MemeMachineGo!

The one that surprised me most was the airport skycaps. I had no idea that one was expected to tip these people. (And given what the article says, there's no reason to do so.)

I could rationalize the airline pilots' salaries a lot more easily than those of, say, professional athletes. Yes, modern airliners are mostly automated, but the pilots, with their (ideally) years of experience and training, are there to take over in those instances where actions and decisions must be made that cannot be automated. Such instances are statistically rare, but given the number of flights made, the absolute number is actually significant.

A pilot who makes the right decision at the right time could save hundreds if not thousands of lives. I'd say that, plus the effort they have to put in to qualify to fly the planes, plus the inherent stresses of the job, justifies a high salary.

Of course, that's in an ideal world where every pilot is perfectly qualified and competent...

Can't believe they left U.S. Senator and Congressman off the list.

Congresscritters don't become really overpaid until they leave office, and move into the "motivational speaker" category.