Originally Posted by HalinTexas

I don't think such a raw metric will tell you that much. For one thing, a comparison to miles or hours flown would be necessary with a comparison to number of seats and/or sizes of airplanes. Jets vs. props. Two vs. three man crews. Etc.

Another thing. When the airlines were regulated, the government basically assured that there would be a profit. Ticket prices were exorbantently when compared to the income of the average American. It was a luxury, not mass transit that it is today. "Back in the day" vs. today comparisons of pay in a regulated market will not give an accurate depiction of supply/demand for pilots. It was pretty rare to have a non-ex-military pilot hired into the majors back then.
If you want to really find out what a pilot is worth in terms of salary, outlaw unions and wait a few years to see who's left and what they're paid. I would bet a TRUCK driver would be making as much as an AirBUS A380 driver.