Originally Posted by
skypilot35
It would behoove all pilots to take a good look at what is going on in the regional industry and make an attempt to fix the payscale which is the primary driver of this thread. The guys at the majors (the ones still 20 years out from retirement) should look at what the possibilities are for their future employment. Help get the industry on both the regional and major level fixed.
Regional airlines exist only because that's what major airlines want, the B scale. Regional airline pilots participate in the B scale and perpetuate the B scale because they have no other choice but to submit to the will of airline management, unions, and senior pilots. Having a regional airline exist also means pilots at the major airline make more money. Fix number one would be to bring all airline flying back under the umbrella of major airlines. We may actually see this in the future. If lack of qualified pilots means airlines must raise pay to attract pilots, then there is no longer a point to have a B scale regional airline.
At the regional level, FO pay is low because that's what union executive councils and the more senior pilot groups voted for at each regional airline. There is only one pot of money, regional airlines don't generally set their own ticket prices. Fix number two could be the pilots and union decide on how that pot of money will be divided up in a flatter way where Captains make less and FO's make more. Can you stomach that? Ideally, that pot of money would be increased, but if you ask for too big of a pot, said pot will be given to someone else's airline.
There is a disconnect on how long a pilot should be at a regional airline. Even under a best case scenario, the system is flawed. The system appears to be setup where a pilot enters the system as FO, upgrades in two years, and by year 5 leaves to go to the major airline for a pay cut. Nice in theory when it works, but it hasn't worked that way over the last 10 years. Many pilots are trying to make a career out of a regional airline.
In summary, this flow chart is probably a good way to sum it all up.
Should regional airlines (B scale) continue to exist?
If no, problem is basically solved.
If yes, should one expect he/she can make a career at a regional?
If no, then FO pay and Captain pay should be the same, flattened. Only longevity pays higher. You are forced to move up to a major or out. Hopefully there is a flow through program and the better airlines will have this. You want alpa representing your interests.
If yes, then Captains continue to make more at the expense of FO's, but all FO's have a shot at making a livable career at the regional. Hopefully you can get your hands on a bigger pot of money from the major airline. You don't want alpa under this situation, you need someone who truly represents your interests as a regional (B scale) pilot.