Varig pays between Us$ 3 and 4 thousand per month to Md-11 and B777 captains with more than 20 years seniority. And they still manage to lose money to the point of being almost bankrupt.
GOL (domestic low cost carrier flying B737 NG) pays salaries similar to RG B737and TAM A320 fleets, and more than VASP, is making a huge profit and will pay the equivalent to four monthly salaries as profit sharing this year. Not bad for a 3 year old company.
I guess that is why some people hate GOL...