Once you have your 500 hours there is a distinct possibility the only job available will be a summer contract with no flying in winter. It may suit some. But you could end earning less overall than an FO on a fulltime contract! It will sadly probably take some serious accidents for anything to change. But realistically only legislation by the authorities is going to stop this race to the bottom. Appealing to airlines and pilots not to go down the pay to fly route is in all likelyhood not going to work.
Last edited by lederhosen; 7th April 2013 at 12:52.