At the risk of ****ing off my fellow heavy iron drivers, the problem IS with the majors. It began in the late 70's when the MEC's at the likes of USAir, Piedmont, EAL, DAL, CAL, NWA and anyone who had signed up "commuter partners" refused to put language in their contracts that would have allowed the commuters to become their "farm teams." Management was brilliant; they knew the day would come that the commuter guys would be ****ed for not having the chance to move up. And when they couldn't get the mainline guys to give in on concessions, hell, just move the flying to the commuters. Make them happy and **** off the mainline guys.
And here we are. Mainline guys who as commuter pilots could not get hired by their big brother went to another mainline and now hate the "little guy" they forget they once were. Ex military guys (no offense intended here at all guys), don't see how some guy flying an RJ or Turboprop for years could POSSIBLY have the experience they have or has any right to take their job, because they trained hard to get where they are too. The guy on the RJ, who hauls the folks out of East Bum*&^ to the hub for the big guy's is treated like third world trash by many mainline guys whose ego's well exceed their IQ's. And when the mainline guys (some, not all) hear the word "furlough," they feel "entitled" to take the RJ guys job because after all...it's MY flying!
BS.
The flying belongs to everyone. Management has and will continue to play pilots for suckers because they know we're greedy, self serving and will screw each other in a heartbeat if it means a better trip, more days off or more bucks in the paycheck to pay for toys we're "entitled" to.
Want the proof? Look around. When have we ever stood up for each other unless there was something in it for ourselves? Anyone NOT know pilots at our own carriers who prostitute themselves and crow about it? Do we; indivudually, or as groups, demand that they be held accountable for screwing the rest of us or the profession as a whole?
Has our beloved and all powerful ALPA ever said that a picket line at an airport should NEVER be crossed by pilots from ANY ALPA carrier? Ya think THAT might have gotten managements attention?
Of course not. It's easier to sit on the bench and whine, point fingers and blame the RJ guys.
We big iron guys ARE the ones who can and should demand change. If our leadership won't do it, RECALL THEM. And if the new guys don't do it, recall their asses too. Start supporting the RJ's and you start supporting yourself. Management will begin to realize that when we collectively as pilots stand together...regardless of the carrier or union affiliation...they have no choice but to deal with us.
As long as we continue to let them call the shots, nothing will change. The only difference will be that as ALPA continues to lose it's strength and credibility, the wedge will be driven deeper by management, and that RJ driver everyone seems so happily to collectively crap on today will be much less inclined to give a damn about you when you need his support and come to him with the "unity and brotherhood" speech in your hour of need.
Now before any "Johnny come lately's" out here accuse me of being an RJ shill...I was a "commuter puke" in the early 80's. Our code share partner would not hire us, so all us senior guys went to other majors, UAL, EAL, DAL and others. I've been through 5 airline bankruptcies and a personal one caused by three of them. Lost everything including a nice retirement. And now fly heavy iron again, hopefully with the last carrier in my career if I'm lucky.
If the day ever comes that I can't reach back and try to help improve the chances of others or the future members of this profession...I'll walk away. It may leave me digging ditches, but I'll have my integrity and will be able to sleep at night.
OK...off the soapbox...standing by for arrows and grenades.