I want to post something I see as an observation from someone who is on the outside of the (regional) industry looking in. Before I begin, I do want to say something else, because my posts have been misinterpreted by more than a few.

While I did not fly for any regional airline in my previous jobs, I have had to deal with low pay, poor working conditions and very little in the area of quality of life. I mention this because I can certainly give empathy to those who do experience this. Now for my observation.

First, the landscape has changed dramatically as compared to even ten years ago. I see the regional airline industry as the "new normal" in airline structure. Yes, the majors still provide a lot of service, but who has been growing and who has been shrinking over the past decade? The regionals used to be nothing more than a stepping stone for many as they gained hours and experience to prepare them for a better job. Now, this is going to be a career for many people.

Second, many are still getting into this profession under two premises. First, many simply want to fly and do not care about the wages - i.e., their desire to fly outweighs some of the negatives. Second, many enter this profession convinced they are going to be among those who do move on to "bigger and better" things. I don't have anything against either of these two thoughts, although one must exercise caution and know beforehand what they are getting into.

And that is what leads to my beef with threads such as these. I completely understand what it means to pursue a goal with a strong desire for that goal. What I vehemently oppose is the attitude of some on this board who exercise one of "entitlement".

Nothing is guaranteed. If you have 1000 hours of PIC jet, a degree and a squeaky clean record, that does not mean that you are automatically entitled to a job at a major. That is what many (nobody in particular) on these and other message boards seem to think. As I mentioned on another thread, the playing field has never been a level one.

Many want to advance in their careers and better themselves - who wouldn't? But for those of you out there who are impatient for any reason or think you need to be somewhere else because of what you have or because of your experience, I would suggest that you will a problem not just in this industry, but in any for that matter.

Just my $0.02.