you have no professional courtesy or respect in the airlines. Standards are waaaaaay down and reliance on automation is key. You are absolutely nothing but a number in the airlines. Good for some, not for others.

lower standard of living and quality a life that I would caution anyone about, because it's your choice in the end.

I like how the OP said military pilots are the problem and no one on here said anything.

Well I guess the truth hurts. Depressed wages, back culture all come from Army Pilots. For the most part, the other services are much more professional.

We used to get real quality officers and pilots from the armed services, but today... that is far from true.

We used to get highly experienced pilots who did not just fly sims, and require 19 people to everything from wash their aircraft to doing their log books for them.

And yes 2000-3000 hrs is not highly experienced.  Look to your brothers from Nam, flew power limited aircraft with real skills.

Sorry if the truth hurts, but the major problem in HAA and the industry are miltards, and RobbieRanhers.

If you don't know who that is...it's you

How retarded a pilot mist be with military experience and robbi experience. Double whammy, mind blower dude. 

By the choices that we have made and will make.  It's that simple.  Accept the ramifications of those choices, and don't be a d*uche and blame others.  Those that chose not to go into the military and wanted to be a civilian helicopter pilot, great.  Those that did the opposite, great.  But, we are human, so, we'll b*tch about anything and everything.  

News flash! It did not happen over night.

Now people are trying to make up for lost time.

By the way thanks for making my point that this industry is run be people who can't even look at something simple and gain some info from  it.

Just in."In addition to its programs for college students and recent graduates, Walmart offers a 12-week private fleet development program, where new truck drivers can earn a starting salary range of $95,000 to $110,000 for their first year." So tell me again what is the starting wage at Metro, AMC, and others? 

exception - the pay will never be any better.