Originally Posted by
Timbo
Personally I think the 76 seat ship has sailed. I doubt if we (mainline DL) will ever be able to 'recapture' that flying. There is a limit per our contract to how many 76 seat RJ's can exist. So let's focus on defending that limit, and let's turn our attention to the NEXT threat, the much fabled 100 seater.
If we hold the line on 76 seats for DCC's, then obviously any 100 seater would have to be flown by mainline pilots. As much as many of you hate to admit it, DALPA was right when they said the 36 and 50 seat RJ's would eventually dissapear, over congestion and higher fuel prices helped. So where's the next logical step? 100 seater replaces 76. OK, Who flys it?
If the RJ guys want mainline jobs, they should be supporting mainline scope. If instead they want to spend the rest of their careers flying 76 seaters at DCC pay/benefits, then by all means, sue DALPA over our scope clause, if/when the 100 seater comes along.
In case you have forgotten there was a chance for the DAL MEC to support recapturing a segment of the 76 seat flying with the resolution proposed to staple CP to the bottom of the seniority list. The DAL MEC voted against it and went as far as removing CP from the MEC saying that we had competing interests. They were only competing interests in the opinion of the DAL MEC and that is proven by the fact that 95% of CP pilots took the flow to DL when offered.
I don't think you will find a whole lot of regional guys that want to see this trend continue. Unfortunately, in most ways you guys control the careers of those that come behind you. The modern day B-scale and only you all can end it.
You hear mainline guys talk about RJ guys taking their jobs, well, mainline pilots weakening scope has taken the career potential from many RJ guys.