An individual’s “happiness” is directly linked to how life unfolds relative to expectations.

It is my belief that most pilots expect to make a good living soon after graduating from college and blowing a fortune on their education and training. If they didn't they why would anyone put themselves into this situation? Why go 100K in debt for the reality of 20K per year?

Once word gets out that things are not so great at the airlines perhaps the tide will change. You guys should be paying for me to travel the country giving speeches to colleges and flight schools.

As for myself I expected that my sacrifices and investment into my aviation career would result in a better lifestyle then if I had just stayed working at a gas station. Some here would claim it blasphemous to suggest that there be a financial incentive to a flying career. To me however it is essential. Eventually financial forces will conspire to ruin even the most fun career if you can not pay your bills.

In addition; I also have been saying for years now that automation is taking over for happy and experienced pilots.

Skyhigh