Originally Posted by
eaglefly
"Portability" might be a great idea depending on the details, but for it to work for ALL pilots, there cannot be any "losers" per se in the equation. As long as there are virtually no replacement pilots available, that means there WILL be losers and some MAJOR losers. TRUE portability would mean lateral moves for any pilot including seniority. Without that and coupled with no replacements, it becomes not only roulette, but Russian roulette.
I think Envoy ALPA wants to sell this concept on the fact they can be first and thus become the powerhouse BEFORE other carriers realize they're screwed and act too late. Of course, what if Delta and UAL DO see the threat act very quickly (let's face it, Delta is shrewd and smart) and then what ?
Envoy's ALPA possible pyramid scheme foundation of poaching fails and it is Envoy that goes back to contraction and despair. I think THAT is the sales pitch. It seems everyone is selling now at Envoy, I guess even to each other now.
I said it was a
first step. Currently, there are few pilots in the pipeline due to the crap pay and QOL at the regionals not making the high cost of earning all needed ratings worth while. Traditionally, if you weren't a military pilot, the majority of pilots gain experience trying to get that major airline job at the regionals. If job portability would come to fruition at the regional airlines, it would also bolster greater pay and QOL overall. This in turn
might help some to choose the piloting profession again. It by no means could ever be an overnight scenario, it's a long play, but it is certainly better than being stuck at an unstable company in an unstable industry with no hope of improvements and
hope it doesn't blow up in your face. Without a doubt, there is going to be contraction in the regional sector, and as such, there will be casualties as some carriers cannot survive. At least you won't be the "MAJOR loser" if you do not have to start over from square one again.