Flying just isn't that hard compared to other professions.
That's a debatable issue,
R405. The act of flying an aeroplane isn't particularly difficult for most people, but not all.
And just as there are certain "tiers" in the other professions, eg. law - articled clerk, lawyer, barrister, QC, Judge - or medicine, nurse, intern, G.P., specialist, Mister - there are similarly various "tiers" in the profession of flying.
As a matter of fact, there would probably be MORE tiers in aviation than in perhaps ANY other profession (that I can think of).
And so as easy as it is for a PPL with an instrument rating to consider himself just a short flight removed from the professional, multi-crew, multi-engine pilot, the REALITY is quite different, as is the vast difference in knowledge and areas of responsibility between the two.
The requirements of flying are not ONLY of a manipulative nature, but also an ability to make vital decisions quickly in what may be rapidly changing conditions and to accept the responsibilty for those decisions.
If flying were not considered to be a challenging occupation - but rather, a more passive one, such as those listed earlier, where the time to make a decision is often NOT critical and may be pondered by hours, days, or even months before arriving at a final one (which may be further challenged!!) - then pilots would not be subjected to the regular, ongoing, rigorous checks of ability and suitability to retain their jobs.
As in any profession, EXPERIENCE counts, however this seems not to be recognised by some aviation employers - and some pilots.
How many QC's would agree to work for a customer at articled clerks rates?
What would be the reply of an Orthodontist if you asked him to agree to work for the same money as his dental nurse? "
you!!"?
More to the point, what would be Geoff Dixon's respose if you asked HIM to continue, but on an accountant's salary?
The problem today is, it is not PILOTS who are setting the remuneration levels and sticking to them - we are allowing OUTSIDE forces to do that.
Again 1989 (I'll say it), showed that there are pilots who think so little of their peers - and of themselves - that they will undercut/sabotage the mainstream to try to gain an advantage.
How many of you would choose a "cut price" Doctor without wondering WHY he was forced to undercut his peers?