Originally Posted by
CANAM
Always remember, if your airplane says Express or Connection on the side, you're a subcontractor. GoJets will continue to "steal" flying so long as they maintain costs lower than everybody else. Sadly, there will inevitably be other start-up regionals who one day undercut GoJet, thus continuing the race to the bottom.
I think what you meant to say was as long as your aircraft says Express on the side, you'll continue to be given flying from mainline due to them relaxing their scope clauses in an effort to perpetuate their own greed.
My aircraft says Express on the side, but I'm flying a 37 seat turboprop. Last time I checked, mainline pilots egos don't allow then to fly these regional aircraft. Do I wish every aircraft was flown at mainline? Of course. However, what has happened is understandable from a business standpoint, and the relaxation of scope is the root cause. I scoff at pay to play express carriers "taking" our wholly owned flying, but I also realize if our pilot group had negotiated protections in or contact, we wouldn't be shrinking to oblivion.