Originally Posted by
jungle
Sadly, many of us have fallen for the myth that unions can deliver on the promise of a high salary.
Take a look around this site, high salaries are a direct result of a successful business model. You can of course say unions helped that, and you can also cite many examples of bankrupt airlines with a very deluxe union.
Two things will help your salary, a very good business model and a very high standard of professionalism demanded by the business.
Would you take an exec job at a regional for $200,000/yr or more? I know lots of people would. Would you hinge it on whether it's well run or profitable? Maybe, but you know that many people would think about the pay and then rationalize the rest, heck they rationalize enough being pilots of said company. Basically, many of these airlines have none of the things you mention, a way to attract (and continue to motivate) very professional people and or a good business model. What's the incentive? Unions help a little in this area at least, but I'd agree that it's entire business model and industry that's broken. Union's aren't going to fix that.