Originally Posted by
slowplay
No, it was a change in technology that caused the RJ outbreak. It was shortsightedness not to prepare or adapt for that change.
BAE-146's and Fokker F28's were in regional systems throughout the 80's. They weren't economically viable in large numbers. That all changed in December 1993 when Comair took the first CRJ into service.
The contracts never had protections built in against something that didn't exist.
What about the Convairs, DC-9's, F-70/90, and 737's ? Aircraft of similar capacity which did exist.
Contracts did not require protections to manage outsourcing in a day when outsourcing was not tolerated; in a time when pilot labor leaders considered alter-ego operations an existential threat. Back then we fought to unify our profession.
You might know this part of the history better than I, but wasn't it Eastern which first allowed feeder codeshare? It has been at least 15 years since I heard Randy Babbit quoted on the subject. Outsourcing was not the result of evolving technology in our industry which went through years of rapid evolution without resorting to treating some as non preferred members of our profession. Outsourcing evolved with our contract negotiations and agreements.
Pragmatically, we have to deal with today's business environment. But that does not mean we, as a profession, should lose our heading. The Delta MEC has been increasingly drawing their circle around all Delta company flying. The concept of "global production balance" unifies the Delta pilots' share of Delta flying.
We are also working on what we "permit." Progress was made in Contract 2012. We "permit" outsourcing and as long as we permit it, we must take responsibility for our involvement.