Originally Posted by GojetForever

"You must memorize $102,890 and $110,090!"

From a post a couple pages back. Yes, that is the low end of market now for a 1st and 5 year captain. But, US pilots don't care because we are looking at the wrong hand of the magician. They flash a major airline interview/flow/crew meal in front of us with one hand and they take half of our pay with the other hand.

We don't work here for money, we have been convinced that we are above money, we work for status. The nice uniform, the 3 stripes, or maybe the 4. We don't talk about what we have or what we make, we talk about our dreams to get a real job with a real airline. We chase the mighty carrots.

We see ourselves as nothings, but we dream of what we will be when we become real pilots.

Our union officials have become the jews in the concentration camps who neatly record the data for the Nazi officials. They politely protest as individuals are taken to the gas chambers, thinking that they are being a help. They have no power. We go to work now for less than half the wages the market demands.

We dare not demand, we dare not even speak, we rationalize our situations and in the end we meekly accept what we are given. There are a thousand of us and we look at the 3 guards as having all the power. No need for guns anymore, if we demand more, we will receive a checkered we will not pass and then we will be gone. In the odd event that we have a perfect day, no worry for tomorrow will be a new day with a new check ride.

Take what you are given and gladly accept it because that is all you are going to get, that is all you have decided you are worth. Union grievances, they have become a joke. Where will you even be in 2 years when your case comes up?

Well, the union took good care of me and I am scheduled for a 3pm shower!