When I started on B-737 in 2007, we had a good basic salary, per-diems, overtime, sick pay...
And every year, something has been removed. The first year we had 8 days off in a row (commuting) then they changed it to 4 + 4, with the possibility to take 1 holiday, so it became 5 + 5
Then they removed the sick-pay, yet we had to provide a doctor certificate when sick.
Overtime pay was removed, and before we got another per-diem when arriving after midnight, now this was removed as well...
Some of our captain left for other airlines, but I know of at least one captain who quit flying altogether, he said he was fed up about modern aviation and being treated without respect.
Many of the contract pilots wanted to leave, but the were ?
Most coninued only because they had no other job to go to, this does not mean terms & conditions are fair.
Yes, those who have a job should be happy in one way, compared to those who don't have a job, but coditions are getting worse and worse every year...