Originally Posted by
satchip
When you say "how can you be happy making less than SWA" you aren't making a rational argument based on economic worth. Happiness is an emotional, existential state. Ultimate happiness is only achieved by overcoming craving in all forms, according to Buddhist philosophy. Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.
Which brings me to your recurring theme, the bold portion above. You can make several economic arguments about our compensation hinging on worth in the marketplace, but past expectations is probably the least relevant basis for current pay rates one could come up with. The world and the market are not in stasis. Change is the only constant. You can expect a lot of things that may or may not come true. My parents owned stock in an asbestos mine and expected to get rich. Look how that turned out.
History is replete with examples of businesses or professions or trades that expected to be successful in perpetuity but are now confined to the dustbin of history.
I don't know what our market worth or value is. You and I may disagree on the final number. Let's at least base it on solid ground.
What he means by "how can you be happy making less than Southwest makes" is not an emotional happiness. It means that Southwest profitably pays their pilots that much (the market very much supports it), therefore the market can support us making at least the equivalent. As a professional that believes one should be paid fair market value, I can logically follow that we are paid significantly less than we are worth.
Conclusion: Why accept pay, workrules, and outsourcing rules that are so much less than market value?
As a follow on- Sure we have more infrastructure, but they cannot command business class and international fares either.