I couldn't disagree more with this statement! Nobody is lining up to do ditch digging, road paving, roofing, or other labor intense professions for free. Pilots are the only one's lining up to do their jobs for free. How many times have you heard a low timer unwitting say, " I'd do this job for free because I love it so much." This is the attitude that is killing our industry. I am not saying that it isn't ok to love to fly, but why give management more ammuntition to lower the pay.

Here is one more bit of advice that will serve you well if you remember it. Pilots are a nickle-a-dozen. Management has a stack of resume's that if left alone over time would fill the room from floor to ceiling. If you left the company you work for today, they will have you replaced quicker than you could get another job. Even though it is a cycle you go to the bottom of the pile at the next company you apply to. Because management has so many pilots to chose from, and so many pilots would do the job for free, why should pay be better?

In closing, the airline industry could be best compared to the trucking industry. Both industries are competing for a market that demands cheap transportation of people and goods across america. Both industries are affected by high fuel and equipment costs. The cheapest factor in both industries is the workers because there is a high number of people who desire and love the job. If we fix these problems we can then demand to be treated like professionals with a pay that reflects our skill.