My first full year at TSA was 1994. I made $16600 flying FO on a J32. I had an ATP a CFI/II/MEI and 500 MEL, and a college degree (not ERU). I have over 10000 hours now. What makes anyone think I'll work that cheap? I'm sure all the "regional" airlines are hiring the best pilots they can find that will work that cheap.

I took a $10K+ paycut to go work for ATA in 1998. I made it up in the second year and had better retirement and benefits than TSA. That was also under a really bad IBT contract. ATA was not that well known or all that widely respected as a career position, but the average new hire had about 5000TT with 1000 TPIC. After a couple of years, I wanted to stay there.

I just had my 25 year reunion. One of my friends there just got laid off. He's been working in finance and has a Master's in European history. He applied for a teaching job in our old home town. Starting pay for 1st time teachers is $49K. Where I live now they pay $42K.

The argument that there are very few people with "our" skills is specious, ignorant, and reeks of arrogance. There are very few lawyers, doctors, engineers. How much are they paid? They all worked harder than pilots to get their licenses. Less than 20% of Americans have a bachelor degree (last I heard), and I bet they all get paid more than a "regional" FO's.

Unions are just as guilty as management for negotiating these wages. The market speaks, to a large degree in spite of unionization. If there were no unions, it would speak louder and the industry would be in chaos.

I'm looking to get out. I don't want to work under someone else's terms and more.