>> reporter: cnn aviation
analyst mary schiavo said
instead the industry should
focus on improving pilot pay.
>> the starting salary for
teachers in the united states of
america is about $35,000.
whereas the starting salary for
pilots is $22,000 or $24,000.
so if we accept the notion that
teachers are underpaid, then
pilots are way underpaid.
>> reporter: especially when you
consider the average pilot
spends tens of thousands of
dollars in training before they
start making any money.
>> i think that the industry
will have to find a way to make
the the transition from starting
to be a professional pilot to
being that experienced pilot a
little bit easier.
you know maybe increasing pay.
having some more incentives to
continue with the program.
otherwise, people are going to
lose motivation.
>> reporter: alina machado,