These days airlines are run by people with no previous experience in the industry. They are itinerant directors who seek to enhance their City reputations before scurrying off to their next high profile appointment.
Pilots, like any other employee, are simpy costs to be shaved and trimmed to what they consider to be an appropriate level. This is happening in every industry and every employment group.
The problem with pilots is that that represent one of the largest employment groups in the company, and certainly the most expensive (as a group). With modern technology appearing to trivialise our contribution to daily operations, it's easy to see why these directors want to reduce our status to something more appealing on their balance sheet.
We are (mostly) well paid because we make a significant contribution to the statistic that flying is the safest form of transport. But an accountant would argue that techology has enhanced reliability and safety in a way which far outstrips our own development. They would assert, therefore, that things go wrong far less that they once did, and as such, we should be paid less.
I don't agree with their logic, but I can at least understand it. I worry that, left unchecked, airline bosses will continue to drive our status (and with it our terms conditions) further and further down with every rotation of CEO.
I think we have a monumental struggle on our hands over the next decade or so, simply to cling on to what we currently have: a respected profession.
The quoted author has a point: flying has had its day.