The postings so far show why we have such low pay! If they are aiming for 27 in the US we shold be aiming for 35. The US tax is lower as is the cost of living. If we start at 35 it will be knocked back to 30, if we start at 22 we will be knocked back to what we earn now.
A spotty FO with 200 hours walks in to 45K plus expenses. After 20 years as a LAE we generally wll take what ever is offered. MAEL & BA have always shafted LAEs & offered inticements to the mechanics so they will vote to accept the pay rise & because of the mech / LAE ratio the mechs get a pay rise & we geta pittance.
We need to stand apart from the mechs if we are to get what we are worth. There is a shortage of LAEs out there, so lets not forget that when we talk about wages.
Remember we have always been our own worst enemies!