Do you really think the public would even notice (much less respond to) a modest increase such as $10 on short flights and maybe $20-30 on longer domestic ones? I seriously doubt it. As it is now, the devitaion from the expected price is often so large that it easily would mask small increases.
Even if they were told point blank, the amount of revenue would more than likely increase at a far greater rate that the loss from fewer people flying. A perfect example is when in early 2004 gas was well under $2.00. Now it is over $3.00 and people have just gotten used to is. They HAVE NOT cut back on UNNECESSARY driving to any large extent. Instead they have just absorbed it and bickered then forgoten about it.
By the way, I see no other place but up for airline pilot pay in the future. We are just pulling out of a nose dive, there are fewer student pilot certs issued now than 10 yrs ago (less supply) and demand for air travel in the USA according to the International Air Transport Assoc. is suppose to increase by 5.3% annually until at least 2011 (more demand)!
Clearly this will only help pilots gain leverage in raising the bar for better pay in the future.
