Originally Posted by
chrisreedrules
This is all about securing cheap regional labor for the legacies. Not about staffing mainline.
The number of pilots coming from CommutAir compared to the vast number of pilots that will be hired by UA is likely a small percent. It isn't like what AA is doing. Although I will be curious to see how the next couple years pan out for the AA flow programs and if they will be sustainable without choking off the cheap regional labor supply.
This will likely work out as a perfect example to a young pilot of how bad the airlines will screw you to save a penny.
The guys that go to CommutAir now thinking what a great deal this is for them to get an early shot at a major, will likely have the carpet yanked out from underneath them before they ever get what was promised. When mother UA finishes with these 50 seaters and gives 70/76 seaters to somebody else, Commutair will die on the vine and so will the Golden Ticket.
Then those folks will have worked for peanuts (thinking they were getting the golden ticket as a benefit) and be left with nothing but their @!#% in their hand.
Giving the flow right now costs UA nothing, but the need for these airplanes is short and once it is gone killing the whole arrangement costs UA nothing. So, remember that as a pilot starting at CommutAir tomorrow you hold none of the cards!
Don't ever be so naive to count on actually getting the carrot they dangle before they hit you with the stick!!