If you've followed the airline industry for the past couple decades you'd know that airline pilot is one of the lowest paid skilled job you can have. It's like teacher. These are some of the most important jobs in society, yet they are getting paid peanuts. It's up there with teachers in the category of jobs that should pay way more. Why do they do it? Because they love to fly. Because someone has to do it. Because they come from a long line of pilots. Who knows? They deserve a living wage no matter what.
This cartoon shows just how desperate the situation has become. Here you have pilots panhandling at the airport. When you have to ask for charity it's one thing. When you have to ask for charity while at your place of work, that's another.