The reason the pay is so low is that three years ago the pilot signed a collective bargaining agreement allowing for lower pay while allowing the company to take over the Regional market in the US (which they are doing at an alarming rate) and guarantying job security. In the light of all the lay-offs and furloughs at the Majors and other Regionals after 9/11, it was a no-brainer. And it worked. Contract is up for renegotiation next year and pay should go up.