I read through many responses and for the most part, this is old news. But I have a suggestion as to how to fix the problem. In the medical field, all doctors and nurses must be certified by an "outside" organization before they get hired. For doctors, that certification comes from the AMA. For Nurse Anesthetists, that certification comes from the AANA. In either/any case, this requirement for certification is actually a method for controlling demand. Supply and Demand have been mentioned in this string. With a low supply relative to the demand given, prices (read: salaries) will always go up. The AMA restricts the supply of doctors through it's certification process. Imagine if ALPA, or some other organization, "certified" pilots as being ready and able to be airline pilots, rather than everyone getting their Commercial, multi, instrument from Joe's Pilot School, etc - no insult intended to the graduates of Joe's Pilot School. The point is that ALPA, or some similar certifying body, takes control of the supply portion of the system and thereby takes control of the salary variations.
At the end of the day, an airline is going to do exactly what every business does: maximize profits. Pilots are less of a prisoner to the airline than they are to the contract their union negotiates.
A couple of replies mention standing together. Look to the union, not the company for that. Hold the union responsible, not the company. The company is acting in its own best interests. Don't blame them. Hold the union accountable and start thinking outside of the box.
A couple of suggestions:
- A certifying body as already mentioned
- A national seniority list where Captains don't lose seniority when switching airlines. Why should anyone have to go back to being an FO just because they switch airlines?
- Separate the lobbying function of the union from the labor portion...they aren't mutually supportive, even though they may seem to be.

I've done many things in my life, and being an airline pilot is the weirdest job - as well as most rewarding - I've ever had. It is up to us to change it. Someone pointed out that regional pilots now outnumber mainline. I don't know if that is true, but it suggests to me that regional pilots should have a lot of clout when vote time comes around . Take advantage of it. Imagine a regional captain running ALPA.