Gee, I guess I should tell all the guys I know on second year pay netting around $40,000 that they can't keep $23,000 of it. I agree with you to a certain extent, but I can't say that you paint the most accurate picture. It's pretty sad that the pay is so low, but it's also pretty sad that a lot of people are miserable in their cubicles making twice as much.

I see pros and cons to every industry. Outsourcing, layoffs, cost-cutting, and bottom feeding are certainly not exclusive of the airline industry. Yes, it's more cyclical and tumultuous than most fields, but regret is an intangible cost on one's personal goals. This is something I've always wanted to do and now I can say I've done it. I encourage anyone who has realistic expectations of this career to at least experience it.

Lastly, experience as a pilot will never hurt you when interviewing for positions outside of aviation.

Congratulations, whoareyou, welcome.