Originally Posted by
Bzzt
It seems like a good tactic to attract regional pilots but the mainlines will never put forth a true solid flow. The pilots at mainline would freak out because they couldn't get their children, AF buddies, etc. in before the "inferior regional guys". Every flow is a joke, an unattainable carrot that should be treated as such.
Not saying I disagree with you, but if the projections of a shortage at the regionals prove true, what mainline pilots think will be irrelevant in light of the business need to get pilots in the cockpits of regional aircraft. Mainline HR departments will continue to hire outside of these flow throughs. Military pilots are going to be so few (as compared to the past) their affects on flow throughs will be negligible.
If hiring projections prove true, you will likely see the regionals cannibalize each other for pilots. They will do this by offering hiring bonuses and guarantees of upward movement to mainline. You will also see longevity bonuses and flows in an effort to keep pilots where they are.
In short, if the shortage proves true, mainline and regional carriers will partner together to ensure their regional cockpits are filled, and will offer those incentives necessary to fill them. The more acute the shortage, the greater the guarantee of a flow through. Mainline carriers would prefer no flow through or agreements at all and will offer incentives in proportion to their need to fill regional cockpits and ensure feed to hubs.