Original Message

All the pilots that have this same thought really need to look at what's going on in the industry.

When a experienced pilot of over 20 years is offered salaries in the range of 90-110K being a acceptable wage is offensive.

This is why people view helicopter pilots in the United States as blue collar worker no different than a UPS driver.

If you go to Europe, Australia, Canada..., helicopter pilots are professional's.   Paid a professionals wage.

Look at what you have to do every year let alone what you have to do to get into the industry.

Civilian Pilot- 100K training, Military - 6-10 years if you don't go tell retirement.

Every year VFR- medical fail, check ride fail, violation FAA fail...

Every year IFR- everything above plus additional check rides, FAA regulations etc.

Every year Ag pilot- just miss spray one field.. hit a wire...etc

Every year Offshore- Bad wx... over gross... etc

Every Year fire- Company looses contract, miss drop, disliked by fire captain... gone.

The list goes on and on that shows we are professionals and should be treated and compensated as such.

PS- Career pilot of over 35 years flying both military and civilian.