Our role is much less vital. Without a surgeon, people will die of many diseases or ailments. Without a pilot, people drive to their destination.

Also, if it wasn't readily apparent, we aren't slicing open an ill persons chest or messing with vital organs.

That's not the point. Anyone with money or the ability to obtain a loan can become an airline pilot, and until recently, some as early as 18 or 19 years old. There are no surgeons that young here. A surgeon takes 4 yrs college, 4 yrs med school, then a 4-6 year surgery residency, maybe a fellowship, and finally one becomes a full fledged surgeon. A surgery residency is one of the hardest to land and surgeons (although not always) typically represent the top of their class in med school. There's no comparison between an airline pilot and a surgeon. "Lives depending on me" is a moot comparison.

Many of us have 4 year degrees, 2 years of flight school and CFI...building time flying otherwise, ground school, sim time. Maybe this job doesn't take as much as being a surgeon but as far as time its pretty close not to mention the money we spent.

That's what regional pilots don't want to face...... that their JOB is and entry level position into the world of airline flying. There are many factors that have caused the regionals to grow to the size they are today, but the fact remains that it is an entry level job and is not designed to be a career. If you want to have higher starting pay, then you are going to have to have higher entry requirements than what is required today. Most newhire regional F/Os are barely "worth" what they are getting paid today.

Lol nice avatar! He puts on a damn funny concert. One of these days when I'm bored I'm gonna write a song based on "Jubilation Day" about leaving the regional airlines.

First of all, I'd love to see a real-world example of an 18-year-old airline pilot.

Secondly, I strongly disagree. Having money or the ability to obtain a loan is not the only quality one must possess in order to become an airline pilot. Flying a multi-turbine aircraft in all kinds of weather demands a certain skill set far above the ability to just obtain a loan.

You think too highly of yourself. This job is EASY.

Says the cocky know-it-all right before SHTF. You get over-confident in this job, that's when people get hurt.

This job is not "easy." It might be routine after while -- but so are angioplasties and colonoscopies. Flying a heavy across the tracks and shooting a non-precision approach into a nonradar environment where the controllers barely speak English (when they're even awake) is not easy.

While regional pilots may not do the above, they face their own threats everyday.

Ya until shiz hits the fan