Originally Posted by RadialGal

This is classic, and fascinating; I have no idea what is going to happen with the Ginormous Regional vs Mainline Goat Rodeo that is coming up, but I imagine it's going to be something someone else here already mentioned; some variation of ab-inito training and separate Regionals.

I also want to ad that being a "Major Airline Captain/FO" relies on more than just skill. Technically, if you can fly a RJ, can you fly a 737? Sure. But there is (somehow) still an image the Major Airline pilot carries. An image that the Regional Pilot does not. Part of it is the industry's fault, and part of it is the Regional Pilot group's.

I am not a Mainline pilot myself, but have close friends in both camps. My .02 cents is that the "higher" image attached to the Major pilots comes from a combination of factors, most unrelated to "skill." They (majors) have a better sense of unity; better than their regional brethren. They truly care about their image (mostly). When I hear Regional pals joke about how the Majors have comities to decide what brand of blazer is approved, I think, there is a reason for that, and it's too bad you don't understand it. You (mostly) still see Major crews walking together, blazers on, caps on, appearance neat and traditional. High and tights, trim moustaches if any facial hair. They seem more cognizant of the passengers, interact more with them. They also seem to understand that until they are behind that hotel door and out of uniform, they are "on camera." (Yes I see slob loners too).

(Now I am not lumping all Regionals or Majors into these groups, I am just saying that this is what I have observed)

Regional pilots seem flighty; no real sense of unity at the Regionals. Their unions are weaker, their pilot's disinterested and not unified. This is a temporary gig, why bother? They have a white shirt and epaulets and that's about it. They have "goofy" facial hair, gelled hairdos, and look, as folks older than us Millennials would say, like a punk a** kid. You often see them alone, not interacting with the passengers, or unaware of their surroundings. Talking or acting in a way that, again, anyone older than a Millennial, would say, makes them look "less than professional."

This is just an observation I have made. It is only my opinion, formed after 12 years in the industry. I have formed it as neither a Regional or Major pilot. I formed it after talking to current and retired Mainliners, current Regional pilots, and passengers. Take of it what you will. I don't mean it as a insult to anyone, just as a topic of discussion. Comment at will.