Originally Posted by
laserman2431
Boosted. I agree with your premise that we should hope for more mainline jobs over the long haul. The problem is that we, pilot types, really don't have any control over what planes the companies decide to buy or how the companies use their planes. Or at least very little say in those decisions. We just fly the planes. The consumers, the company management and the government have much more control over those decisions.
Our government has taken a very laissez-faire approach to all of this. In Japan, you see very few regional jets. That is because their government will not allow their routes to become crowded. Japanese airlines would probably love to use RJs for their short routes as much as we do but the government has established rules that discourage them.
I'm afraid we are kind of stuck with the situation that we have. And there may even be more transferring to smaller planes here. I think we should try to focus more on trying to increase the benefits for those who are/will be flying those planes.
Very good point. In Japan and elsewhere like Korea or Germany, airline industry is highly regulated and hence fewer RJs. Plus, all pilots are under one seniority system unlike here.
Just want to add, mainline senior pilots from prior military flying background who has been influencing the major airline hiring process for the past 20 years or so are responsible for this turbine time requirement. This requirement has forced many pilots to get that precious turbine time by flying for regionals for peanuts. If there was no turbine time requirement, I suspect fewer pilots will opt for regionals. Instead, more will stay instructing or fly corporate.