Originally Posted by
Rahlifer
Pilot pay is not the only variable that makes it attractive for mainline to farm out the RJ flying. They're also saving by not paying for mainline FA's, mechanics, schedulers, dispatchers, hotels, etc. Pilot pay is just the most visible element that management likes to wave around in public. John Q Public reads about regional pilots making $60 per hour and does some mental math. $60x40hrs/week x 5 weeks = $12,000 a month. Obviously we know that's total crap, but that's the image that airline managers publicly portray.
All very true, and only furthers my point that mainline farms out the flying because it is cheaper. But my focus was on ALPA, which isn't responsible for being concerned with what dispatchers and mechanics make. That's why I was focused more on the pilot pay/benefits comparisons between mainline and regional.
ALPA can see through the management charade, yet they are perfectly OK with you making about $80 LESS per hour flying the same CRJ900 that mainline has pay rates for, and flying the same passengers that mainline flies.. Both ALPA carriers, yet you make literally half the money!! As long as mainline wages are propped up by the indentured servants, they don't mind if you get whipsawed into submission along with your sister carriers, even while airlines are making record profits..... (looking at you PSA/EVY/PDT).
Do regional ALPA pilots really not have a problem with this type of representation? With this lack of unity? What has been the actual benefit of staying under ALPA all this time? Even TallFlyer said the only reason we are seeing (management-controlled) bonuses is because of the market (the 1500 hr rule). What has ALPA actually done in the last 20-30 years to earn the support of regional pilots?