Really? You're really going to use a chart showing inflation adjusted rates in a discussion about whether our pay increases over the decades represent a boom/bust cycle?

I've never discussed our historical rates in the context of being adjusted for inflation. That is another topic entirely.

The facts are that since 1978, pilot pay rates have seen nice steady increases with an occasional step down, followed by steady increases. Until the world changing events of 9/11. That is NOT a boom/bust cycle. When I was a newbie in the late 70's, I recall my airline's 747 captain pay had just cracked the incredible $100 per hour figure, and it was near the best in the industry. ALPA and its pilots have a lot to be proud of for maintaining the steady upward trend for all these decades up to 9/11. The characterization of boom/bust is simply wrong. And to use an inflation adjusted chart to make your case about pay rates is disingenuous at best.

Carl