The seat cost per mile is not a valid argument as for what a pilot makes. A flight from ILM to JFK runs about $250 to $350 each way depending on when the ticket is purchased. That's about $24,000 gross revenue if the flight is full. The block time is about 1:50. EOS carries 48 passengers at a price of about $2,400 per seat, which translate to gross revenue of $115,200, again if seats are full with a block time of about 8:00. If both carriers have an average utilization of 16:00 per day, you can determine where who is going to make more.... even if both aircraft had the same direct operating expenses.

The bar setting thing does not start with the 757 or Airbus pilot... it starts at the bottom of the food chain... the RJ guys such like yourself. Regional guys sold themselves when they accepted such low pay to fly a jet. The low pay then flowed up to the majors who at one time owned the commuters. Perform an analysis of first through fight year pay for initial hires in the 80's to today at Delta, NW, UAL, and CAL. After inflation you will see that initial pay has dropped dramatically.

So Koolaidman... don't preach to the SKYBUS, V/A, EOS, or MAXjet guys on how they should raise the bar. The bulk of these crews are high time experienced pilots who were either furloughed, or took early retirement. You should be out their on your soapbox preaching to the entrants to the regional demanding hire entry and subsequent pay and benefits.