Airlines are just using basic economics to ensure decent loads. But they are 'cheating' in that they aren't allowing the same free market rules when paying pilots. But does cheating exist as a concept in this business?
The way I see it, tarik is right in that supply and demand should allow pilots to ask for and get more pay as they become 'scarce'. Unfortunately, this can't apply generally, but instead only to a pilot who has the particular skills set and experience that an airline needs
at that time. Fine for a while, but what happens when you're no longer flavour of the month? Most airlines will not forget that you (as they'll, incorrectly, see it) held them to ransom...
The hell with seniority, how about we all go on contract and just take the money and run?
btw WhiteBear,
No other transit business behaves like commercial airlines. For other transit businesses the ticket price is the ticket price, on a bus, a train, a ferry, or any other mode of transportation, it doesn’t matter if you purchase your ticket 3 months ahead, 3 weeks ahead, 3 days ahead, or 3 minutes ahead of travel, the price is the same
Complete rubbish. You get huge discount on UK rail fares if you book 7days in advance and some discount 24hr in advance. The price of a ticket also changes depending on what time of day/day of week you make your journey.
Now why would the most technically advanced travel industry in the world sell its tickets like used car salesmen?
If it isn't too obvious to say so, used car salesmen sell products, airlines sell services. Incomparable.