Originally Posted by squawkoff

I know many captains, older and new captains alike, that are trying very hard to move to the majors but it's not like the majors are setting the world on fire with hiring. Late 80's and early 90's they were hiring like crazy. The problem we have now is that there are so many regional pilots that for every job there are 5 or more pilots trying to get it. Could the problem also be the 60 to 65 age extension? Those at the majors are sure quick to point the finger at the regional pilots yet many at majors could retire but they don't. They stay till the bitter end. What do you think would happen if there was no regionals? The majors would do one of two things. They would either not hire or they would be hiring the 800 hour pilots that the regionals hire.

The reason I commented on your statement was it sounded to me like all we have to do is call up the majors and ask for the job and they would give it to us. You and I both know that is not the case. 9/11 really put the industry on it's rear and IMO really haven't recovered. I had a good friend that was hired by AA in the 60's with a temporary comm. certificate. At the time the Vietnam war was going on and having served your time in the military was big. They didn't want to train you then You get drafted. They still didn't have a multi ratings yet and he retired a DC10 captain. The point being that supply and demand affects all airlines.

People point fingers at regional pilots but I don't hear much criticism of the cut rate airlines like Spirit, Virgin America, Alegient etc. which I don't understand. They are the pilots flying the same size equipment for much less than the majors. At least the regionals are flying smaller equipment. Regional pilots don't decide to take flying from mainline. It's management so why be angry at the regional pilots? Sure, we could not take the job at the regionals but what happens when the majors start hiring? Most pilots would be rejected because of lack of currency.

Might I suggest that the majors and regionals stop bickering. Why don't the unions of the majors work on merging the list of the regionals and the majors and bring everyone under one umbrella. That way the majors can't play one against the other and scope would be more inclusive. It sure would make the pilots stronger when negotiating a contract.

If you have some secret way to move pilots from the regionals to mainline I would suggest that you start a job placement service. You could make a fortune.