Adriane,

Consider these things to discuss;

First- many if not most civilian-trained pilots start their careers (that is before reaching regional airlines) as flight instructors, like myselfforexample. The American public should know that a flight instructor deals with handling risk on a daily basis whilst delivering an education to their students. For example, imagine the nerves and patience required to teach people to land an airplane in a strong gusty crosswind. I am tired of the public praising military pilots while berating civilian pilots as if we are novices.

Next, find out what the pay, benefits, and quality of life standards for flight instructors? In short, rather poor. In my opinion this sets into motion a desperation to get on with a regional in order to get a seniority number and hopefully a better quality of life.

I'd also say that civilian trained pilots have paid 50 to over 100 thousand dollars for their flight training alone (depending on what school they have attended). To be clear that figure excludes the cost of a degree. Saddled with all this debt, folks are desperate to reverse the cash flow, and companies take advantage of this.

So please take a look at this issue from the perspective of pilots in training, and that of flight instructors giving that training, to help set the scene for what is going on at the regional airlines. You see, one feeds the other, and so on.

Best,