You know that statement "we are our own worst enemy"? I'm guilty of it myself. Started when it was $18 an hour - 5$ bucks lower than current contract at company. I'm guilty of it, but something that I also think is a player is psychological. We are "brainwashed" to believe we are supposed to start at this pay because "flying a shiny jet is COOOOOOLLLLLLLL!!!!! Well, so we think until 6 months later and ends aren't being met with the bills. Now FFD's have 8 year FO's that are very disappointed in career choice. After a while now I've noticed it's about the 2.5 year mark thatost FO's are hating their decision to do this and contemplate getting out of the industry. A big part of me, while sitting there listening, is hopeful some big news of QOL, pay, upgrades will happen to help them out, but months later nothing is new.

If one is young and single that individual will probably come out on top, but if you are looking to come into this with other school debt, mortgage, married, kids, etc. it is a big let down for those individuals after reality sits in.

One last note. I'm not a doom and gloom kind of person. I consider myself to be very fortunate. I upgraded in a short time and have never been furloughed. I also have yet to break 6 figures being in this industry- reserve for a long time at garantee each month. Hopefully I'll be picked up by a major one day and reap the rewards of my work in the prior years. People have been hearing about a "pilot shortage" since the 80's and yet there has not been one. Currently we are experiencing a pilot pay shortage. Maybe we are really about to experience one and it work out for us well - time will only tell.