Originally Posted by
fishforfun
I think calling the regional guys "rookies" is pretty insulting. My class was 90% regional guys that had been at 2 or more, furloughed by one or another, stuck in the right seat for the lost decade. These are some of the saltiest 35 year olds around. They were at Republic for the never ending negotiations. These guys have been there and done that. Just because they are new to G4 doesn't mean they don't know what's going on.
I read it as a management tactic seeing regional pilots as rookies accustomed to entry-level abuse and more inclined to sign a concessionary contract. Faulty reasoning if true. Rookie was probably a metaphor and a poor choice of words. I don't think he or anyone else sees regional guys as rookies these days. Most G4 pilots come from regionals and if the company thinks the regional guys it hired are going to cave on a crappy TA, they're in for a nasty surprise. I believe the company hires regional pilots because they're highly qualified and available.