Originally Posted by
Rahlifer
This argument about regional pilots being on par with mainline pilots gets really old. We do similar jobs, but the requirements to get the job are literally light years apart. Regionals will gladly hire anyone with a pulse and pilot certificate. DUIs, multiple training failures, alcohol problems, pedophila convictions? No problem! Sign right here! It's harsh to hear, but no, regional pilots are no where close to the same category as mainline pilots until you pass the stringent screening requirements.
I didn't know this was the Mesa forum! I joke, I joke. Seriously, we are a lot closer than you think. We fly jets on 4+ hour cross country legs (let's not talk about how uncomfortable our passengers must be in the back of an RJ LGA-IAH). We have to have an ATP with a minimum of 1500 hours. We are held to the exact same standards for safety and training. We have to meet the same customer service requirements as the Delta brand. We also work worse schedules under worse work rules than mainline. Let's also not forget the 900 can fly higher, faster, and longer than a 717. Sure the 717 is 13" longer and carries 34 more people, but let's not forget Delta has a CRJ-900 pay scale. The only reason we (the regionals) exist is we still agree to spend a career working for pennies on the dollar compared to mainline. The only thing that is "light years apart" as you say, is the difference between today's "regionals" and yesterday's true regionals flying small turboprops on 150 mile or less flights.