Originally Posted by
tom11011
Again, lay out the logistics of how exactly this would work. Don't give me some vague horsesh*t about US Maritime.
Have you ever looked at or taken a cruise? If you have, you will see that nearly all cruise ships are operated under Panamanian, Liberian, or other registry. How many of those who work those ships are paid at US Merchant Marine rates?
Short answer: almost none. Maybe the Master and the First officer, but the rank and file, not even close.
Why? Because crap wages here in the US are darn good wages in these other countries.
Don't believe me? Look at the rates for the airlines that are actively seeking US pilots and compare them to comparable US jobs. Forget Emirates, they are looking for the cream of the crop and don't care where they come from. Look at the borderline companies, or the ones that have perpetual adds on the 350 etc. Same equipment for lower wages in they US. They make sense because there is a huge tax break for ex pats.
I was head hunted by an Australian Saab operator. They were willing to pay me 40% more.... But I would have needed to live in Sydney. After figuring the cost of living, I would have lost money... and I WANTED to take some time down under. And they paid far less than other Saab operators in Australia.... kinda the Colgans of the down under.
Still don't get it?
Okay, I'll try another tack.
Why is it when you call customer support for something you bought in the US, you get a guy who calls himself Fred who has a distinctly Hindi accent? No guesses??? Short answer, "Fred" can make twice what his brethren make by working from 9pm local to 0500 local answering calls from folks in the US calling during business hours. And he is still cheaper that having US folks working from 9am to 5pm.
Still don't get it?
Auto industry. Auto workers in the US in the 70s-80s were paid a very reasonably wage. Then the US market collapsed. Why? Because Asians thought $7 an hour was living high on the hog. (Funny thing is now the Japanese are running into pay issues versus the Koreans)
Final thought. Foreign airlines are willing to pay "Big Bucks" to drag US folks FROM THEIR CONTINENT to work. Why? Because the rates they are paying are not great enough to attract the locals.
Think about that.