Originally Posted by
Glayvin
The bonus is a good idea, although on the cheap side. Cape Air would give you 1500 dollars for referring another pilot. If they already had an ATP you'd get it 6 months after their initial checkride. If Cape Air had to pay for the person's ATP than it was a year after the ride you'd get the bonus.
The "bonus" and "referral" programs have come and gone at various carriers and this time there just isn't that many pilots to nip at the bait. This is a tetnus shot for a shark bite. In 18-24 month's it will (hopefully) be the full-blown crisis that's been long overdue, especially if the majors begin taking pilots in earnest.
Carriers like RAH may be in the most precarious situations as they will have new contract promises to meet and big bills to pay. Eagle on the other hand can still work a deal for exchange of a large number of old EMB's for a lessor number of new, larger ones and MIGHT keep their head above water longer. Still, a mouthful and perhaps even a lungful of water is headed to the regional industry.