Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
Not one being in the industry I would have **assumed** (and we all know what that can lead too) that the pay went up with the bigger toys because you were reponsible for a more expensive piece of equipment, more lives (crew and pasengers), more risk (ETOPS), probably in the past the systems and knowledge might have been more complex, and it was just the way the airline went - start out on *smaller* equipment and strive to fly the heavy iron.
I like the idea of same pay based on senority I guess. I have always like the smaller, sleeker looking planes - probably why I have always been attracted to the corporate planes. But then there was a time when I didn't know what I knoew about the Regionals when I would have enjoyed (or thought I would have) gaining seniority in a good regional and staying on there, flying the CRJs/ERJs on shorter legs and because everyone was wanting to move up and out I would be able to gain the seniority that allowed me bid the best route fairly quickly.
But the more time I have spent on this forum in the last few years I have seen, heard, and learned more than I ever did beofre and am now much more knowledgeable about the realities of the industry.
Wags - why do YOU think that the higher pay goes to the bigger equipment?
USMCFLYR
The justification has always been that bigger equipment generate more revenue, which is not an unreasonable method. No practical business model could pay both seats in an RJ six figures...the necessary price increase would scare away a significant percentage of the pax. Conversely any 747 operator should easily afford solid six figure salaries for all crewmembers...if they can't then they are seriously mismanaging their business.
If pay went up strictly with seniority (ie UPS) the company might be hampered if it needed to downsize gauge...less revenue but same labor cost. Alternatively, the company might buy A380's...more revenue, same old labor cost.
This one-payscale system works at UPS because they only fly two types of airplanes...large and larger. For the pilots, seniority is used only for domicile/seat/schedule. Since they are not likely to need to change to smaller airplanes, the system works. If they replace all of the planes with A380's, the UPS pilots are going to be looking for a raise on the next contract (maybe they already have a provision, or a 747 cap)