I would require the airlines pay thier pilots based on their DUTY time not their flight time.
I would forbid a pilot from flying while ill and mandate that the carrier compensate the pilot while he or she is getting treatment and recuperating.
A pilot shall have 20 "personal days", no questions asked, but no sick time, thus removing the possibility of an airline requiring a doctors note. If you're not up for the flight, your not up for the flight. Period.
A pilot shall have a minimum of 20 days vacation.
I would also set a "pilot minimum wage" for all regional 121 carriers. SIC's to start at 40K per year. Captains will be paid a minimum of 80K. The pay would be adjusted annually for inflation and cost of living to encourage pilots to live in or near their base.
All national carriers shall pay their SIC's a minimum of 70K, and their Captains a minimum of 120K
To ensure proper and decent management of an airline, management personnel will be individually certified and licensed by the FAA. Should any corporate malfeasance or gross negligence occur the FAA may revoke the managers certificate and bar them from working at an airline or aviation related field. This would prevent Gordon Gekko's from hopping from one airline to the next ruining lives for their own gain.
I would start the 12 hour "rest period" from when the pilots check into the hotel.
Additionally, while I wouldn't require an ATP, I would create a new license called the "SIC ATP". The certificate would be required to act as an SIC on any 121 air carrier The mins would be 1500 total time, 100 night, 100 instrument, 200 cross country, and a minimum of 100 hours of multi or 50 hours of simulated turbine time or 75 hours of a combination of both. The pilot must pass the ATP written with an 80% or higher. The pilot would also be required to hold an active commercial pilot's certificate for 3 years before applying for the certificate. Afterwards, the pilot MUST obtain their PIC ATP within 5 years of their date of hire.
An airline may furlough a pilot, however, they must provide health coverage, and pay them a minimum of 1/2 of last years pay.
I would eliminate the use of the seniority system in it's entirety
Oh and free ice cream.
