I saw a local classified ad today for an instructor looking for students. The instructor was offering free instruction. Nothing bothers me more than pilots working for free to build time. Why do we undercut ourselves for experience. If we are that poor with our experience than I suggest we get another rating or some additional training. Pilots need to get paid for what we do. We are professionals. It is okay to charge for what we do.
This industry is not going to pay pilots what we are worth until we stop working for free, paying to be a first officer, accepting below minimum wage pay, and WORKING FOR FREE. It is hard to attract smart people to this industry when they see what pilots make. Why work as a pilot when you can make a good living doing something else and then you can learn to fly for cheap from an instructor giving away lessons.
Maybe I am alone in thinking that if pilots could come together and realize that we are underpaid then we could make a stand and improve our situation. A wise pilot I work for once asked when I was considering a job, "Is that how much he values his life." I was thinking of flying this doctor, and he wasn't paying as much as I wanted. People put their life in our hands, and we are trusted with getting them home safely. Why then are we being paid peanuts when we have a priceless job? I believe it all comes down to our willingness to work for free. We can get paid really well if we realize that we control the pay scale.
Its time for pilots to come together. Lets start getting things going. I wouldn't know what to do to improve things, but I would like to hear what you all have to say.