Originally Posted by
Rhino Driver
You sound like a young guy. I would suggest you look to a different profession if you're going to be happy making 60K a year, regardless of your reasons. I, WE AS A PROFESSION INCLUDED, didn't invest all this time and energy, blood, sweat, tears, and a little combat in between, too come back to a profession that has been torn apart and ravaged because of people like you. I suggest you go to Burger King or McDonalds. As long as you've got a college degree, and I'm hoping you do, you should have no trouble getting into a management program making 60K per year!
Everybody has a situation they have to live with right? For example, I spent 20 years of my life in the military, retired, and now at the ripe young age of 44 am currently flying for a 50 to 86 seat regional. I consider myself to be pretty open minded, relatively tolerant of differing points of view on ANY subject. After all it's just conversation, not combat right? I've seen my fair share of deployments and campaigns. Here's the thing, I see as I stated in my original first post, and you just made my point for me.
Do you really believe that regional carriers are the cause for the so called race to the bottom? This argument of "that life is soo good that pilots are'nt willing to work to get to what should be the pinnacle of a pilot's career, the "Majors." I agree with you that in the last 15 or so years, regional carriers have become to look more and more like the Legacy carriers they work with.., yes. Regionals have evolved from short hop turbo props to 86+ seat jets capable of transcontinental range, equipped with the latest in modern avionics, and all the comforts and conveniences, yadda yadda.
I'll be the first to admit, that I may very well spend the next 21 years of my remaining flying career right here. And the way things are looking, I'm gonna be see a six figure salary here (luck and health permitting of course). Not to shabby if you ask me. Doesn't mean I'm closing the door to opportunity, but the single biggest impediment to me leaving for a Major carrier is the seniority system as it exists today. So after having completed one career, I'm well aware of what it's gonna take to make me happy.
Now.., let me ask you a rhetorical question.., what do you think the single biggest reason is that podunk regional carriers evolved to what we have today? Beggining the "race to mediocrity." or the bottom for that matter?
One word..., SCOPE. Who has control of scope.., um I think that woiuld the pilots who are employed at the respective "Major" carriers. The simple fact is, regionals didn't "Steal" anything, it was GIVEN away by pilots senior to you and me, for what ever reason or concession management gave them in return.
Don't take my word for it, ask any senior Capt at your carrier. Any rational pilot who's been paying attention in this industry will know what I'm saying. Regional pilots aren't the bad guys, we as a pilot group are selling our selves out for a buck or a job security (a promise to not furlough) or more flying you name it. Somebody sold our profession to management piece by piece in order to prevent an undesirable outcome, or for some short term negotiated benefit. What ever the reason is irrelevant.
So now that we are WAAAY of topic I'll atempt to steer us back on by saying if anybody is still interested please follow this link and take a look, at what this person had to say on the subject of a National Seniority List two years ago.
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/un...rity-list.html