The general public will never give a rats ass about an airline pilot's compensation package or quality of life. To think that a PR campaign is your ticket to a better life is silly. Does anybody including most major airline pilots even care that a new hire at a regional makes less than 20K. I didn't think so, so why would they care that a USAir captain only makes 144K.

Please keep in mind that the great job that Capt. Sullenberger did will soon be forgoten and will only be pulled out now and then in a news clip. 14 minutes and counting.

IMHO there is only one way to better your pay and quality of life. First, the airline has to make money and then you negotiate for a better package. It's going to take years.

The loss came from the poor economic profromance of the airlines and the willingness of a judge to cut a deal with management instead of forcing the unions and the airlines to negotiate reductions.