CEOs and upper management continue to increase their salaries, while at the same time, they are laying off staff and reducing the pay, conditions and pensions of those staff that remain.
Just a few examples
Qantas CEO pay rise of 27%. Salary 6.1 Million
Yet he was adamant pilots pay would not increase last year. Hes also started up low cost (ie lower pay for all staff) Jetstar.
http://www.travelmole.com/stories/105691.php
United CEO pay increase and shares 13 - 39.7 Million.
"United Airlines employees have taken their discontent with the disparity between their pay and their CEO's to the company's shareholders — picketing the annual meeting in May 2007. The union leaders protested that while their workers were still being paid the lower wages agreed upon in bankruptcy, United Chairman and CEO Glenn Tilton had negotiated a new contact and even larger pay package reportedly worth $39.7 million. According to THE NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT, "during [its] three-year reorganization, the carrier slashed thousands of jobs, scrapped pensions and cut wages up to 50 percent for its hourly workers. The wage cuts United negotiated with its unions last another three years."
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/06082007/profile.html
A third level operator in Aus (Rex) is complaining he cannot get enough pilots. He is also complaining other airlines (that are paying more than he pays) are POACHING his pilots. Arrogance?
He is demanding the Government step in.
These same Airlines managers have taken advantage of pilots for years. They required 1500 to 3000 hours to get a job. Paid rubbish money. Worked the crew as hard as they could. Some even intimdated them with sacking if they didnt do as the airline wanted. Sometimes illegally (not necessarily implying Rex ).
They didnt want Government intervention before to ensure pilots got a fair deal.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-23349,00.html
There is a shortage now not only because airlines are expanding (mainly low cost), but perhaps because new potential pilots do not see the rewards for the work they would be required to do. Therefore they take their career in a more lucretive direction. They can always hire or buy a small plane to fly to indulge their flying interest and at the same time have a better paid job with more time at home.
Being away from home for much of the year wears very thin once the novelty of flying a big jet wears off.
Incredible how these managers bleet when they cannot retain pilots after screwing them for so many years.
The shortage of pilots is because of these managers screwing the pay and conditions down for so many years. Why invest all that money to start on such a low salary. At the same time watching all these lower paying, low cost carriers taking over, pushing pay and conditions down further.
You can expect to pay for jet ratings now out of your own pocket.
Low cost carriers model is partly based on not using airbridges, no meal, no seat allocation, small luggage allowance etc. The reality is lower pay, increased working hours, fewer benefits and no or little pension.
Once you stop working you have no income. Much like many contract jobs. These contract jobs for expat have also fallen why behind. Pilots have to make enough money during their contract for their retirement as there is no pensions. This is simply not happening.
The current expansion will not last forever. Pilots need significant increases to pay and conditions now to make up for recent years. You can expect further cuts in the future once pilot numbers are met.
Someone made a valid comment. I cant find anyone to cut my grass. clean my toilet. Reality I cant find anyone to cut my grass. Clean my toilet for $2.00 an hour. Pay up or shut up.
Other jobs pay have increased over the last 20-30 years. Airline pays have reduced.
Unbelievable arrogance?