Originally Posted by
phoenix 23684
P.S. I'm glad I'm at Colgan flying the Saab for that reason, we don't take jobs away from the majors. Can't see a Boeing landing at Del Rio or Victoria, TX
Here is my thought on fixing this industry, I think regionals should not be allowed to fly between two B class airports. Hence the word regional, they should be used to feed the smaller destinations. I hear the longest express flight is 4+ hours to Canada I think. That's not regional flying. This change would force the majors to fly the routes with larger equipment and more pay. In my opinion no one needs 7-10 flights between two airports a day.
I know this change would severely shrink the regionals with Rjs but openings at majors would def increase. Thoughts???
While I do not feel a regional should be flying from MEM-SLC there are many flights between class B's that are not too long and would not be able to justify a 737. MEM-CLT for instance. Not full often with a 50 seater and why would it b/c you have Usair (regional affiliates) flying RJ's back and forth all day in addition to NWA to MEM. I do think scope clauses need to head back to a smaller number. 50 seats and smaller is a regional in my opinion. 50+ should be at mainline. Unfortunately the 50seaters are soo inefficient with high dollar oil I really see the scope clause staying at 76 or eventually moving up to 100. We fly the -900 in a 76 seat configuration. That is not far off from the DC-9-10 that NWA has been retiring (or maybe even retired the 9-10 already). Look at the smaller 737's and the DC-9's/ MD-80's not too much bigger (as far as seats) as the -900 in the 86 seat mesa configuration. If ALPA is really going to "take it back" there needs to be support from the mainline guys and the regional guys on scope and work rules. I would say MOST pilots starting today plan on a major, MANY get there, SOME stay at the regional level for their own reasons (QOL). Just my thoughts. You cannot justify flying a Bus or bigger between every city pair- especially with $100+ barrel oil.