Part of the problem is that this industry is sold to people as a cash cow - "Gee golly and aww shucks you'll be a rich man by the time you've got 5 years in at the regionals - and don't forget the prestige and glory - and the unlimited international travel - and the FAs that will knock on your door in the middle of the night and want you to rub lotion on their backs. Yes, you'll have a wonderful life in the high dollar world of aviation."

So if you were fed that line of crap you would be very likely to plunk down your $29,000 buckaroos to get a shot at that lifestyle. What I don't get is how many people believe it. I'm not saying that GIA intentionally misrepresents the lifestyle - the fact is a lot of people do. And a lot of people still believe the hype. They don't get to see the reserve couch and the ramen noodles and the tiny little paycheck.

All they know is they spent tens of thousands of dollars on getting this job that doesn't pay enough to cover the rent. Now what? Of course they're going to fly a Super Jumbo Embraer 90 Passenger Whisperjet! How could you back out now? You've got bills to pay and ends to meet, that $14.50 an hour sure beats nothing, right?

So its not these places that are causing problems with farming out flying to cheaper and cheaper labor - it's the blatant misrepresentation of this industry to potential pilots!!! I still know people that think they're going to get rich being a regional FO, even after I show them my paycheck. Or they think they're going to move up to the majors after a few years at the regionals.

So they think that by investing this money or by working for peanuts they are going to make a lot of money. They just have to slog through the crap for a few years to get to the glory at the end. If only they could see the truth.

If the industry was seen for what it was and prospects were given a reality check into what our lives and futures are we could put an end to all this arguing about scope and whipsawing and undercutting and PFT/PFJ and everything else. Our industry has been sold for too long as an easy way to earn wealth quickly. People look at this industry like a get-rich-quick scheme.
They'll do anything to get their foot in the door...anything.