I realize we are subcontractors. I wish we weren't, but skywest is moving in the right direction. We now control about 70% of the regional flying for United, a position that gives us additional leverage, and the economy of scale that comes from our size should also give us a competitive advantage. It's my hope that this will allow for reasonable, incremental improvements in our contract and pay. Not 20%, nothing outrageous, just a bump. There are things other than pilot pay that factor into the winning of contracts (performance, other labor groups, management competency, culture, safety record, etc), and if we can lead in those areas we should have a leg up as well.

Read this excellent post from back during the merger, especially the last few paragraphs. I think you might then see what we can bring to the table in terms of our contract with the new United. Essentially, by buying us Skywest has guaranteed their future and put themselves a leg up on most competitors for the next decade, at least in regards to being the biggest, most essential regional feed for the world's largest airline. It also provides a likely upgrade path to newer, larger RJ's down the road.

Besides, if management can find a way to pay us all a little better, that will serve them down the road as they try to compete for a new pipeline of pilots as (hopefully), the shortage begins to take hold. There's a cultural advantage as well to having a happier pilot group. Gordon Bethune understood the advantages of culture at the old Continental. I think Skywest management does as well. I hope.