No, probably couldn't make 75k. Maybe not even 50K or 35K. No one seems to know what a pilot is worth, especially the pilot's themselves. DAL pilots had a huge opportunity to bring the issue of the vanishing wage to the forefront, but they chose the cowards way out. 6000 pilots figured someone else would stand up for them someday. Now they've taken 14% less and ensured that every other airline pilot will face a 14%+ pay cut of their own in the future.
The NW mechanics' strike has failed due mostly to the other union's tacit approval of allowing scab labor on the property. A strike by DAL pilots would very likely result in the permanent job loss of those pilots. And that in and of itself wouldn't change things, but if the NW pilots and CAL pilots and UAL pilots and US pilots forced the issue, then maybe the unravelling of the pilot profession would be more than just a great media spectators blood sport.
The "incredible shrinking paycheck" is not only a problem at DAL, it's a problem in every job in every industry. We've got rampant greed on corporate level and a government that allows it. We've got wholesale export of not only manufactoring jobs but white collar jobs as well (H&R Block sends out the tax returns to India to have them done there). As been said, this goes beyond the scope of union vs non-union.
Each person has to decide for themselves what they will, and will not stand for. I left the industry 6 years ago when Boeing wouldn't pay me more than the grocery stockers were getting. I decided my skills, experience and expertise were worth more than re-stocking shelves. After looking around, I made a decision that if I was going to work for peanuts, I'd do it on my terms. Currently I work for myself. I make very little but I'm not making a greedy fat-cat rich doing it either. After getting a call from UPS out of the blue for their hiring pool (I wasn't even considering working in the industry again), I've decided to look around and see what's out there. I may, or may not return to the industry, it depends on what's offered.
As the saying goes, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." This is an INDIVIDUAL decision. For some, walking away from DAL might be good, for others, no. Yes, it might mean taking a pay cut. I took a HUGE pay cut, but to me it's worth it because I work on MY terms.
For me to leave my home (God's country), close my business and move to the urban jungle, I'm going to have to see some serious dough. Yes, I need the money, but it's more than money that will influence my decision.
