Naive? we should use a tax policy to punish the 90% who made their money honestly, because someone who is a bum and jerk made it the wrong way. This is still the USA, I think? Where hard work and great ideas can be rewarded by becoming rich. It is called opportunity. Sounds like some who did not become rich are jealous and want to get even. Thankfully they are a minority.
not sure I follow this, so you are telling me you are rich and you hate rich people? You ask what is middle class? good question, what is your answer? Is middle class $60K/yr. 50% percentile income, one car and a 1400 sq ft house? Sounds middle to me. I have never made over $100K/yr in my life, yet I live very comfortabily in my 1400 sq ft house, own an airplane, do pretty much anything I want, what more is there. Plus a life time of investing in the the USA is going to bring me a very comfortable retirement. This country has been so good to me, 11 jobs since leaving the Navy in 1977 and there was always an opportunity out there for the next job. Just don't understand the unhappiness I see.
been investing since 1971, own five houses, which provide rental income, protection against inflation, did not have to worry about paying for college; Uncle Sam is very kind to those who volunteer services to the country. It is not my position to judge rich people. If rich people are evil they will be judged by a higher power.
Guess you were not looking for a job at the end of the Vietnam War where the Navy and USAF dumped 1000's of very qualified pilots on the street in the late 70's as part of the defense Savings after the war. Airlines could be a picky as they wanted, only current pilot need apply, those over 30 need not apply, your age and flight time are out of ratio, you have no jet time, etc. 5 years earlier or later maybe I would have maybe gotten one of those greats jobs, EAL, Braniff, Pam Am, and TWA. A little bid of armature physiologist I see, lets say I am I am very content with my present situation. The country has been very good to me, and I don't think someone with seem to have low expectations, and a low self worth. Defines where I am, we are all hostages to fortune, thank you Mr. E. Gann and do not have the control over our lives we think we do.
What is middle class income? is it 46K, 50 percentile, is it 75K, 70 percentile, is in 90K, 80 percentile, is it 110K 90 percentile, what is middle income? When your were commenting about the demise of the middle class, I ask what defines middle class, you went house, cars, good schools, I then ask you to define middle class by income level. I never got an answer; please define it so I can rebuff your answer. Most pilots make a good living compared to the rest of the individuals in this country. In the end the consumer of airline tickets will determine pilot pay.Ticket prices have jumped recently, and we have seen the resultant drop in airline traffic.
Wrong again, not a baby boomer, I'm a pre-boomer. I am well aware I did not do it by myself. BTW GI bill pays more than 100% of State University tuition, it is $51K total, Mich. State full credit load is under $10K for an in state student. It is a great program, if we have lived good lives since WWII, it was due to the fact we sent 500,000 GI's to college after the war. Where earned degrees in Engineering, Medicine, business and provided the backbone of productive people that allowed the country to become a world. You, me all are living the benefits of this experience. You both admit you are wealthy, would you have done this anywhere else in the world? I feel I am one of the luckiest people in the world, it appears many here do not feel the same.
Not what I read in ATW, what is your source, is it higher loads on fewer flights? It has certainly effected growth as shown by a slow down in hiring plans. Again the consumer will determine how much money can be paid for an airline ticket.
Not true I grew up middle class in the 50's we had a 1200 sq ft house, a one car garage, a 9" B&W TV, a party line on the phone, 6 kids in the family, 3 BR one Bath. We got soda pop maybe once a month, going out to eat was only big events like a birthday.That was a typical middle class neighborhood. I think we now call that family as living in proverty. BTW Increased productivity, means more produced for the same cost. Eliminate jobs because employees are expensive, therefore widgets produced per employee goes up. The employees who keep their jobs normally make more, at least that was the history of the UAW until they BKed the big 3
