Here's a depressing thought.
I think it might get worse, the writing is already on the wall. Most airline costs are fixed in a narrow range, fuel, lease costs, aircraft prices, interest costs, etc ,etc. The only cost area that is not fixed in a narrow band is employee cost/productivity which varies quite widely.
It will soon become a dog eat dog situation where employees of various airlines are pitted against each other to see who can produce the lowest unit cost. Some people are already paying for their own type qualification.
Free market competition is going to drive down flight crew benefits, and I suspect "automatic" promotions by seniority will be eroded as contract pilot work will eventually replace it.
Age 60 will become irrelevant as promotions will go to the lowest bidder.
G
Damned goalpost moved again.
Last edited by ZQA297/30; 19th Sep 2005 at 22:28.