Pilot reveals people will be 'shocked' when they find out how much money he makes

It's safe to say that the wallet of a US airline pilot needs its own carry-on allowance.

Pilot Garrett Ray has shared on his YouTube channel (flywithgarrett) just how much he makes flying planes out of New York’s airports.

The first officer surprisingly spends a lot of time away from base, and when he's in the cockpit, he's often not even flying the plane.

Garrett says 'deadheading' is when a pilot is on his way to his next job, and isn't having to operate flight controls.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, he explained how he prefers to fly on certain routes that provide him with a better paycheck.

Specifically, he likes travelling from JFK Airport in New York to Phoenix in Arizona and back, paired with a 24 hour layover in Phoenix.

Pilot Garrett Ray opened up about the amount he makes flying out of New York’s airports (YouTube/flywithgarrett)

The route allows him to 'maximise my time at home' and 'maximise my pay when I'm away from home' by just 10 hours of flying and 40 hours away from home.

How much pilot Garrett Ray gets paid a month

“Today's trip I deadheaded from LGA (LaGuardia Airport) to DFW (Dallas Fort Worth International Airport) and then I operated DFW to LGA,” he said.

“I was paid $1,556 (£1,143) for just over seven hours, and my time away from base was just over nine hours.

“This is a phenomenal scenario. Yeah, I had to get up super early, but I’m back by 3pm.”

Viewers were shocked by Garrett's salary (YouTube/flywithgarrett)

In a month where he worked 80 hours as a first officer, he made around $17,109 (£12,563), but if he was a captain that would have gone up to $27,116 (£19,911) a month.

And if he was to get promoted to a captain, he would be getting a very decent pay rise of $338.95 (£249) an hour.

Honestly, I think I'm in the wrong career.

Viewers shocked by salary of a pilot

Aspiring pilots in the comments of his video, however, have praised his honesty and transparency.

One wrote: “The transparency and honesty is greatly appreciated. Finishing up my part 141 next semester and this is something great to look forward to!”

A second penned: “I’m going through my instrument rating right now and this kind of info is really inspirational. Thanks dude.”

While a former pilot was shocked to learn what they can make these days.

“Wow. As a 4 year FO at AAL in the 90’s, I was bringing in $31 per hour, with a 83 hour max. I didn’t earn $213 per hour until year 27, as 767 captain! Glad it’s better now, but be sure to save, as things in the airlines can go to hell fast!?” they said.

Another added: “I didn't realise just how well paid you all are! WOW!”