Obama salutes George Bush's promised end of US combat

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Platapus

But clearly the market is setting the salaries at the level the market can handle.

If thats the case explain the dozens of million+ dollar bonuses and salaries to mid level managers.

I blame low regional pilot salaries primarily on three things

1. Large aviation universities are selling high school kids the idea that you will graduate and immediately get a job at FedEx or American Airlines earning $150K anually

2. High school kids are buying that nonsense in bulk and the 22 and 23 year old graduates of said programs are willing to work for whatever bread they can get to pay off the $180,000 school loans.

3. Airlines, specifically regional level airlines know both 1 and 2 above and dictate the terms of pay accordingly thats why you have some airline workers making hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars... and others making less than a typical garbage collector.

Originally Posted by Platapus

I thought that was what you liked?

you got this impression from where exactly? is it because im not an Obamaphile socialist?

Originally Posted by Platapus

Is the government, somehow, mandating low salaries for regional pilots?

actually recent legislation sought to increase hiring minimums and thus also increase salaries.

Originally Posted by Platapus

I know this is your industry and, of course, you think it should have a large salary.

To the contrary, i think a pilot should be reasonably expected to not have to be on food stamps (as MANY are)

I think a fair opening salary for a 2nd year first officer would be approximately $35,000 with a cap of about $50K at 10 years seniority... thats not an unrealistic pie in the sky number, and it is substantially better than the $20,000 they are making to start and the current $35K give or take as a cap.

Originally Posted by Platapus

If it were up to me, I would wave my magic wand and pay every airline pilot $100K+ for their job is skilled and requires a lot of experience to keep people safe. But I don't have a magic wand, all I have is a (almost) free market which sets your and my salaries.

thanks, I also think the free market has a lot to do with the setting of wages... however, i think it also has a lot to do with the overall climate behind the scenes of a specific industry - as in this case it does... heavily.

Originally Posted by Platapus

We often think we are worth much more than our bosses do.

depends on the boss... i have had a few who have told me verbally of my worth to a specific company and who have desired to pay me more but couldnt etc.

what you have said here is true of most any profession though