Originally Posted by
Quarryman
Because dumping soup into a bowl at a soup kitchen really has something to do with your ability to effectively be a safe pilot and a good leader.
But hey, have the right anatomy and/or color and you're good to go. This old mantra of "paying your dues" went out the window when the rules of the game were selectively applied. You just didn't get hired at <insert major/legacy airline here> because you failed to wear the correct color tie given the day of the week you interviewed. Yes, that might be hyperbole but you get the point.
They're complaining because they're flying mainline routes with equipment in mainline livery for regional wages. That's garbage. You betcha they have every right to complain. They were just paying their dues....until the dues simply didn't matter anymore.
Many majors want more than just some guy who is going to sit up front and push buttons. Whether you like it or not, an airline pilot is, at least in part, a customer service job. Major airlines want someone who is going to go out of their way to engage the customer base and community. They can tell if you can fly a jet by looking at your PRIA documents and experience. This job isn't about how good your stick skills are. If you can get through a few years of recurrent and an upgrade, you more than likely have the requisite skills to fly at a major. None of that shows them how well you'll promote the brand even if you aren't being paid for it.