I would ask myself what the trend is? Did pilots this decade make more than the pilots of the 90s? Did pilots of the 90s make more than pilots in the 80s? Did pilots in the 80 make more than pilots in the 70s? After you adjust for inflation, would you guys say that pilots made more or less? How much? Now take this number and apply it to a super senior captain at your company and ask yourself if you would do his job for +/- whatever you determined the 20 year loss/gain avg. to be. If you find yourself saying " I know I don't make what they used to make but $XXXXX is still pretty good" then I would worry about where it will be when you are 15-20 years down the seniority pipeline. If the answer to these questions are "Things keep getting better over the decades" then you are sitting pretty. But always remember: the hiring boom due to retirements is right around the corner and the coming pilot shortage will fix everything.