As have said on another thread, a company is only as good as it's weakest link. In flying on some of DAL contract carriers, the level of service and performance leaves a lot to be desired. The customer still blames DELTA at the end of the day. I do not blame the regional pilot for this because much of this is out of his control. I blame DAL management for the relationships they establish with the regionals. SWA and AT do not have regionals therefore they do not have the problems tied to them that other mainline carriers do. Where is the motivation to do well when the regional guys are guranteed the bucks for the trip wheather the seats are full or not??? It seems as if there is a general attitude of not really giving a hoot about the operation and running a good operation. Not everyone concerned but a general kind of don't care attitude. Just my observation.

As for what the regional guys make -buck up and pound the pavement and get some more bucks.Many of alpa pilots have marched the picket lines for the mainline pay that we have today although it has been reversed somewhat with the recent spat of bankrupcy.

My take is that regionals were supposed to build markets and feed from smaller cities to the mainline hub. I think a good solution is to get back to this in that city size determine where the regional jets fly.

Everyone has paid his dues to get to where he is today. Everyone knows the game. If you don't like the starting pay, regional pay, or mainline pay find a new job. It is not the job it used to be. As i told a friend the other day "it's a sh--ty job now not a career."

So do RJs hurt main line??? Yes in the way the managements run them not because of the pilots.