Here is my issue with being a pilot:
If you get furloughed you cannot find another job making the money you were before furlough. Where are these united captains going to find a job making 100k?
In the normal world, you can jump from job to job, making the same amount or more based on numerous things.
Why does a first year (sometimes seconds and third) FO at a major make less than a captain at a regional?
For everything to work out in aviation, you have to time everything right and be VERY lucky!
Unions and the seniority system at the airlines need to be changed. But they won't.