And what will your baristas be earning in ten years time
They will probably be earning exactly the same as you.
I think you may have missed the point - or I did not make myself as clear as I could have.
It is this simple - non skilled labour is earning more than skilled AND invested labour. You have spent many years gaining a licence and maintaining it and upgrading it at considerable cost. You have taken the risk and invested in yourself as a business. Your licence is a business. Just like a plumber or electrician or a doctor. Lose your licence and you are out of business!!!
Let us take the example of a doctor. 6 years or so at uni (can do it with Hex these days), and then a few as an intern or similar under someones guidance doing a specialist. Kind of sounds like GA. Then after that you try to set yourself up in a clinic (preferably attached to a hospital) in a partnership. Only those who have a bit of brains and skill get invited into the club at the clinic - hey just like an airline!! And then you get a return on your investment. But it is not just raining gold coins - you have to work and maintain your skills. And it all comes in due course. That is why specialist charge an arm and a leg - to pay costs and return on their investment and lost wages.
Now - back to airlines. If things do not progress and expand - there is a good chance in 5-10 years you just might be earning the same wage "in real terms" that you are earning right now. If it all goes well - you might just double your money - but that is not exactly hard off a very low base wage.
Now - why would anyone pay more when you are attempting to justify there lowest offer? Kind of like saying to the bank "I understand that you have to make money, justify expenses etc and that 11% interest on my mortgage is alright with me - no need to negotiate on that. Not the best deal in town, but your branch is just around the corner and you are convenient although I could get a better deal down the road. "
Rather I would say "You got a hell of a lot of my money with you - you better give me the going worldwide rate - or I will take my money elsewhere. I am perpared to go and get the best rate."
On the back of my beer coaster - I add the figures.......8 years or so at GA wages then real airline position with increasing wage adjusted for inflation etc through to retirement. Then I add up short time in GA and then crap airline wages through to retirement adjusted for inflation etc
Do your own maths and see what you come up with. If you want it all now you get less return in the long term.
I am not trying to take the crap out of anyone or give them a hard line. Just trying to show an alternative point of view about "business".
You are a business. You are only worth what you think you are worth.