To my dismay this problem is getting worse. Old aeroplanes, only paid when you fly, cleaning toilets, verbal abuse, treating pilots like dirt is becoming the norm. Unfortunately those practicing this behaviour have not managed to get far in aviation and are normally bitter disgruntled individuals who could not make it into the airlines. They of course have all sorts of excuses for not making it to where they would like to be.
In the short time that I have been in the industry it appears their backgrounds are made up of early high school exit and those who entered aviation late.
This is the same lot crying a shortage of pilots and students, hoping to attract more students to their flying schools. If the truth be known, there is no shortage of pilots, however the lack of students indicate that the wannabes have worked out that, aviation is not worth it and low pay, dreadful working conditions lie ahead for the majority of pilots entering this field.
Captain high beware.