@ 411A
This belt tightening you're talking about is killing off the whole aviation sector, the job I chose and love ain't the same anymore by a long shot and it's a big shame.
Pilots deserve their money and I say again deserve the money they get paid because of high responsibilities and always putting their life on the line (not withstanding how safe airliners may be these days). Low cost has given lots of guys a shot/break but it's put the flair of this profession in a whole different light.
So dont f***** it's a good thing, cos it ain't.
I hope for United they can make things happen with sensible cost savings etc. BA has done it so I believe can any international carrier (read: intercontinental carrier)
Safe flying!