I'm quite shocked - these airline wages sound negligently low to me, and I'd happily pay more for airline tickets to ensure decent wages (as well as decent maintenance). It sure sounds like corporate $queezing gone mad. I am a pretty junior govt public servant currently grossing close to the equivalent of $US 6000 a month - pretty much standard hours, eight-hour day, no stress, no everyday risk other than a 10 minute drive to work. Four weeks rec leave and four weeks personal/sick leave a year. There is something wrong here. Mind you, I am oppressed in a sick, self-serving, hierarchical system, and bored other than the occasional work gig that involves travel!