As airlines struggle to find staff to meet overwhelming demand some are forced to use methods they had never considered before: paying them fairly and treating them well.

One anonymous airline CEO said he never thought he would see it. We have to treat them well and give them a decent wage. The times are changing.

Most airlines can't hire fast enough as they struggle to adequately serve travel demand. Nearly every airline has had to cancel or delay flights due to pilot and crew shortages.

Airline CEOs are going to have to get creative because they are in a tricky situation. Several companies are experimenting with a new model to increase employee retention and improve the hiring landscape: actually treating their staff well and paying them a fair wage.

Is it possible that it will work? Airline CEO's are questionable. One CEO said that this will not work. There is a dangerous precedent being set here. People should be paid a fair wage. Is it possible to treat them with respect. Is it possible to give them decent benefits. It's irresponsible to change the face of the travel industry.

In a meeting with 19 other white middle-aged male executives, a junior executive at United Airlines raised her hand after being browbeaten by the COO on hiring trends. She asked if we would pay them a decent wage and not treat them badly.

The COO wiped tears from his eyes after 39 minutes of laughing from the other executives. It is so crazy that it could work.