Originally Posted by
Jefferson
Okay, so roughly 66% of ALL regional pilots have told their (go between) management that they understand supply and demand economics and that they have a (newly) limited commodity. Its a start. Of course, the ONLY reason the regional airlines exist is to have that "B-scale" bottom of the totem pole group to keep labor costs in check for the balance of the industry. Basically, with the majors controlling/owning most everything but flight crews/ mechanics, Regional airlines are nothing more than staffing services. The cost of managing the regional airline is where the Flight Crew/mechanic salary parity goes. Delta pays a 4 year 112 seat airplane F/O $112 and hour while 76 seat regional F/0's pull in around $40/hr. 3/4 of the seats for about 1/3 of the pay.. and the EXACT SAME JOB SKILL SET.
Don't expect the majors to give up this massive bargaining chip without a fight. They have spent BILLIONS in the past to have this position at the table... it's gonna get interesting.
$112/hour? Let's be realistic here. I don't think the regional plots are looking to make legacy FO pay, just enough to get them out of poverty. Look at the kudos C5 got for their recently agreed to LOA. It's not rocket science. If the majors are going to pull the plug on regionals because they don't want to pay regional pilots a livable wage then let them. They'll be paying a hell of a lot more to pay their own pilots to fly these routes in 717's anyway. Now that is the epitome of cutting off your nose to spite your face.