MikeHotel has hit the nail on the head there.
But money is only half the issue - people established in professions tend to know their worth, and the total lack of respect afforded to pilots at the moment is unbelievable, almost laughable. And it will only get worse due to the growing trend to take cadets over experience.
Having qualified a few years ago (aged 33) I turned down an interview on the basis that I would not (and could not) work in the conditions being offered, not even for 12 months as a stepping stone. It was offensive.
Note : I originally said "people established in other professions" but that implied that "Pilot" is a profession, and it isn't any more :-)
Last edited by clunk1001; 28th Apr 2014 at 08:41.