Originally Posted by
Rightseat Ballast
Socialized? Let's all fear regulation! Obama is out to dress us in red!
This industry only thrived during the period of regulation. It has been a downward spiral ever since. Heck, regional jets would never have had a market before deregulation occurred. Once deregulation happened, more competition arose. As competition came, air fares began to drop. Revenue margins dropped while pilot wages continued to climb for 20 years. Air fares then dropped to unhealthy levels as larger airlines tried to undermine smaller airlines, with the assumption that revenue from less competitive markets would offset the losses in key battleground markets. Revenue continued to decline, wages went up because the unions still were operating in a pre-deregulation mindset, and fleet renewal and appearances were neglected in trying to make ends meet. Here we are.
Our industry needs regulation. I agree with the notion that air travel should be treated as a utility. What we need even more than duty and rest regs now is regulated revenue. Airlines have not been able to set healthy price levels due to free market laws. If minimum air fares are set by the government, revenues will stabilize (relatively), and the airlines can focus on providing a safe product and and exceptional labor force again. Lack of regulation is why we suffer!
I agree - and I'm a regional pilot! I am able to have a job due to the fallout from deregulation. I tend to agree with the guys that say all flying that says Delta/AA/etc should be flown by mainline. Fly whatever size jet you want, as long as its owned by mainline. Is there some rule that says Delta can't buy an RJ? No. I understand that this will make the road from zero time to an airline cockpit longer, but at least there will be more hope for a mainline gig at some point.
In addition, to mainline guys: protect your scope! Mainline pilots havo no one to blame but mainline pilots for all the RJ's out there. Delta pilots allowed regionals to operate 76 seaters in excess of the number specified in the contract in exchange for a no furlough clause. And what are we looking at only a few short months later? Delta furlough rumors and people hoping that a judge will uphold the furlough clause in court. It shouldn't have gotten that far. "Oh you have too many 76 seat RJ's? Park 'em." Anyway, I know that's somewhat off the subject but it's a slippery slope to what we're dealing with now. Protect what the pilots before us have won through hard work and at the risk of their own jobs, and we won't have to talk about "taking it back"