L-38...
xxx
In the airfreight business, you can make money with "white whales".
Just need one airplane with "chocolate-blue" colors/designs on pictures for advertizing.
Plain metal, lowers BOWs, and provides higher payload capability.
Just paint the lower fuselage in "basic grey" for corrosion protection.
Do you know the cost of design and paint of airplanes...?
Besides, Connie needs that money for his toys (race cars).
Leave the discussion "new colors" for "airline enthusiasts" and similar idiots.
Your call sign is often "another airline" anyway.
xxx
And as far as pilot salaries increase, forget it.
The management will say "we need to compete with UPS and FedEx"...
Yet, he charges the same rate to move freight per ton/mile or kilometer.
So, work for lower salary, or be unemployed.
Some say "there is a pilot shortage"...
The only pilot shortage is those willing to invest $120,000 in training.
Kalitta (among others) competes with McDonald's for low salaries.
xxx
Happy contrails