But is a "live-able" salary acceptable with $100k+ of debt, and an entire lifetime career missing birthdays, anniversaries, school and public holidays with the kids, and half those "days off" walking around like a zombie? Most my friends can plan to do whatever they want on any given weekend for their entire lives, also on very liveable salaries.
I think this is really the issue for the profession and ultimately airlines as a whole. It is not a normal job you sacrifice a lot and if you are only earning what everyone else is or possibly less, what's the point?? Either the lifestyle has to change to come into line with everyone else or you need to get paid more. Then throw into the mix partners trying to work and also both of you managing a family and it becomes a very hard sell.