I must agree. Most that sign up for this job did it because they just had to fly. "Beats working for a living", "Corner office with a view", and whatever else is said about it has lured folks in and keep the lines perpetually long despite the high barriers to entry. Most want to do it because they love to fly and complain because it'd be great if the paycheck matched the fun.

However, it is getting increasingly difficult to make it in this career. Despite the ideals that people wish for - well rested pilots, ultra trained, ultra experienced, large airplanes for every flight, brand new equipment, etc, when it comes to paying up the money for these things, from a mass scale viewpoint, it will NEVER happen. Couple that with that fact that there are just too many players in the game, none with significant market share, the competition among airlines prevents any attempt at raising prices. Colluding is illegal, so that won't work either.

If another 9/11 happens in the future, the security rules will get even tighter, making that trip to work even more painful - despite the stripes on your shoulders and the requisite background check.

Those who stick around even when all indications continue to show decreased working conditions and greater strife within the industry have either made the decision to ride it out despite anything else, are merely hoping for a miracle (which will likely not happen), or are just turning the other way.

The next group of airline pilots are in the flight schools now, longing to get out of the 172 and into your seat for crap pay and ultimate responsibility. The difference between them and you is that they've only seen the shiny brochures pushed at them by profit seeking flight schools.