Compare and contrast the top tier regionals vs. Pinnacle and Mesa. For example, Mesa has about the same number of pilots as Comair (although rapidly decreasing). Food for thought.
PILOT COSTS
American Eagle spends more on pilots than other regional airlines. Below is a list of airlines and the 2006 pilot costs for each.
• American Eagle, $144 million .....3200 pilots
• ExpressJet, $134 million ......2800+ pilots
• SkyWest, $124 million .....2750 pilots
• Comair, $91 million ...1640 pilots
• Atlantic Southeast Airlines, $90 million ...1700 pilots
• Mesa Airlines, $65 million ......1740 pilots
• Pinnacle Airlines, $48 million .....1400 pilots
• Mesaba Airlines, $34 million ....714 pilots
Source: Transportation Department
Mesa ALPA should use this as fuel for their fire as negotiations start next month.
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/...eagle0809.html