Originally Posted by
pileit
I used to work at an airline that had a 15 years scale. It takes 3 years longer to get to top pay, is that better? Also, our current scale is too steep, I agree. 2nd year Captain only makes marginally less than a 12 year Captain. I'm all for reducing the 2nd, 3rd & 4th year Captain pay to increase the longevity pay going forward. Currently after year 2 the annual increases are comical, something like $2-3/hr. I doubt we'd get the current scale extended AND annual raises out to the previously mentioned 42 year mark without trading something for it. That would be a MASSIVE amount of $. Of course if someone knows a way to obtain both the current scale AND increase longevity...I'm even happier with that.
Over the course of a full career, one does better to bring earnings forward. In the absence of any retirement benefit being calculated on final average earnings, I'd even take an inversion to the pay tables if I were getting hired today.
And remember, there are big differences in vacation and sick leave between 2nd and 12th (or 19th) year captains, not to mention the earning power seniority itself can produce if you choose to exercise it.