Giving you 1970 paycheck numbers to you gentlemen would mean nothing.
How many hours flight pay did it take to pay rent, food, gasoline then...?
All I can say, first year was murder (in USA) but starting second year was OK.
xxx
If compared to today's figures, 1970 was much better.
A third of your monthly paycheck would pay for your housing...
The second third would be enough for food and a few beers.
And the last third would pay for a decent car, gasoline, insurance.
Dont forget, we also had benefits, such as medical and retirement.
Travel benefits galore. Commuting from home to base never a problem.
I lived in Los Angeles, based JFK or MIA, often visited BRU...
xxx
My car was a used car, yes, a '67 Mustang in Los Angeles.
Lived in a rented apartment in West Hollywood -30 minutes drive from Malibu.
I shared a studio with 2 other pilots in NYC, often alone, our rosters different.
Even had an old '62 Corvair as "airport car"... Yes...! I had 2 cars...!
xxx
Then all blew up... October War Middle East OCT 1973... Furlough...
Deregulation 1979, recall delayed, airline merges... Commuting overseas base.
Shall I mention DEC 1991, when my airline (PanAm) went bust...?
xxx
Would I become an "airline pilot" if I was 20 years old today...?
No... HELL NO...
What I would do now, is own a TRTO, a simulator, and sell 737 training.
And laugh my way to the bank with the money of wannabees...
xxx
Happy contrails