Originally Posted by
Joachim
There are to many dreamers and romantics in the pilot profession. I don't know how, but many pilots will look you straight in the eye and say that they don't mind the lack of decent wages and poor treatment. Just yesterday, after a four hour unpaid sit, my colleague said: "well this is still better that a day at work". I just don't understand this mentality from a professional and I am embarrased to be a part of such a self devaluating culture. I have realized that there is only one way to change my situation. So, if things don't change in a few years, I will. I'm preparing for it by going back to school. We will see...
You are correct, and airlines and the industry seem to take advantage of this. If I were truly independently wealthy, I would probably have been a Steve Fossett type adventurer / dreamer / romantic (hopefully with a better ending). Flying is enjoyable for so many people, that individuals are willing to put up with all the bad things in the profession to do it.
Keep in mind becoming a doctor is not that quickly done, as it requires 4 yrs college + 4 yrs med school + 1 yr internship + 2 years residency + 3 years specialty (optional e.g. cardiology, endocrinology, etc.) + 2 years subspecialty (optional e.g. neuro-onc, interventional cardiology, etc.) During that time after medical school we are also paid $40-55k, and typically have $100-200,000 in loans. Fully trained, a researching physician earns around $120-180,000, but somebody in private practice can make much bigger amounts of money (like your eye doc
)
I think it is atrocious how pilots are being treated, but the "inelastic supply curve" seems to be one of the contributing factors.
