A couple paragraphs taken from our latest MEC news blast:


"Despite this small relief caused by the removal of the 135s and ATRs, immediate action is required, or we are likely to face a staffing shortage of historic proportions. Further exacerbating our staffing shortage will be the implementation of much needed new Flight Time – Duty Time rules in January 2014. In mid-to-late 2014, we could be implementing a Preferential Bidding System that would slightly alleviate staffing pressure. Suffice it to say, there are going to be some growing pains as we ramp up recruitment, implement a major contract revision, negotiate and potentially implement PBS, and comply with a significant change to flight time and duty time regulations.
Eagle is not the only regional airline feeling this pain. Contrary to recent press articles and comments by mainline public relations “experts,” many regionals are now missing recruitment targets and are unable to create an applicant pool due to the lack of pilot applicants who meet the new Congressional pilot employment requirements. While mainline carriers want the public to think this is not affecting them, this is simply untrue. American Airlines receives from its regional network over two billion dollars in connect revenue each year. If American is unable to maintain or grow that regional network due to a lack of qualified pilots, then it will lose connecting customers and the associated revenue, and will simply have fewer customers."


Sounds like something you would expect to hear from management instead of a message from our MEC chairman. Good thing we voted in that concessionary contract!