This will stir up a whirlwind, but as a non pilot looking in, reading what some pilots 'think' they are worth, feel that I must make these comments.
Why does it seem that some pilots believe that the current market conditions do not apply to them, as stated there are many long hour captains sitting around un-employed as well as younger low hour pilots, and if YOU ran an airline and need a pilot and had the choice of a 5000 hr who will cost 8 - 10 grand a month, against a 250 - 300 hr pilot, costing 3 - 4 grand, who will achieve the same end result, who would you utilise ?
As in a lot of markets at the moment there is an over load of pilots in the system, so airline management can offer lower wages as there will always be applicants, guys that cannot afford to sit on high horses complaining that the offer is crap (while they are in employment), these other guys have families, mortgages, bills to pay, bank managers to keep happy, all the usual stuff, so they NEED a job and are willing to take anything for an income. As they say ' While you are employed you can always look for alternatives'.
So it seems that some of you would not get out of bed for 4500-5000 a month plus extras, as a contracted pilot because a burger flipper can get that (he wishes, divide that by at least 4). The perks of contracting and having a good accountant can make that amount worth a lot more than having permenant employment and it leaves you in control of your options.
Another point about wages, next time you talk to your engineers ask them what their basic wages are, before London weighting, shift pay, approval pay and overtime for a 40 hour week (burger flipper divided by @3). You definitely would not be getting out of bed for that amount - and you would not need to, without them.
As in most industries these days, the accountants rule the roost, with bottom line figures and payments to share holders taking priority, gone are the days of elitist pilots, they are now employees, just like the rest, there to do a job and justifying the amount they are getting paid.
Sorry if this upsets a few people, but as an 'unregistered ' unemployed, because of small pension and part time working wife, not entitled to benefits, aircraft mechanic, that some think they are worth more than is offered, try unemployment for real, then see if these offers seem so low.