Originally Posted by jethikoki

Great reply! I think we or at least I can say I agree with you almost 100% I started flying back in 75 and had a late start in this career due to military or flying in the Guard. Had the privilege to fly with most of the pilots from all the airlines so I did learn some history of the various carriers. If I had my way there wouldn't be any regionals and I would already be flying at a major or as some or many here would think, on the street in another career. When I was working on my ratings I don't think there were regionals just 135 commuters and a BIG difference from a commuter to the major. The majors first stopped scope at less then 40, then 50, now 76. Had the feeling you're not good enough to fly anything bigger then 10 or 20 seats unless you're at a major. But then it was ok you can go to 33, 44, 50, opps lets make it 76 now. There also used to be great differences between commuters and the majors but I don't see so much difference anymore.

As in the previous post most major pilots did earn their positions and I turned down job offers at Eastern for the obvious reason. However, you need only look at CAL to know that not every major pilot earned his position. So after seeing the buyouts and mergers I find it hard to see what's so wrong with having a flow to the bottom of the seniority list when a major buys regionals. Maybe it would help stop some of the whipsawing among the regionals. I also don't understand the reasoning if I am not allowed to operate an airlines aircraft at the major level why be allowed to operate the same airlines owned aircraft at the regional? I know, its the test and interview. Makes since to me now.