And that's the issue - a "regional" pilot is no longer paying dues for a few years with the realistic expectation to progress to a "major". Instead, because of [bankruptcy induced] scope relaxation at the majors regional flying is expanding and mainline flying is shrinking. You don't have to be an economist to figure out what that does to manpower needs. Regional" flying has suddenly becomes a career prospect.

In the last 20 years "Regional flying" has gone from true regional routes flying turboprop equipment under part 135, to narrowbody jets flying near-transcon segments under part 121. Major airlines are effectively outsourcing narrow body flying and again, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the career progression for labor.

On the other end of the spectrum, American, United, and Continental are actively lobbying for Anti Trust Immunity. ATI, if passed will outsource US airline jobs that currently operate International routes to overseas workers. This is a big deal that's getting very little press from any of the national unions. If you haven't done so already - read this thread and TAKE ACTION it only takes a few minutes. http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ma...ght-scope.html

Pilot compensation should be suitable to support a family with work rules that allow a decent quality of life. Are we there? And what are you willing to do about it?