Even before these new pay increases at the regionals, many regional Captains were earning $150,000 to $175,000 /year. Now? Double that. And now regional FOs are making more to fly an EMB-145 than a mainline FO is to fly an A-350, 777, or 787. The schedule flexibility was better (at least at my regional) and I dare say the health insurance was better (at least from the perspective of a new hire on first year pay with little kids that require doctor visits that add up to thousands in out of pocket expenses with our insurance).

So even with a 15 or 20% pay increase at the mainlines, regional pilots will still be making about what mainline pilots make. And regional LCAs will still make more than almost any mainline pilot. Yea I get that long-term being at a mainline is where it’s at, but the gap is rapidly closing. The past 5 years have seen a meteoric rise in pay and benefits for regional pilots and many mainline pilots seem to have had their head in the sand as to what’s been happening. It is no longer “just wait until year 2 or year 3 pay and it will all even out.” Now it’s wait to upgrade to mainline Captain to get back to what you made as a regional Captain.

Out on the line most Captains I talk to don’t get it. They don’t understand the implications. Hopefully with all the new blood pouring into the legacies we can get some fresh ideas on how to improve pay and QOL. A rising tide lifts all boats after all does it not? 30% DOS should be the minimum.