Originally Posted by
KPer
Pay is proportionate to revenue generated. While you may not consider SWA flying risky, SWA pilots generate as much revenue for the company, by flying more block hours per day, than a wide pilot pilot flying one leg across the ocean. Pay should be commensurate with revenue generated for the work performed, not necessarily the risk involved.
"Should" is irrelevant. On-the-job risk (and comfort, ease of work, and schedules) all factor into market-based pay scales.
Other than regionals, we're not exactly market based due to the seniority system. Fundamentally revenue is the primary factor which determines how much we *could* get paid, since airlines obviously can't operate at a loss for long. It's up to us to leverage the union system to our max benefit.
But you may be seriously underestimating how much revenue a widebody can generate... lots of premium seats on those. My swag would be that a legacy widebody pilot generates at least as much revenue on one international flight as a guppy pilot does in a multi-leg day. A widebody pilot working for FDX/UPS most certainly does, whole different league there.