The basis is because that's where the block union vote was. Profits are not made by experience their made by work. If the company had their way they would lay off the most exp/expensive pilots, that tells you what they think for your ability to be safer due to exp. You do learn more each year, and it does add to your skill set, which you will market in the future for more money, but how does it enable you to produce more work?

I really don't believe that mgmt. has nearly as much as invested in the company as the pilots do. Upper mgmt. receives its income from bonuses tied to the stock price; a higher price does not necessarily mean a well run company. Mgmt. can take a good company, like they did with XJT, and run it into the ground while taking huge bonuses.

Once the results of their mismanagement come to fruiton, they then claim the need for concessions or worse case bankruptcy. In any event, they have lucrative severance packages to protect and sustain them to their next position, but the pilots have what? A 23K/ yr job under dogschitt conditions.

So, no, mgmt. does not have nearly enough invested in their company.

Of course everyone have different definition of "fair"... In my opinion, "fair" wage for F.O would be 70% of C.A pay. Let's say first year CA makes $62/hour (ERJ145 CA), then first year FO should make $43/hour (70% of 62)... 5th year CA makes $69/hour, according to the same logic 5th year F.O should make $48/hour and so on...

http://naceweb.org/s04172013/average...ng-salary.aspx

How about the national median wage for college grads?

Its not that simple unfortunately. You don't put money where you don't have people. For example, if you haven't hired in 8 years.. then you aren't going to have any 4 year captains...no need to pay that slot.. that artificially lowers the 4 year F/O rate, which is not a problem now but will be when you start hiring..

I can't understand why so many pilots want to cheapen themselves down so much. Larger planes = larger revenue. Which equates into more complexity, responsibility and decision making. Think about this as some of you parrot for wages below what had been standard rates.
Say you're flying along, flying along(say 50 seat jet) and you've just hit cat. Now say you're in a top notch crew and you've noticed a temp change, wind direction/ speed or a slight vlimb descent on the vsi and you throw the seatbelt sign on and announcements made. A majority of the public don't wear seatbelts driving so say you get half of the people to put their belts on. You hit cat and fall 1000 ft in 3 secs. Guess what? You just injured 3/4 of your pax. The people not in belts flying around into others with their laptops and such. After you safely and expeditiously landingand get the people treatment you are called into the cp office within a week. There you find all of hr with the cp and he hands you a letter naming you as a defendent in a lawsuit brought by the very same people who didn't put their belts on. Guess what? They want millions. And hr is there to tell you the company will settle but separate themselves from you and your crew leaving you all exposed.
Now, imagine that with larger planes. Do you really want substandard pay for larger aircraft which will not allow you to protect yourself financially?
The joy of flying ended when you got your commercial. You are professionals. You must be paid as such. Do you really think a brain surgeon would go all through his/her training for substandard pay? No. And I wouldn't want that doctor either. Stop cheapening the profession people.

Your union dues is your malpractice insurance. We are professionals, as you say. Professionals have insurance.;)

I interviewed with XJT on May 14th. I was offered an ERJ class of June 23rd. On June 3rd, I got an email asking if I wanted an earlier CRJ class. I said, "no thanks" because of domicile preferences. I then got an email on Jun 9th reminding me that I needed to send my request for travel for my Jun 23rd class. So, there is probably some truth to ERJ slowing down, but so far, I'm still scheduled to start on Jun 23rd. Knock on wood.....

ERJ side is dead man walking.....Nevets can cash in on his malpractice insurance....

There will no hiring on the ERJ side for the rest of the year. You'll show for class and be placed CRJ training.