Why do regional pilots have this misconception? How is a union at mainline any different than at a regional? Both try to get the most for their pilots during good times and mitigate the losses during bad times. Or do you think that UAL, AAL, DAL, ALA, allegiant, spirit, frontier prevented their airlines from going into bankruptcy/restructuring and having hostile management? Nope, those mighty mainline airlines went through those bad times and or dealing with hostile management despite their union. They are no different than mesa, endeavor, republic, asa, or xjt. Those regionals also went through bankruptcies/restructuring and or have hostile management. And their unions did the same as mainline unions, mitigate the losses during those bad times and get as much for the pilots during the good times. Obviously, no regional will ever be compensated like a mainline so it's going to be at a lower base compensation level but they both do the exact same thing!