I’m a little surprised nobody has really discussed the “same 5,000 resumes at all the majors” nugget from the OP.

Friends of mine at WN and UA in the hiring/training departments told me 2 years ago that their projections showed the “pilot shortage” finally starting to hit the majors around the fourth quarter of 2018. When I saw it happening at the regional level (and the corresponding increase in compensation it forced), I dusted off my logbook and started looking for a 121 job.

I’m currently a RJ pilot flying in the United Express system, and I’ve been really impressed with the mainline United pilots I have met. Thankfully, everyone I have visited with seems to fully grasp the implications of scope, and I’m comforted by the fact that your group appears to be unified in not offering any relaxations.

That being said, United is in trouble in terms of staffing on the Express side. The proof of this is pretty simple: a pilot that meets ATP minimums can have an interview immediately and a class date soon after at any of the United Express carriers. Endeavor is slammed with resumes and their classes are booked out through June. The lack of a wholly owned regional means that the independent carriers can’t really compete with the AA/DL regionals in terms of flow/compensation.

I think that United will be the first major to bring RJ’s in house, not necessarily because they want to but because they have no other choice. I also think that the first major to do this will be at a huge advantage in terms of being able to staff their flying over the next decade.

Sincerely,

A 50 seat RJ pilot that doesn’t want to fly a bigger jet with “United” on the side unless the word “express” is gone.