Originally Posted by
NineGturn
Seriously, your perception of reality is the main part of the problem.
You pointed it out well in saying that a regional jet pilot carries as many if not more passengers over time.
The pay is not based on natural market forces or even on the aircraft size (as you are led to believe) but on an artificial negotiated system designed to be self destructive over time. The unions do not represent the pilots anymore, they have become a tool for big management to drive down employee costs.
At least as a flight instructor, a pilot can earn pay based on market demand rather than based on an artificial union closed door deal, otherwise they'd probably have to pay for the priveledge of teaching.
Also....I can earn over $200k at times flying an airliner and I must say that it requires less applied skill than when I flew regional turboprops.
Your perception is warped. As for CFI pay, time will tell. It's very possible that CFI pay will decrease soon due to the fact that teaching may well be one of the only ways one can afford to get 1500 hours.
My perception of reality is that until there is a viable ab-initio program in the states, low time pilots will start their airline careers at airlines with small airplanes. Small airplanes that generate small profit will continue to pay small paychecks. That's reality.
This thread started with the notion that ALPA has sold younger, new airlines pilots down the river. I agree that ALPA national has not implemented a very effective scheme (on a macro level) to preserve pay and benefits for all their pilots. But taken in the context of the political environment and history of the last 20 years (actually since 1978), they have done the best they could. I'd like to see legislative change. I'd like to see the RLA amended. ALPA doesn't pursue that agenda because they're afraid of what they might get. Look at what happened with pt. 117. I'm certainly not less fatigued. Three legs days that approach nine hours are not an improvement if you ask me.
ALPA is far from perfect but I shudder to think what this profession would be like without it. (Collective bargaining that is).