Originally Posted by
iahflyr
FedEx and UPS are not in the same industry as us. They are cargo airlines. Their revenue is tied to an entirely different source. Their competition is completely different. I can't just start Joe Blow Cargo with a few airplanes and expect to make money. There are major barriers to entry in the cargo industry, and very little barriers of entry in the airline industry. Like it or not, there is a ton more competition in the passenger airline industry, which is why we cannot ask for large salaries. We have to be competitive, or we loose are jobs.
I believe our industry is our similar peers (Delta, American, and US Air). You could make an argument for Southwest, but the realities of their industry (low cost passenger airlines) is different than ours.
We carry passengers.. people's lives are in our hands, they carry boxes. Iahflyr, I'm going to give you some constructive criticism..."stop talking". Management of UniCal just gave themselves a 40% raise...give it a rest that they don't have money. Second, we stay competitive with our service from our employees and marketing plan. UniCal should be attacking the Asian/Middle East market and if the employees are happy, the airline will be happy(Look at Southwest). Third, jobs are lost through SCOPE...period! They get outsourced to the lowest bidder...but it seems in your eyes, low pay is fine. GIVE ME A BREAK. We are professional pilots and will be paid accordingly, if you can't wrap your management brain around it, I'm sorry for you. By the way, I'm 5' 8 3/4".