Originally Posted by
pete2800
...A mainline aircraft is just that. An aircraft operated by mainline. At present, the smallest of which seems to be the 737/319/E190/MD80 types. The moment a mainline carrier buys a new type, it's a mainline aircraft. What we have at present is a bunch of mainline routes being flown by regional pilots in aircraft operated by regionals. There's nothing preventing a mainline carrier from purchasing some E175's or CRJ's and operating them with mainline pilots.
You do know who's actually buying these planes right? They are mainline planes being flown by regional pilots.
The regional airline system is a massive B scale for the mainlines. The more they can get away with it the more they will push it.