Originally Posted by
NineGturn
I would disagree that his statement is a reach. It may not be the primary profit arm but the fact is Mesa's new airplanes are owned by United and the jobs are outsourced to increase profitability. The only reason the regional airline model exists in the US is due to the unions. An Embraer is not a regional jet but it is being operated by regional airlines at the same pay scales that were paid out to 19 seat turboprop pilots twenty years ago.
Never said they weren't profitable, it was the undertone of his statement I disagree with. Fact is Mesa is a contractor to fly UA code as provided in the UPA. Just like XJT, SKW, etc. If they want profit sharing then negotiate it with Mesa management. However, it is not ALPA's job to ensure that contractors to someone's code receive profit sharing directly from that code, or any other incentives/bonuses/etc (the undertone I speak of). That's the thing with CPA's....here's the jets, here's some operating money, and if you suck we'll find someone else, good luck!
I do agree that the Ejet is not a regional airliner, heck they fly it on 3+ hour legs like YYZ, YYC, YEG, BDL, and more. The airplane really belongs at mainline, but that ship sailed long ago. If anything, should management choose the E190/195 as the 100 seater of choice for UAL then I certainly see the possibility of a closing of the gap.