Originally Posted by eaglefly

But the above misses one VERY important aspect (perhaps THE most important). The economical viability of these aircraft at mainline ISN'T just about pilots. If it were, they'd be much easier to be placed there. You have to consider the TOTAL labor package. Mainline mechanics, F/A's, Agents and FSC's all will command more via "me too" contracts. That's a certainty. Then when you factor in the greater leverage these labor groups have vs. the typical regional (and they DO have greater leverage), they have the ability to gradually "raise the bar" and ratchet up cost at a greater rate then regional competition. If these aircraft WERE NOT already entrenched at the regional level THEN that is when you could make a play for mainline operation. As I've said dozens of times here that needed to be done 15 years ago, but ALPA dropped the ball. There was still room within the last 5-7 years for better treatment of this cancer improving the odds of controlling it better and giving the patient both a longer life and a better quality of life, but that period was actually wasted on WIDENING divisions among pilots. I know....I'm one of the "losers" frequently blamed for the problem.