Originally Posted by
Eric Stratton
really a guy hired at virgin who went immediately to the left seat making $95/hour would make more than a united hire making $30. You're fairly sharp to point that out. A gold star for you.
That's not what I said, but it's true, if someone was hired directly into the left seat at VA today, they'd make more than someone in the right seat at UA. They'd also make more if they were hired into the right seat at VA since their first year pay is more than UA. Their opportunity for advancement, (upgrade), at VA is greater and therefore would be another reason their income would be greater. Assuming you could upgrade in the same aircraft at UA in 6 years, (not likely), your pay would only be $8 more per hour than VA at the same time of service and you'd have spent 3 or 4 years more in the right seat with worse schedules.
This is all completely moot since it's not possible to get hired at United right now.
As for who's happy, it's not a shock to see people happy who start a new job. It usually works that way. Ask a new flight instructor, regional or LCC or major pilot. They are generally happy to have the new job. I bet though if Virgin pilots took a 30% pay cut they might not be as happy.
You're brilliant... (yes, that's sarcasm). And why do you think they don't need to take 30% pay cuts?
As for those airlines that start making a profit which pilot group ever caught up to get their fair share? Did airtran, jetblue, frontier, america west? Southwest never even caught up until 9-11 and that was by default. I hear they have a TA. Looking forward to seeing it.
The pilot groups that caught up are: Delta, United, American, NWA, SWA, etc... Yes, they were all start-up airlines at one time and paid their pilots terribly. But over time, new pay scales and work rules were negotiated. It only took them a few decades to get them but you expect VA or whoever to accomplish this instantly or they're considered beneath you.
If AT, JB, Frnt, AW are so subpar, why aren't there numerous threads bashing them? Why single out VA? VA hasn't even had a chance to make a go of it yet and you've already decided that they'll never negotiate a better pay scale. You seem to feel that you and you're airline are entitled to everything and no-one else can compete for the business. It's ok to not like competition but be an adult about it.
How big would you say a start up can get before you think they should be caught up? If ever? When do you think they should get their fair share?
I don't know, when do you think an airline should pay industry leading pay... day one? You aren't a business major are you?
Your last sentence is my favorite. "You can't start at the top, it doesn't work that way." I guess you can try by going to virgin and becoming a captain right away.
You apparently don't understand the seniority system.