Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Personally I think that UAL will keep what it has as fas as RJs. I know the UA pilots are fed up with out-sourcing, and obviously the CAL group has one of the best major scopes.
The managers would have a real battle on their hands if they tried to further erode scope.
But by the same token, the pilots would be hard pressed to roll back UAL's 70 seaters, slappy is right in that the 70's are a key anchor of their current business model.
I would imagine the path of least resistance is status quo, keep what they have but no more large RJ's. The only way UCAL is going to get more 70's is by taking another quick trip through the BK drive through.
Alternatively, the pilots could bring all of the 70's back in house, but only if they are willing to fly them for near-regional rates.
But even adopting a regional pay scale might not be enough...competitive regionals not only have low rates, they are very low on the longevity scale. After 5-8 years, they are routinely replaced by startup or growth regionals with 1st. year FO's and 2-3 year CA's.
Who knows what the futue is going to bring. It's anyone's guess.
What i do know is that Regional Airlines Costs are going to go way up. There are plenty of people in their 30's, early 40's who have given up on going to a Major Airline. Because of many reasons. Age 65, 911 etc..
If you are making 100k plus at a regional and have a family it would be really difficult to take a 50% pay cut and loss of seniority.
Can you imagine pilots having spent 30plus years at a regional?
The pain. Age 65 screwed a lot of people.