Just to be clear, when you say, "I will never expect to have the compensation that the legacies have". Are you talking about their "career value" factoring in their widebodies, or are you saying you're okay with flying similar gauge aircraft at a discount, ie Airbus to Airbus? Not trying to needle you, I'm honestly wondering about your point of view. How does Southwest's pay factor into your assessment?
SWA is the exception to the rule and that's why I would consider an in house union, even at a greater cost. I think it would be hard to see airbus to airbus comparison but it's all the other benefits that really add up and would only come by the subsidies provided by a regional. Closer expectations could be comparing JB to Airtran. They had ALPA. Why weren't they compensated like a legacy?