Not to mention that while the aircraft are smaller. regional dispatchers do the same amount of flights if not more as domestic desks at the majors for 40% or less of the pay starting with the top out at the regionals being less than starting at the majors. From what I have heard, regional salaries used to be competitive with the majors and somewhere along the line it was decided that the majors needed a substantial pay raise while the regionals were fine getting 30 or 40 cents. With the stagnation of regional pay and the increasing economy it has gotten to the point that companies like Costco have raised their starting pay to the same level as dispatch. I'm not saying they don't deserve that pay. What I am saying is that the love of aviation mixed with the carrot being dangled in front of us of MAYBE one day being hired by a major has allowed a stressful, specialized profession with a $4-$5000 entry fee essentially regress to the point that it is almost more lucrative to work at a retail store.
And don't even let the "free flights" fool you. With the modern populous wanting cheaper flights and the airlines right-sizing their aircraft to the routes, you look 2 days ahead of time and the flights are all oversold. Lucky for us that we have the privilege to ride up front where the jumpseat is almost smaller than an economy seat, especially on regional aircraft. But, what if you wanted to go somewhere with family? You pretty much have to buy tickets to have a chance of everyone making it.
It's gotten to the point that I have to do some soul searching with what I want to do if I can't make it to a major in the next year or 2. With a 4 year degree comes the inevitable student loans these days. When 1/3 of you paycheck goes to those and you are forced to have a roommate to even get your rent down to another 1/3 of your paycheck it gets frustrating. Throw in gas, insurance, 401k, etc and you barely get left with 2 nickles to rub together to go somewhere with those "free flights" that they are essentially worthless to you.
So yes, I believe that UPS should at least get near the level of the major passenger airlines, but I also believe that the dispatch groups in the rest of the industry need to catch up a bit also. Maybe not as much, but at least show that the companies value their dispatch groups.
[/rant]