The current 10 year salary at WestJet is $115,000. If you participate in the employee share ownership plan, you can add another 20% to that. There is also the option grant. There is the Profit Sharing which has done very well in 8 of the last 9 years. Plus about $7,200 in non-taxable per diem.
The guy that has been here 10 years, has probably participated in the ESOP, and has the options granted over the last 10 years to do with as he pleases. Some have diversified and spread the risk, some have let it ride. All to one's own risk tolerance.
It is an innovative way of compensating the Pilot group. When times are tough, the company is protected by the salary structure. We have had no layoff's, wage roll-back's or down-grades due to "economic forces". When times are good, the profit share, the lift in share price make us some considerable coin.
It's not for everybody, but for those who can think outside the box, it can be very lucrative.
Cheers.
As for "churn rate" we have had some guys leave for greener pastures as you say. Of late I have not heard of too many. We have a ground-school going later this month and I believe one a month for the remainder of the year.