He who pays the bills will have the power.

Judging by the comments, it is obvious the sentiment of the public. However, there were some valid points made. We already know that pilots are a simple line item on the expense side of an income statement. In an effort to maximize rate of return, how will increasing ticket prices lead to greater pilot compensation? Will raising doctor salaries reduce medical malpractice instances?

Pilots have proven that they'll more or less work for anything (As a group. Certainly the seasoned guys will draw their line in the sand, but another pilot salivating over logging multi engine time will be there to take over). There is NO (I repeat, NO) evidence that would hold any water directly linking pilot pay to crash figures. Certainly, experience could potentially be linked to a greater degree, but even that would be difficult to do. This latest Q captain had 3,500 hours of flight time - this is over twice the ATP limit. How do you convince a panel that lack of experience and low pay will reduce accidents? Shaw's commuting across the country during red eye hours could be a convincing start, but that will likely just result in lessened freedom regarding commuting. Perhaps it can be done, but I am not holding my breath.

Remember that business OWNERS are the ones who require returns. Businesses do not exist for the primary benefit of the employees (unless it is employee owned). In the case of Hulas Air and other privately owned companies, any increase in operating profit will merely bypass the pilots and work its way into the hands of the owners, save for a legally enforced mandatory pilot wage floor. If a publicly held company, you are going to be accountable to the shareholders. Savvy investors will look down that income statement and look at earnings per share and will potentially put their money elsewhere if the return is insufficient. These people are not pilots and do not understand the logistics of flying in this system - return on investment is EVERYTHING.

He who pays the bills, has the control.

I think the best comment on there is the one about how air travel for the common man, perhaps just isn't a viable business model. Some seem to be able to make it, but by and large, it does seem to be a tough going for all involved.