Interesting point, but let me toss in another concern that may yet rear it's ugly head with respect to pilot pay. That is to say that, perceptions count for A LOT. When American and United (or anyone else for that matter) see what the predomininant wage for regional pilots is, what conclusion do you suppose is the one that they reach with regard to Mesa? We are at a fraction of what every other regional is paying. Our upper management sees this as, not only a win for them, but for the company as a whole in it's ability to undercost competitors. While this concept may hold some truth, I think that it only works for a while. But, when your pilot base is being paid only half as much as the rest of the industry, any rational mind would be questioning the reason for that. And, none of those questions would be positive ones. No, they would be wondering (assuming may be more appropriate), that your pilots are less marketable or less proficient than your competitors. While those of us at Mesa know better than to buy into that, nevertheless, we have to ask what kind of image that projects to our major partners? Our management thinks they're cute in screwing us over wages while hiding behind the reason of offering the lowest F-F-D cost. But, the pilot pay disparity has become so bad that our mainline partners surely must be questioning the capability of our pilot base. My fear is that we may begin losing flying not because we aren't the cheapest anymore, but because they equate 50% of the prevailing wage to 50% proficiency and safety.