Originally Posted by
Bzzt
Yeah it's so easy to get a job at a mainline why doesn't everyone do that?
You have to be a little more of a long-term thinker than that.
Getting a mainline job is hard. Why? Because there are many more applicants than there are positions. Why? Because there aren't many new positions. Why? Because most of the growth or new flying is at the regional level. Why? Because it's cheaper. Why? Because pilot groups continue to be willing to exchange pay for a quicker upgrade or more bidding power. Why? So they can "get their time and get out." Why? Because TPIC time is more competitive for mainline jobs. Why? Because getting a job at mainline is hard.
If most of us took the position of "I really don't care to have additional flying or bigger airplanes unless you give me a mainline ID badge," then perhaps there'd be more mainline ID badges to go around.
I could bid in the top 5 if I turned myself into a commuter and chose to be based in Anchorage. I'm more than willing to go be based in Anchorage, but first they'll have to change my badge from red to blue.