Free Market
I think you all are making some interesting points, and certainly at first glance there is some credence to your points, but to lay the woes of regional pilots or pilots in general at the feet of the Major Airline pilots really does not bear scrutiny.
First, the premise that unions stifle the free market is categorically false. United and American pilots took wage cuts, and like in all past economic downturns, pilots at other carriers have done the same all for the simple reason: operating costs exceeded revenues, if they hadn't neither of these companies would be in existence today. Furthermore, for most fleets, the establishment of the wages themselves reflect a multitude of factors: higher productivity in the way of more passengers, international flights, and more cargo, in short, higher revenue.
Case in point, most effecient yet low cost SWA still pays their pilots very well and offers them stock options.
Finally, the key point is that such wages were earned by pilots going on strike or threat of strike, as you may well know whether the company is small or large, depending on their benevolence for your wages yields poor wages. So being able to use your labor as leverage illuminates the free market perfectly. Some pilots were never recalled so not every strike has been successful.
Equally, labor rules are the most criticized, and certainly there are some that are not based on sound fiscal policy, however they chiefly are there to ensure the health and safety of the crew and the flight itself.
Hence, pilot wages at the Majors are dynamic reflecting the elements of a free market product. Union bashing makes for great headlines, but our success is reflected in our rules and wages, which hopefully you will get to someday enjoy as well. I would argue that the exorbiant salaries of CEOs have not even come close to taking paycuts that equal the percentages of either American or United pilots. In fact, Delta's management elected to set aside greater than $20 million dollars for executive retirement accounts that are protected from bankruptcy, workers obviously have to solely hope that the company will remain solvent long enough for them to retire from, and still remain solvent. So is that comforting to know that your management could care less if the company went bankrupt?
Still, there is no denying that pilots working their way up to a seat in the Majors are attracted by the attractive pay, but I've read where even some RJ Capts, are making over $100K, so its not only the majors, but heck, aspiring doctors, lawyers, and actors are all in competitive fields that do not pay well at the outset. As a result, aviation is no different or unique in that respect. I would suggest unionizing yourselves, but obviously nobody sees any benefit because everybody wants to build the time, to curry favor with management, to get the next higher job, and so it goes, but that too was a challenge that ALPA faced at the outset. Perhaps with upward mobility being restricted, and the hiring of forloughed pilots, they can bring their expertise to bear on organizing groups who are in need of it, best of luck.
