When I started traveling to Latin America a few years ago, I noticed that passengers always thanked the bus driver when exiting. I liked this practice and it made sense: The driver gets you where you need to go--hopefully unscathed.
I thought about it: It made sense to also start thanking my pilots.
Remember Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger? The US Airways pilot who landed an Airbus full of passengers in the middle of the Hudson River? Of course. Do you remember when he told Congress that his pay had "been cut 40 percent" in recent years, his pension terminated and that he would not recommend his profession to anyone he knows?
In the Michael Moore documentary "Capitalism: A Love Story," a pilot named "Susan," states that she made $19,000 in her first year, and maybe $23,000 in the second or third year flying for a regional.
I don't know about you, but I hope the pilot on the plane I'm riding on makes more than $23,000. Heck, I hope he or she makes more than $50,000.
According to FltOps.com, an information source for pilots, first-year pilots at US Airways would, theoretically, earn a minimum $21,600 a year. Over at JetBlue, the lowest top-scale captain's salary is $133,308, but salaries are $231,231 for flying boxes for United Parcel Service, according to its most recent survey. (The salaries can be higher depending on how many hours the pilot flies.)
I know, I live in a capitalist society. I understand the airlines are hurting, which is how I've been able to travel all over the place for relatively cheap. I'm somewhat conflicted, but I do want want the person who has my safety in his hands to be well compensated. I hope the least of his concerns when he's working is how to put food on the table. Nor, do I want him flying tired.
Perhaps I'll stop complaining about baggage fees.
Meantime, thank you, Captain. (Thanks to the bus drivers, too.)
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