Gidday Ref.
I guess I was talking pure dollars (relative) rather than the growing imbalance of the Rich vs the Poor. And I agree with you. Your observations regarding the higher wages being paid to professionals (not pilots) and the not so professionals, does however highlight the way in which we have been screwed over the last decades. I think more than ever that only one thing will now re-invigorate the profession.
lemel, I take your point about SARS, 911 etc... And I think some managers are using that scenerio as justification not to compete for pilot labour. Just goes to show the lack of leadership at some of these companies. If it does all go south due to some cataclysmic event then mabye some with no grasp of the situation will breath a sigh of relief. If something terrible doesn't happen however, and they continue down this current path, well..., it's not rocket science.