Originally Posted by
KC10 FATboy
+1 Slowplay. The jetBlue pilots have a great product; however, they are compensated below average. Ironically, they seem to be one of the happier pilot groups out there.
The rest of this industry needs the jetBlues and SWAs to significantly raise the bar. Otherwise, we aren't restoring this profession.
There seems to be limited connection between pay and pilot happiness. JetBlue is a prime example.
UAL, AAA, and DAL all had industry leading pay this decade (AAA only lasted about 2 months). Those were some of the most contentious times at each of the carriers.
LUV consistently paid 60-70% of industry average hourly pay, but growth and profit sharing along with great labor relations (requires both sides to play) kept that group very content for 35 years. UPS guys went from relatively low wages in the early 90's to where they are today. Pilot happiness there hasn't seemed to go up. Look at the regionals, where (just one example)RAH guys aren't paid what they're worth but seem happy to do the job because of growth and upgrades.
I guess certain management and labor groups have found a different paradigm. I know I'm happier now at Delta making slightly less than I did in 2005 because it looks like we finally have a plan to win. We just need a couple of breaks for that to happen. If, however, there's not a payoff to the colaboration in either growth or compensation (I see one in what they're currently doing, no major backsliding/furloughs), then it will be tough to maintain this path.