Hi Rananim,
I know that some B744 skippers in the UK earn less than $6000 per month. Yes they can go and earn similar figures to what you quoted by contract flying, but people need to realise that we are not all on the same salaries as the US majors. As far as the Ek situation goes, it was always going to be a difficult decision for the management. Perhaps they should have contracted it out until suitably qualified people became available.