Cat II
"....the actual cost to the traveling public in "fuel surcharges" on the airfaires. I doubt very much this same understanding public would swallow a "Pilot Pay Raise" surcharge on airfares....."
Unfortunately, there is a 'cost' to the airlines for having 'professionally flown aircraft' just like there is a cost for oil, tires, catering etc.
The 'travelling public' doesn't have a say in management compensation or their pension/bonusses/golden parachutes either. They want everything for nothing. Time to wean them off this.
Just as you (hopefully) won't go to the cheapest heart surgeon, you'll want the best. They may not come cheap, they will want the best pay for their skills. Its time pilots woke up to this and stopped 'paying' for the fun of flying and got down to business.