Originally Posted by
Convairator
I see both your points, however, I would probably have to agree with globetrekker on this one. It seems like what you are trying to say is that, regardless of what the job pays, you'll do it. Regardless? You love this sweet profession soo much that you would work for any wage? Do you even receive a wage now (if thats what you want to call it?) The pay in this profession has gone way below pathetic. If people continue to work for it, because its a 'sweet' job, then you can sure plan on never getting through life with any money. Pilots will soon be 'sweet' jobbing themselves right into homeless shelters if pay gets any lower. Any regional first year FO with a family automatically qualifies for food stamps in ALL 50 STATES!!! That is just funny as to where we've gotten.
*by the way, flying is not the 'coolest job in the world*, not even close. Wouldnt you rather be an NFL player, beer taster, playboy photographer, professional golfer, professional tennis player, espn anchor, travel channel host, adult film star? I would give up flying in a heartbeat for any one of those careers!!!
I'm not the problem, I know what the pay is, and I know what the life style is, and I don't complain. Those of you who constantly complain, and STILL stay in your joke of a pay position are. You say "I'll quit in an instant.." BS! If this were true, you would have already, the reality is that you LIKE/LOVE your job too much to quit. Because it is the "coolest job in the world" and to prove it, I give the argument that you and the other "pay sucks" guys, are still there flying for peanuts. It's not like your mentally challenged, or physically handicapped, your a pilot so you have to have some smarts. You could do almost anything else in the world that requires technical competency. So the old and tired argument of "I only know this" is BS also. If you want to be a beer taster, go for it, how hard could it be?
And, "No", I don't want to do anything else. If I made more money, I'd use it to fly more or start a 135 op just for fun.
I'll be more than happy to point anybody on this thread to a new exciting (yeah right) lucrative career in data center virtualizing. More money than you can image to be made ($75,000.00 starting), and its EASY for a smart guy. However, like everything in life there is a price to pay, high stress, tedious, boredom and having to deal with complete buffoons.
If money is your goal, EVERYBODY knows flying is not the route to go. So you must be doing it (flying) because you LOVE it, and its the "coolest job in the world" and money is secondary.
IMHO, the only way to raise the pay is to raise the standards. More hours to get in, require an ATP, require a four year degree in engineering, and require an IQ test. These things are weeders, and when the pool of qualified applicants shrinks, those that are left can demand more pay. This is how the rest of the world works, especially in the IT/Computer industry. Thats why Datacenter Virtualizing experts are in constant demand, are paid stupid amounts of money no matter what skill level they are. Demand and Supply, plain and simple.