Originally Posted by
CBreezy
Because airline pilots are still one of the most truisted professions in the US. When you have one using hyperbole and half truths to try and scare the public into giving us more money, we all come across as money hungry unions and not professionals deserving better wages for the responsibilty. If anything, telling people that even with the 1500 hour rule, there is enough inexperience in the cockpit that it could kill you will result in higher entrance barriers than already exist.
The top of the pay scale at my regional pays less (almost $5K less) than a
starting police officer at a 21,000 person city in South Dakota; a state that has one of the lowest costs of living in the nation.
I'm not money hungry....a livable and reasonable salary commensurate with my level of responsibility that provides a reasonable return on investment for the great sacrifices that I've made and the hardships that I've endured to get to my position is all I'm after.
If failing to protect and defend measures that help me achieve that somehow makes the public perceive my "profession" in a more favorable light, then I'm not on board. Public perception does not translate into proper salary or work rules. If it did, we'd have both right now.
A former boss used to tell me "if you need the public to love you, go work for the fire department."
I'm not sure what course of action you champion, but considering that regional, and, by extension, all professional pilots are finally on the cusp of meaningful change, I'd suggest that this article, no matter how distasteful we may find it, is actually helping our drive for better wages, working conditions, and, if you like, a better path to the airline pilot career.