Originally Posted by
2StgTurbine
Then how do you explain the rest of the industry that does not have a seniority system? I have seen it before with a King Air. A King Air operator shows up and says he needs an FO for his charter. He is offering $100 a day. It won't take long for a CFI to offer to do the job for free just to get some turbine time so he can find a real job that pays more later. There is no seniority system there.
I don't see how that example is relevant. Sitting right seat in a King Air under part 91 isn't even loggable flight time. There is no reason anyone should expect to be paid much for that. As a high time pilot I've often sat right seat for friends who needed someone to go along on the flight. I wouldn't presume to ask for money unless someone was paying him for me to be there. If a CFI is doing it for free he's wasting his time anyway so who cares?
Many other smaller operators pay much higher salaries than regional pilots in similar equipment and they don't have contracts or seniority systems. Yesterday I saw an ad for a 135 operator who is hiring E135 pilots starting at $120K. Try making that much in a regional flying an ERJ. You asked how do I explain the rest of the industry that may not use a seniority system....I think I just did.