Originally Posted by BE19Pilot

It is beginning to occur to me that when you are too close to a problem that I begin to suffer from, "I can't see the forest because of the trees". Where do the really good jobs with high pay and benefits lie? Mainline. Where should ALPA re-trench and put all of it's efforts? Mainline jobs. People are upset with this pilot group or that pilot group for "lowering the bar". SO WHAT? Win the scope battle, and get all these senior regional pilots over to mainline where they will be productive generating revenue that is commensurate with their salaries.
It has taken me 11-years to finally realize that wasting time, energy and angst over improving regional pilot pay&benefits is a complete and utter waste of time. The paradigm is changing, and nothing is going to stop the juggernaut that is 12/4 and increased healthcare costs. THIS IS REALITY. Sometimes you have to loose a battle or two and learn that your strategy and tactics are incorrect. ALPA and some pilots don't seem to understand this. Sure, it sucks to be 55 or so with a number of years invested at a regional airline that offers a decent QOL. BUT, this horse is running it's final lap and most of these folks will be replaced by people with new ( cheaper ) work rules and pay scales. The time is now to stop fighting in the wrong theater of operations and concentrate on getting better pathways to mainline for CURRENT ALPA brothers and sisters to mainline. Place regional flying on a par with the old commuter days and STOP blurring the lines between the two...This strategy has proved to be a dismal failure for every regional that has tried to "improve" their contract.
I venture my viewpoint may not be very popular, but I think it is realistic and reflects the current state of the industry. Furthermore, I think my approach will fuel an improvement by the market forces of supply and demand in the hiring of pilots at the entry-level. This juvenile bickering has to stop also, we look like a bunch of petulant 6th graders arguing over who's team is better.