Tango - the questions needs to be why are pilots allowed to make so much at DL, UA, AA, CO, etc, while at other smaller airlines (Southwest, commuters, etc.) they're making so much less. I think there is one reason that connects the two together. The management teams at the larger airlines never had the balls to stand up to the pilot's unions and caved in on salaries and other benefits. It was much easier to buy/build the commuters with young pilots making $25k to $50k and balance it all out that way.

From a strict supply/demand evaluation there is no way pilots should be making as much as they are at the large lines. The evidence for that, even prior to this latest downturn, are the salaries paid to the pilots flying jets at the younger airlines (Jet Blue, National, etc.). It's anyone's guess what would happen if company x put an ad in the paper for experienced pilots, but cutting payroll by 35% to 50% (here again compared to the big guys) does not seem unreasonable.

It's hard to blame the pilots - they're just getting away with what management let's them.