I’ll try to give you my honest assessment.

While you fly two legs per week on your “more expensive” heavy, assuming you’re a line holder, I fly about ten on my Lil “cheaper” Guppy. ​​​​Even while on reserve, we’re still very likely to fly those average ten legs on our side. Do you fly a trip every week while you’re on reserve at your airline? I’m going to make an educated guess and say, no. By that assumption, I’m probably more efficient for my company.

We never have the necessity nor the “luxury,” of having to go to the box to get our landing currency! If you’re doing that on our side, you’re costing the company quite a bit of money not physically being in the cockpit generating revenue! Our company dislikes that very strongly. As long as they pay me my worth and protect the business going forward, they can run it as they see fit.

Our business models are very different. That’s not to say one is better or worse than the other, just different. Our streamline and often efficient operation, allows our company to enjoy savings that others may not. That in combination with my hard work, allows them to generate a healthy balance sheet year over year. Tell me, if I could negotiate compensation similar to that of your wide bodies’ while possibly generating similar revenue, how does that hurt anyone else’s interests? Ever heard of, “a tide raises all boats?”

Regardless, you and I get what we negotiate. And, this is no longer your Daddy’s negotiating cycles of years past. If it was, there wouldn’t be Regional pilots making 300k plus money as we speak. Good on them!! Our side has different elephants in the room to address. Otherwise, we risk becoming a revolving door, where flying with seasoned FOs would be like a Sasquatch sighting! This I believe, could eventually have a direct affect on my QOL and stress levels while at work.