Hahahaha...what delusional fantasy world are you living in?!?!
Do you HONESTLY think that the current system of sub-contracting small aircraft flying is a recent or accidental development? Do you HONESTLY think that if it was cheaper or more efficient for a mainline carrier to fly every route on their own metal that they would still rather outsource that flying? Lets pretend you're even half-right and mainline carriers go back to the system of wholly-owned regional partners, THEY ARE STILL OUTSOURCING FLYING. And you, as a pilot at that wholly-owned regional, are still nothing more than an entry-level B-scale employee.
Why would any mainline carrier want to take on the additional risk and cost of operating their own regional unit when they can contract out that flying for cheaper. Even if they go one step further and bring that regional flying completely in-house and operate the regional aircraft on the same certificate and seniority lists, all you've done is increase your total labor costs (longer longevity), your fleet costs now that you've added a new type to your operation AND your own management overhead now that your operation is that much larger.
When a mainline carrier contracts out with 2 or 3 or 4 different regional carriers they don't care that there are 2 or 3 or 4 duplicated managements or operations people or maintenance or whatever. All they are looking at is a simple cost-comparison. They look at what it would cost them to do the flying themselves (cost A) and what it would cost to pay a small-lift operator to do the flying (cost B). If cost A > cost B then that flying goes to the small-lift operator. It really is as simple as that. They don't call them bean-counters for nothing.
I'm going to hang it all out there and say that Mason brings up some very good points. I agree that there will probably be some consolidation but hopefully not in the direction that Midwest went by getting mainline airplane to be flown by a regional carrier for regional rates thus maximizing profits even more (Mainline in name only).
I wish mainline would take back all of the flying that is not regional flying. STL-IAD, SLC-PIT, SLC-MSY, etc are all regional flights. Some of the regional jets flying these long segments with their high available cost per available seat mile with a high frequency is ludicrous. Instead of sending a CRJ-200 5 times per day (very high CASM) send a 757 twice or three times per day. Yeah the mainline pilots cost more but they can carry more, have more flexibility (alternates and capacity/etc), and provide passengers with more service and comfort than "sit down, shut up, and here is your coke."
Why doesn't this happen? Why aren't mainline pilots flying mainline airplanes on mainline routes? Why aren't regional pilots flying very efficient turboprops to feed the hub? Why doesn't United Airlines have a better feel for what oil is going to do even though their CEO is an ex oil exec who is sure to have some good connections still in the business? I guess because their competitor offers this level of frequency into crappy, small town XYZ and jet service. As far as Glen T, I guess his ineptitude is directly proportional to the size of his paycheck.
I'd do it, but I don't know the legality involved in something that huge of scale.
I think the following should happen, even though I know it never will:
The remaining pilots at said airline need to just not show up one day. All of them. From there on, don't show up until management negotiates.........again, doubt this will happen either. The costs associated with cancellations and not fulfilling an obligation to say a bigger airline that both airlines operate for would be huge. There wouldn't be a lot of money to purchase new aircraft for other said airline, and possibly lose a contract with said larger airline.
But.......what do I know, I'm a lowly right seater with no qualifications or knowledge. AP on, FLC, window heat, pitot heat, let's eat!
I'd do it, but I don't know the legality involved in something that huge of scale.
I think the following should happen, even though I know it never will:
The remaining pilots at said airline need to just not show up one day. All of them. From there on, don't show up until management negotiates.........again, doubt this will happen either. The costs associated with cancellations and not fulfilling an obligation to say a bigger airline that both airlines operate for would be huge. There wouldn't be a lot of money to purchase new aircraft for other said airline, and possibly lose a contract with said larger airline.
But.......what do I know, I'm a lowly right seater with no qualifications or knowledge. AP on, FLC, window heat, pitot heat, let's eat!
We would probably all end up in prison or fined. Or both.
I know for a fact that "wildcat" strikes (one-day strikes) are a weapon used often in Europe and they are quite effective. Air traffic controllers in certain countries do it. The union tells them that at XXXX o'clock, on XX day, everyone is to completely stop doing what they are doing and not to resume working until they get what they want (there are exceptions for aircraft in distress). The management knows its coming and so as to avoid any catastrophes they give the union what it wants before the strike.
Anyways, from what I've been told, wildcat strikes are illegal in the States, regardless of who is in Office. I think they would be great...
But then again, what do I know, I'm just a kid who has no life experience. Gear up, george on, george off, gear down, repeat as necessary.
We would probably all end up in prison or fined. Or both.
I know for a fact that "wildcat" strikes (one-day strikes) are a weapon used often in Europe and they are quite effective. Air traffic controllers in certain countries do it. The union tells them that at XXXX o'clock, on XX day, everyone is to completely stop doing what they are doing and not to resume working until they get what they want (there are exceptions for aircraft in distress). The management knows its coming and so as to avoid any catastrophes they give the union what it wants before the strike.
Anyways, from what I've been told, wildcat strikes are illegal in the States, regardless of who is in Office. I think they would be great...
But then again, what do I know, I'm just a kid who has no life experience. Gear up, george on, george off, gear down, repeat as necessary.
Yeah, it's illegal to strike until the government gives the ok. Penalties could include jail time and fines for all those involved. Not sure that is something that would be likely to stop a bunch of Waterskiers though. I highly doubt that 500 pilots would be prosecuted either. No matter the legal ramifications, Hulie would be hurtin'.
I have been in recurrent for the past few days and got this info strait from the horses mouth; the president of the company, Rick Leach.
Here is what we were told:
-The company did research into getting -200s for gojet but they found that it is not feasible. The E-145s cost about 60% of what a -200 would cost to operate.
-The mechanics were in the desert doing pre-buys on a number of aircraft that would be suitable but again, the costs would outweigh benefit.
-gojet is getting a few more -700s
-Trans States Holdings has no desire to phase out TSA as it is a valuable asset [whipsaw].
-Management is working on a new United program for TSA to get some more airplanes back on property.
-If all goes according to plan, the US Airways flying will be back up to 6-8 airplanes by next spring/summer
-The reason that management is letting the leases lapse on the -145s is because they are costing ~$140,000 per month and they know that they can re-negotiate the leases for cheaper as in ~$80-90,000 per month because of the current state of 50 seater demand/desire.
Is it too much to hope that some of this stuff comes true along with a contract?
-The company did research into getting -200s for gojet but they found that it is not feasible. The E-145s cost about 60% of what a -200 would cost to operate.
Did you ask that former baggage handler if that is even legal for them to do since TSA already flys 50 seaters? Also did you ask if TSH holdings has any intention of phasing out Gojet after we're done with AA?
That is some of the best news I've heard in a while. I really really hope some of that comes true because I really miss my job right now. Not sure why, but I enjoy the hell out of staying in a different hotel in a different city every night.
That is some of the best news I've heard in a while. I really really hope some of that comes true because I really miss my job right now. Not sure why, but I enjoy the hell out of staying in a different hotel in a different city every night.
I hear ya...I haven't been working much myself as I'm back in school (taking advantage of all the time-off w/o pay they're giving), and hadn't actually flown a multi-day trip in over two months until this week...I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it - scary really.
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Fly 'er like you're with a woman.
i never believe one word out of leach's mouth. if they were looking at -200's for gj, that is enough to see the deceitfulness. not saying what he said wasn't spewing the truth, just saying i don't trust it as far as i can spit.
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