Odd, it might seem to the casual observer....but in smaller companies, employee morale is far better.
We had one pilot report sick for one month, with a doctors certificate of course, yet he was paid his full salary, and...end of contract bonus.
Senior Captains are paid big bucks, and not just during the contract, either.
They are paid a retainer during non-flying periods as well, to ensure their availability when the next contract is issued...and that can be on very short notice.
First Officers, likewise.
Flight Engineers, ditto.
Ground Engineers? Yup.
Generally speaking, the larger the airline company becomes, the less FD crew are treated with the respect they deserve.
And, it ain't likely to change, anytime soon.
