[Rocketman99]

For those complaining that no one is actually arguing against pilots making money I will say this. If you're not FOR us making more money as pilots and arguing for it then you are against us. Plain and simple, and most of this thread is people doing just that. Furthermore, if that's the case, then you really don't need to be part of our career field.

There's a big difference between paying dues and living in poverty. While a first year regional FO may be an "entry level" job for the airlines, it is one that involves quite a large amount of risk and puts a large number of lives at stake on a given day. There's not much reason to argue why 19K is not an accpetable amount of money to make as a first year regional airline pilot. If you can't see that without someone explaining it to you you're probably not going to figure it out and I'm not going to waste my time.

As for the changes suggested that may have to be implemented to get close to bringing pay and benefits back to a level they once were 6 years ago, so be it. I don't really see it as anything less than a good thing that suddenly lots of experience would be required to be an airline pilot. Less pilot jobs would not be a bad thing. Flying is not for everyone. Lord knows I've flown with people that should be nowhere near an airline cockpit. Everything is great when the wx is clear and every systme is working like it should. Then again, I could probably train my dead dog to operate a plane in those conditions.

Further, the airlines are NOT the new public bus. Flying is not a benefit for everyone. It's certainly not a right to be entitled to pay some ridiculously cheap amount of money to fly across the country. I'm not gonna shed a tear if suddenly Joe Schmo can't afford a plane ticket. Hell, I'm not gonna shed a tear if I suddenly can't afford an airline ticket. Current fares are so low it's disgusting. Of course, I guess that ties into other opinions like the idea of welfare going away, but that would turn this into a 10 page thesis paper.

It's a shame that my fellow pilots are willing to cut my knees out on pay to get a flying job. Even worse are the ones who realize this yet aren't willing to try to fight to stop it. It's just not right.