I can't understand why people get so tied up on the first years pay rate for pilots. Of course its going to be crap, have a look at other jobs, your not going to be making top dollar in most company until you work your way up. You might say you've taken out a big loan for your job, well most american's have huge loans to repay after they leave college, its apart of life for them, if you want this job bad enough then you'll get it.
I do agree that people seriously need to have their eyes wide open when taking on training and the job. Its scary how little people know before starting their training.