milky
Makin' the switch soon
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2008
- Posts
- 436
B19 flyer, I see what you're saying. The thing is, we have to make enough to be respected as profesionals. If things went back to where they were (pre contract 2005), then we loose respect and credibilty as professionals and pilots. Back in 2005, I would airlne to a place, catch a ride on a CLS car someplace else. Get to talking with the limo driver, 4 out 5 times, his salary was twice my salary (as an F/O)........my college debt is 60,000, he paid nothing to become a driver.....do you see my point????
You are correct about the low pay of airline pilots, but the reason you are not being respected is because the collective 'you' is willing to take jobs for that little money. Collectively, young airline pilots are willing to run up a large amount of debt and then take jobs that barely pay the interest on the debt, let alone make a decent living. As a group, you have driven down your own value. That will only change when people stop showing up for the jobs that pop up. Right now, all of the jobs still seem to be getting thousands of applications per position. Right now, I'm not transitioning to airlines because of how bad of shape the community lies. I am not willing to make so little money for my experience.
As much as you guys seem to hate B-19, he does make good points about how your unions are destroying your own ability to survive. The way you've laid out your contracts has basically taken your ability to differentiate yourself from your buddy. So, what leg do you have to stand on to say you are worth more money when there is somebody just like you that is willing to work for minimum wage or less.