Originally Posted by
FlyJSH
There are some regionals which provide connection to a mainline in aircraft the mainline could not afford to support: light twin and turbo prop operators.
Then there are some regoionals which have both augmented and eroded mainline operations: the RJ operators.
Beers for you sir.
The grey is the in between...is a 37 seat ERJ a problem? How about a 74 seat turboprop?
Though I'll make no argument about being biased, I don't see any problem with sub-50 seat turboprops at regional/commuter carriers. Mainline can't profitably run things Dash/ATR sized with the current economy and market conditions. The simple fact that the turboprop lacks in speed will keep it from being used on routes where the CRJ/ERJ are jumping dangerously into mainline territory.
It's sad that AA is trying to go to a B-scale on pilot wages...because a 50-seats-and-up mainline contract is exactly what this industry needs more of.