What did you personally do to raise the bar? Getting hired at a premium carrier doesn't count because you're basically riding on someone's coat tail.
Agree.
Nobody that has not been up and down in this business should talk about the bar.
I know ex Pan-Am and Eastern Captains that came over to the Middle East and signed any contract they could 'cause the mortgage company did not want to hear about the bar or any other excuse for not paying bills.
Most of us started (as least the civilians) flying crap for crap money just to
1) Fly
2) Make money
3) Log hours and step up to the next level.
When the gravy train is running full speed one can jump to the next level, and the next and finally sit in the sun making good good dough flying good planes on good routes.
Then the train stops and the bills are still rolling in.
What is a guy to do?
Stay away from 3rd level carriers with junk pay, junk planes and junk Q.O.L just to keep the "Bar" up?
Or go out and do whatever 'till the economy picks back up and the gravy train leaves the staion once again?
(not saying that NAA is a 3rd rate carrier, but there is some "outfits" out there that would qualify..At least paywise...Turned down a job offer from Air Atlanta today...Not going to fly left seat on a 747 for $5K per month...But if I get hungry enough in the future I may..If somebody on this board has a problem with that, just send yer donation over to the CSY Mon's mortgage fund, or shut up.)