Shiz,

Thanks for your response. I don't want to turn this into a pi**ing contest, but I did want to respond to the part of your post I quoted above.

I don't know when you came aboard, but back before 9/11 Delta alone had 10,000 pilots on it's seniority list. The huge growth in the number of regional pilots was at the direct expense of Delta pilots (and pilots at other mainline carriers).

Call me selfish, but I'm more concerned about my fellow Delta pilots than the jobs of regional pilots, be they ALPA members or not.

Serious Question (for any and all):

My nephew emailed me and asked: Do have any idea what the future of the 100-seaters is going to be? I know the Japanese and Russians are trying to re-enter the aerospace market, plus there is the new Bombardier plane. I'd imagine that there would be a decent market for planes in size between a CRJ700 & an A319?

I briefly explained the scope clause concept, and the history over the last 20 years of ever larger size, and numbers of, regional jets being operated by non-mainline carriers. But where's it go from here? Will the next negotiating team again trade larger regional jets (or more of them) for pay rates (admittedly with the approval of the Delta pilots)? Or will they (the negotiating team, and/or the MEC, and/or the Delta pilot group) hold the line on scope? Would Delta buy a 100 seat aircraft in significant numbers if it was operated by Delta pilots?

Curious as to others' thoughts...