I really dislike the "you get what you pay for" argument. Passengers have no idea how airlines work or how much pilots are paid. They just assume that there is a level of safety dictated by the FAA and that the pilots are paid a fair amount. They really don't have the ability or time to research who's flying their flight and whether that airline is good or not. That's why the FAA was formed in the first place, was to make sure the public would be safe!

Instead of just telling people to buy expensive tickets we should try and educate the public on the pilot profession and push for higher safety and pay standards.

Perhaps when they buy their tickets they should publish how much the crew will be making on that flight? Maybe then they'll think twice about that cheap-o flight? Probably not.