err

Fuzzy math aside, I agree with your premise, it's all relative.

I think it'd be too much, too soon for mainline to immediately take over all 70+ seat flying...in terms of acquiring the aircraft, pilots, training, amending contracts, etc. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY WISH/HOPE they do. I'd much rather lose my current seat/plane, get furloughed, and fly a 50 seater for 2-3 years at higher pay rates than now, and fly the 70+ seaters at mainline in 3-4 years, than to fly a 70+ seater now for 6-7+ years at regional (even improved regional pay), before moving on.

IMO, it's more likely that the legacies understand the dire circumstances the future of the regional lift is and loosen the rope on these CPA's, allowing regionals to significantly increasing pay and benefits, because that will probably still be cheaper than bringing the flying completely in-house, at least all at once. The regional players will shrink slightly as the ones without the ability to increase pay and benefits fall by the way aside; the ones that remain will have to do just that.

Hopefully whatever happens, regional pilots keep standing strong and demand SIGNIFICANT gains, even to the point of pricing ourselves out of the regional game...keep your eyes out for the forest, not the trees, my friends.

WOW, I disagree WHOLEHEARTEDLY with that disparity. 2.5 times as much for CA top out pay? It should never be that much in any flight deck, IMO.