Originally Posted by
Wasatch Phantom
The title of this thread is Stop the Whipsaw!
So rather than various regional carriers underbidding each other in a race to the bottom, it makes more sense to me that the flying should move to mainline carriers; where it has historically been.
Delta is taking delivery of 88 717's to, in large part, take back some of the flying that was given to regional carriers. Those 717's represent roughly 1,000 mainline pilot jobs. As a point of historical fact in 1991 Delta operated 30 DC-9-30's and 59 737-200's; 89 aircraft!
Look at the relative pay scales between your regional carrier and Delta. Third year Delta pay on the lowest paying equipment is $107 an hour. And that will rise to $113.00 on 1/1/15.
That's more than many (if not most) regional carrier captains make at the top of their scale, but the real difference is the Delta rate continues to rise with years of service, and upgrade to other equipment / captain.
jethikoki, "...the same equal and fair treatment that pilots have at the majors" you spoke of would mean getting furloughed as flying is transferred to other carriers. A fair number of the pilots I fly with were furloughed in the post 9/11 world, and not one has told me he (or she) was welcomed with open arms at any regional.
If you want a job at a mainline carrier, I think that's great and I wish you well, sincerely.
FSP, RJ's in huge numbers were ordered back in the late 1990's. Oil was under $20 a barrel. (Hard to believe, isn't it?) Fred Reid, Delta's infamous then COO, called the RJ's "self-financing". Today oil is $108 a barrel and those "self-financing" RJ's are money-sucking losers. While you may think your pay rate is subsidizing mine, I would argue the existence of your job is being subsidized by mainline as your aircraft is under a long term fee for departure contract.
If the 50 seat RJ were making money, Delta wouldn't be parking them as fast as they can.
Sir to you and other mainliners, not meaning to get in a ****in match with you but were you at DAL? I referred to NWA and AA. I remember flying with a furloughed NWA pilot that came to my company. As far as being welcomed I am sure there are plenty of examples good and bad on both sides. I don't understand the bad when we all should be working against the main problem which is management but we spend to much time blaming other pilots. I do think ALPA, APA and pilots at regionals and majors could do a better job for all furloughed pilots.
As far as regionals, they NEVER should have been started unless they were going to be independent. However anyone wants to interpret regionals beginnings and expansion, Pandora's box has been opened. Pilots need to be in more control of their contracts and airlines. It doesn't help to have it farmed or contracted out like it is now. You cannot expect small regionals going up against any major management who is ultimately calling the shots unless they have the help of the major pilots.
I know most majors pilots do not favor a flow or giving out a seniority even if it is to the bottom. A more immediate solution would be for everyone who is contracted to fly for a represented carrier like DAL be allowed into DALPA. Keep your testing and interview as it is for those moving to the major side. (NO EASY WAY IN) Also for all future flying in the case of DAL, be done ONLY by DALPA pilots. All future hiring should be done by DAL like it is now with pilots going to regional or major and those that don't make the jump to the major side will just retire or attrit out.
On the other hand, lets say Richard Branson and other investors go in with Sky West and did a hostile takeover of DAL. Now lets say all current pilots at DAL now must be tested and interviewed before being allowed continued employment. How would you feel?