Of course McDonalds employees don't have a powerful union, fighting for and voting for appropriate contracts. Ya, that was sarcasm. You are what you negotiate, this is business remember? One is a government minimum wage, the other, a negotiated lower wage to undercut its peer to get more flying and get PIC so he or she can fly a shiny 737 for United someday out of Newark. Good luck regional guy, I'm sure it will only be about 3 years at a regional, so don't worry!