bobbysamd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
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Pilot salary news story
My initial reaction was that your news anchor friend should definitely not call Kit Darby for comment. It was in 1987 when Kit, as FAPA, spawned the pilot shortage sophistry. News media ran stories of how 40-thousand pilots would be needed during the next ten years, etc., ad nauseum. Kit was always supplying the quotes. We all know how true that "story" was.
A story about pilot salaries could be interesting as long as your news anchor friend researches it well. He should go by objective data, such as from state departments of labor or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As well as talking with pilots from all facets of aviation, he could interview ALPA officials, 135 operators, corporate, etc.
I second Airpilotrob's comments about the quality of journalism this story requires, and appreciate his citations to RTNDA and Sigma Delta Chi. The story has to be done right. Showing a pilot in uniform paying for groceries with food stamps would indeed be sensationalism. Finally, the story needs to evolve from a current angle, such as an upcoming contract or, heaven forbid, furloughs. There has to be a reason for doing the story. I also agree with Mar's comments about covering such things as crew rest, etc. in the story, not to mention pay commensurate with responsibility. The myth that pilots work only 80 hours a month and are paid big bucks needs to be debunked. Even if well done, don't expect a groundswell of support for higher pilot salaries. People will still feel that pilots are well paid, if not overpaid, and they (the people) are underpaid.
My initial reaction was that your news anchor friend should definitely not call Kit Darby for comment. It was in 1987 when Kit, as FAPA, spawned the pilot shortage sophistry. News media ran stories of how 40-thousand pilots would be needed during the next ten years, etc., ad nauseum. Kit was always supplying the quotes. We all know how true that "story" was.
A story about pilot salaries could be interesting as long as your news anchor friend researches it well. He should go by objective data, such as from state departments of labor or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As well as talking with pilots from all facets of aviation, he could interview ALPA officials, 135 operators, corporate, etc.
I second Airpilotrob's comments about the quality of journalism this story requires, and appreciate his citations to RTNDA and Sigma Delta Chi. The story has to be done right. Showing a pilot in uniform paying for groceries with food stamps would indeed be sensationalism. Finally, the story needs to evolve from a current angle, such as an upcoming contract or, heaven forbid, furloughs. There has to be a reason for doing the story. I also agree with Mar's comments about covering such things as crew rest, etc. in the story, not to mention pay commensurate with responsibility. The myth that pilots work only 80 hours a month and are paid big bucks needs to be debunked. Even if well done, don't expect a groundswell of support for higher pilot salaries. People will still feel that pilots are well paid, if not overpaid, and they (the people) are underpaid.
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