Originally Posted by
pudoc
Thanks. Some quick calculations show that the amount in a uk pilot pension isn’t that different to you guys (assuming major uk and major us). But your salaries are frustratingly, significantly higher and I always wonder how that became the case. And how your companies still make big profits with such pay for the workforce.
Good questions. I suppose it comes down to supply and demand, but it sure seemed like there were enough applicants for the majors before the current big union contracts.
The real pressure was at the lower rungs of the industry where people just weren’t willing to work for the peanuts that were being offered. Around 2013 retirements kicked back in after the 5-year lull due to the mandatory retirement age going from 60-65, and at the same time the 1500 hour rule also kicked in (even first officers need to now have at least 1500 hours). The regionals had to increase pay to attract and keep pilots. I guess those increasing wages pushed wages up further up the career ladder.