I know exactly what you're talking about. Kids joining the military these days have a better job than regional pilots do.
I remember when Eastern Airlines started to fail. I have a couple of buddies who were pilots there. Now, they are 60 or 70 and still working at crappy jobs just to make ends meet.
When Eastern fell, it's been pretty much downhill for pilots since then. And yet, those of us who invest in airline stocks have done pretty well for ourselves.....go figure!
I invest in companies that I think will make me money. And everything I say is just my opinion.