Continental created Continental Express from five regional airlines years ago. When I was hired at Express, they had 80 turbo-props. CAL eventually ordered 275 RJ's and grew Express into a large regional carrier. The pilots (like me) fought and got a good contract. Contract '95 sucked, '97 was better, and so was the next. CAL is the brand name, and Continental Express (which became Expressjet) was sold off. CAL is a business and is in the business of making money and staying in business. I spent 9 years at Express and got out ASAP. I thought I'd be there a year or two, but the whole RJ thing happend. I was against anything over 25 RJ's at Express because I didn't want a career at a regional. CAL did what it needed to do with Express business-wise. While I don't agree with most of it; it is done. They are now two separate companies and ExpressJet has no right to anything at CAL. They are not CAL and CAL does what it wants (to a certain point- I know about the CPA). I think Express should have been added to CAL and all jet flying done by CAL pilots (via hiring all the Express pilots, of course). CAL doesn't want a stronger pilot group that gets paid more. 8000 CAL pilots instead of 5000. RJ pay would go up at a "major". CAL is now going to the lowest bidder to save money. OK, I understand that, but like many have said before, "you get what you pay for." Express flying is now done by many different companies in different aircraft. Express pilots no longer have the leverage they once had. Another smart move by CAL management. This is unfortunate, but I saw it coming years ago. Don't get upset at CAL, they are a business, we pilots are nothing to them. Don't bet on a career at a regional, no matter how good it is now. They rely on the majors and it will always be that way. If CAL can get an airline to fly CAL routes for less with pilots who get paid less they will. There are plenty of pilots who will do you job for less. It's a shame, but true. Most instructors get paid $10-20/hr to fly a C152. Regionals will offer them an RJ for more money and less work. Easy choice to make, but it lowers the whole profession. Today's economy doesn't help matters either. Good luck to all and hang in there. There are worse jobs than flying ones.