A while back some major news website posted an article that the decrease in pilot wages did not seem to be affecting the performance of the airlines over the past several years. I believe it was discussed on this forum, the article basically asserted that major airline pilots still flew just as safely and punctually as ever, even though their wages had been slashed significantly.

That is one impression that the public was given. That airline pilots can get paid less, but because we are so professional we will continue to work just as hard.

Fact of the matter is that airline managers are TRAINED to get the most out of labor. They watch VHS videos on it. To them you are not a pilot, you are labor.

A line item.

A number on a list of numbers that represents a significant expense which must be minimized in order to maximize profit. They are trained minimize your compensation just as well as everyone of us is trained to fly an airplane. You can dress up, act professional, and continue trying to upstage your coworkers 'till the cows come home, but until organized labor gains an upper hand in negotiations we are all stuck in this rut.