I bet these folks don't sign a 6 year contract with minimal pay raises and then take 2 more years to negotiate a new one? I bet they're not stuck with a decreasing replacement value (due to inflation) retirement plan? I suspect they don't work ALL NIGHT in an office with Hazardous Materials? Admittedly, they probably do have special skills.

Maybe they get paid for performance? "If you hose our pilots really badly and we'll pay you a really big bonus?"

Maybe we should be paid for performance? How about our contract pay + bonuses for being on time + bonuses for saving fuel. Even though Management would NEVER be interested, how about bonuses for good ideas that increase efficiency and increase employees quality of life for employees!*?

But ... what do I know? I'm just an illegal farm worker, picking cotton on the plantation. I should be happy with what they want to give me?