Originally Posted by
RV5M
Union negotiation and Economics have very little in common.
No one really cares that your pilots are happy when they spend twice as much time as every single other pilot group at "first year" wages. The whole problem with the regional industry is exactly your simple observation. Pilots are happy flying jets. The management takes advantage of this fact and continues to try and force concessions. The fact is your pay scale is embarrassing no matter how "happy" you claim to be. Your pilot group would be better off if the classes weren't full. Just look at what CommutAir management brought to their pilot group in order to recruit new pilots.
Your attitude is hurting this industry. Your rationalization is selfish. If you take your train of thought to its logically conclusion, you'd be willing to undercut major airline pilots just for a chance to sit in a Delta or United seat.