Originally Posted by
flyingfarmer
Last I checked, the responsibilities were the same. I believe this would make Junior/Senior less of an issue, reduce infighting, and allow us to concentrate on the company. However, the down side... Save the airline money; we could ask for this be put toward the pilot contract. Also, less training... Fewer training events... Fewer instructors.
Try to think of it this way. Are the responsibilities the same for flying a C-172 as they are for an A-380? Of course not ... neither are they the same for flying a 737 and a 747. Is the productivity the same? Of course not ... neither are they the same for flying a 737 and a 747. Pilots should be paid more based on the productivity they bring to the table. UPS screwed the industry with their same rate philosophy. The Company wants it for the reasons you outlined ... less Instructors ... less training ... which means less pilots. Pay Banding also means that it takes our productivity argument out of the equation for negotiating pay.
Please read the first chapter in "Flying the Line" titled "What's a Pilot Worth?" Pilot's pay increased dramatically because of the higher speeds and greater number of seats when airlines switched from Connies to 707's and DC-8's because of the increased responsibilities and productivity. We all owe the guys back then for their foresight to lock in pay to productivity. Even though our rates have stalled temporarily ... we still need to chuck pay banding and pay by productivity!