Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a windfall, but it's true. However, in the case of the iPad, I think it's being done because it actually makes financial sense as the company saves money. New hires are offered a one time payment of $500 toward an iPad as they will no longer receive paper Jepp charts. The cost savings that arises from no longer having to provide the pilot with a Jepp subscription saves far more than $500 over time. I was told that all pilots are to receive that same offer. Is that not true? While the $500 is nice to get, the price of a late generation iPad, warranty/breakage plan, and Gecko mount comes to right around $1000, forcing the newb to come out of his own pocket with the same amount.

It's my understanding that the food allowance is being given to them because they weren't able to get housed in a hotel with a kitchenette and so they're having to pay more for meals. Not saying any of it is right or wrong though because of the way things are for everyone in general. It's too bad it's come to this ... where rather than being happy to see someone getting a break we just get p!$$3d and jealous instead. It reminds me of when I was in the military.