As a mid-life career changer who has recently joined the airline pilot profession I strongly support EI pilots for protecting their terms and conditions. The way that the status and conditions of pilots is being eroded so that airlines can undercut each other on fares is insane.
Not very long ago pilots were considered well paid compared to other professions but not anymore -as an example:
Average GP salary UK Jan 2007 £118000
Average Consultant salary 2007 £126142
Average IT Consultant/Project Manager £65 000 (Salaried)
Average accountant £100k (Range £30k-£200k)
There's more at:
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/ddrbev2005~annex3
Now I'd dread to think what the average airline pilot is getting nowadays but I'd be surprised if the average was much over £60k because so many of us are now working in the low cost sector. Frankly I resent having to put up with lesser terms and conditions so that my Sister in Law who works in international finance and earns £280 000 a year can fly around on the cheap)
What the public needs are capable, highly trained, motivated, well rested airline professionals at the sharp end of a 100 tonne jet with souls on board, the only question is whether they are prepared to pay for them.
Desk-pilot