MB - Do you have family running SAA? From your posts I find it difficult to derive that you arrived there on merit. Speaking of elite, does SAA employ pilots on merit and qualification alone? If the answer is No - then stop bragging about the elite, since that boat has left the harbour. Other airlines pay their pilots what they deem affordable whilst also bearing in mind skills retention. Their respective unions and management negotiate these structures, taking into account financial results. If SAA take financial results into consideration, you'd pobably have to pay to work at SAA. Don't insult us. There are many pilots in South Africa that are just as capable and professional as SAA's crew. SAA also has quite a few candidates that barely makes the grade, every airline has them, so get of your high horse, like SV said, you are embarrasing your collegues!