Originally Posted by Professor (Post 747198)

I couldn't agree more. The public's general perception of the profession is skewed. Management's perception of our value is skewed.

Moreover, the public's perception of what is appropriate to pay for intercontinental and international travel is INCREDIBLY skewed.

Baggage fees are a brilliant move in a business sense. I know for a fact that departure times have not really been altered by the first round of baggage fees being instituted. The price hike may cause a blip, but I really doubt it.

It allows airlines to firm up some leaky RASM, while not effecting demand because the price-sensitive consumer does not see the costs in online shopping for tickets. Fuel surcharges are similar as well, plus it keeps corporate clients from not paying the increased carrying costs associated with fuel because they buy miles in bulk...and if not for the surcharge would be getting a discount on average ticket prices during extremely high fuel price cycles.

Originally Posted by deltabound (Post 747200)

Actually, over 1800 of them make over $170k/yr, but that's a poor argument to make. They're vastly overpaid, particularly when they're compared to their equivalent counterparts in any other western nation. Paid more than US military generals, more than US doctors, etc. It's madness, but certainly a testament to how a broken union can reconstitute itself and hold the US taxpayer and their deep pockets hostage. Good for them, I suppose. Nice to see one union group kick butt, I guess.

Unfortunately, while I certainly think that pilots should make more, the marketplace sure doesn't seem to think so. Decades of "education" campaigns haven't had any effect, nor is it a matter of "getting the message out". With a median US household income of only about $50,000, pilots who make $75-$120k/year seem pretty well off to most.

Doubly so with an unemployment rate of at least 10%, probably significantly higher.

Anyway, the airlines have to start making money in a big way again first, because until they're profitable, it's kind of a moot discussion.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot (Post 747205)

Isn't the free market a pain! :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by deltabound (Post 747210)

Seriously. You know, I never thought I'd say it, but if I could get in the "way-back machine", I'd structure my aviation career goals around getting a federal pilot job.

Time was, government jobs were comparatively poorly paid, but had good retirements. Increasingly, they're HIGHLY paid, have unbelievable benefits, and early gold-plated retirements.

The free market has morphed into a place for suckers who like lower wages, fewer benefits, NO guaranteed retirement . . . but plenty of taxes to pay for their government equivalents benefits.

(Maybe I need to turn off FoxNews and go drink a few beers, eh? :) )

Originally Posted by deltabound (Post 747200)

Actually, over 1800 of them make over $170k/yr, but that's a poor argument to make. They're vastly overpaid, particularly when they're compared to their equivalent counterparts in any other western nation. Paid more than US military generals, more than US government doctors, government lawyers, etc. It's madness, but certainly a testament to how a broken union can reconstitute itself and hold the US taxpayer and their deep pockets hostage. Good for them, I suppose. Nice to see one union group kick butt, I guess.

Unfortunately, while I certainly think that pilots should make more, the marketplace sure doesn't seem to think so. .

Originally Posted by Superpilot92 (Post 747035)

not to mention more -90's



just remember that this is a small group of guys that have been fighting for years. they seem to live for this stuff :cool:

Originally Posted by rvr350 (Post 747225)

And remember what Johnny used to say, "When I fly, I always take Delta… That’s because they pay their pilots the most money… You don’t want to fly with unhappy pilots.”

How times have changed, for better, for worse. Which one, you decide.