Originally Posted by unitedflyier

Yes I remember studying economics many, many years ago at college. Same talk of desert and glass of beer and how much was the first one worth to you. Then it asks how much is the second and third one worth. Less probably. Funny they still use the same examples all those years later.

But on pilot pay. I think supply and demand are everything. Before I made it to a major I struggled to get any jet job. Then when I finally did all the majors started to hire and our company lost most of their experienced crews. All of a sudden training contracts disappeared. They paid you during training. They paid for your hotel during training etc. The company tried to poach other companies pilots and other companies did the same hiring directly into the Capt seat.

The railway labor act is out of date and needs to go. If you want a free market then it needs to be truly free. If not re-regulate.

The age 65 rule made the long term shortage worse. It stagnated the upward movement of crews and pay and conditions. Pilots like my self went through a double furlough and have left the industry. College grades now choose a better paying and more secure job elsewhere.

We need to restrict the number of pilots coming into the industry by making it harder to get a license. Higher academic and experience standards. We need to regain public respect for the profession. Then let supply and demand take it's toll. Pay and conditions will improve. If we keep making it easier and accepting lower standards, pay and conditions will continue to fall.

I'm not going back to work for United at 1993 pay levels, sitting on reserve for another 6 years, 20 days a month. The most I ever made was $74k a year flying 95 hours a month. They would have to at least double that for me to consider returning. Compensation for the inconvenience of being away from my home and family and friends etc.

I'm my own boss now and it's great. I travel when I want to, or stay home every night.

Good luck to all you professional aviators. You deserve better.