if you think I'm wrong, ask any retired or soon to be retired captain from one of the majors , including the ones that are now gone ( like pan amm, eastern, flyng tigers).compare their salaries and quality of life with what we have now and adjust for inflation ( also compare their salaries with the cost of owning a home and a car then and now). WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION PILOT SALARIES HAVE BEEN DECREASING.one reason is that there is always someone always ready to do it for less for his/her perceived personal gain. and that is the reason alpa was founded. so pilots would band together and work for more not less ( read flying the ine 1 & 2, alpa will sen them to you free of charge)