Originally Posted by
eaglefly
I've been beaten up for saying pretty much the same thing. Market forces have tremendous pressure and unless mainline labor across the board will entertain long-term contracts at competitive regional rates, they'll see these aircraft proliferate at their expense.
The unions (ALPA and the APA) fumbled the ball back in the early 90's with the RJ itself and it seems as though history is about to repeat itself. The APA's current line in the sand philosophy for example, will ultimately fail, it's just that the method of faliure has yet to be determined.
DAL, UAL, AA and their union reps had better make acquisition of these aircraft under their control the utmost priority and that will mean compensatory sacrifice. The other option is to watch helplessly from the fence just as before.
tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock.........................
How profitable would the regionals be if they went it alone?
I'm betting even if all the flying was done at the regionals they would still be losing money. It has more to do with management than who's flying the planes. Just look after 911 how much was given up and that didn't make them profitable. Southwest is profitable and I'm betting most majors would love to have their pay and contract.