Originally Posted by
mngmt mole
It's the attitudes displayed above that results in certain airlines becoming career ghettos. You only have to look at the very profitable US airlines for the example we should all be insisting on. Southwest Airlines seems to have no problem catering to the "cost conscious" traveler, and at the same time paying first world pay and associated benefits, a proper rostering system, health care and most important of all, positive management/employee relations (oh, and massive profits....). The difference is a management that values its employees, treats them properly and respects their contribution to the overall growth and prosperity of the airline. If you want to compare yourself to the bottom feeders...have at it. You'll undoubtedly succeed in reaching those lofty heights.
While you're certainly correct that airlines can indeed thrive while paying livable wages, it needs to be said why. Delta, United, American, Southwest etc.. do not pay what they pay because they WANT to, they pay that because they HAVE to.
Why do they HAVE to? Because the pilots (and other employee groups) are extremely organized and maintain their leverage. Something that has taken many years and in some cases some hard lessons. They have hard fought contracts that protect agains management threats and strategies as well as potential management threats.
Never forget why management and "leadership" is there. To make money. Only two ways to do it. Make more, or spend less. Strong labor unions ensure one of those options is more or less off the table.