I'm an outsider looking in. Always been interested in aviation, even thought about it but could not afford all of the training and my eyes weren't/aren't the greatest. My dad was a corporate pilot, I have a private pilot ticket but haven't flown in a long time. I mention this as I don't have a a dog in the fight but, as an enthusiast I am wondering . . .

I see a lot of pilots talk of the poor pay at the regionals. (Frankly I'm shocked at the pay given the responsibility and the training required). The difficulty getting hired by the majors. I think many long for the days of the 60's - 70's not only in terms of pay but in the conditions as well. Flying seemed to be more of an event rather than a roundup and loading cattle, if you get my drift.

According to Skytrax, the Top Ten Airlines list has none from the United States. Most are Pacific rim with three from the Middle East and Africa.

Why don't carriers from America make the list? What do the foreign airlines do that US carriers can't or won't and why?