Welcome to the next century.
THE only way to keep the airline pilot profession anywhere NEAR what it once was is to ORGANIZE UNIONS, STRIKE and be ready for anything.
I also include changing laws to allow strikes much more easily and system wide SOS (suspension of service) around the world if not just the nation.
In the USA, the president can declare an emergency, appoint a panel, and order pilots back to work.
With a republican jerk in office in the USA, we the pilots are hosed for the next couple of years...but wait till 2009...save something for your own strike fund and BAM.
ANYONE who wants to know what being a JET PILOT for a good airline needs to see the old movie, "SUNDAY IN NEW YORK" with Jane fonda, Clift Robertson (pilot) and a fine cast.
THAT should be the blueprint for our lifestyle! :-)
jon