[alasdair_]

>The airline industry is unprofitable mainly because the pilots capture most of the money. Their union gives them nearly unlimited pricing power.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary of a Commercial Pilot is $73,490 per year.

This seems low given the sheer number of hours of training involved.

[nradov]

The average is meaningless. New regional airline co-pilots barely earn enough to eat. Senior captains for major airlines are paid very, very well.

[Pyxl101]

Why would that be? Is there a difference in competence significant enough to warrant such a difference in pay?

[Robotbeat]

Consider that senior pilots are flying the biggest, most expensive planes with the most passengers and the most revenue. Even slight improvements in competency or safety look pretty good when you're talking about a 747 which costs the airline $400 million.

[nradov]

Competency and safety are relatively minor factors. The real reason is that senior pilots control the unions and airlines have to stop operating if pilots strike.

[prakster]

Solution: Self driving planes.

[rspeer]

Not to mention that they're frequently away from home.