Originally Posted by
MatchPoint
I agree with almost everything but 2 years ago – present day I bet Chip was / is doing a little jig every time a pilot quit (especially a Captain). You know as well as I do that airlines have a hard time seeing past the hands in front of their faces. Respectfully SKW has been one of the better ones at seeing into the future but during a time when profits are shrinking and cost are growing I guarantee Chip was a happy man every time one of his pilots hit the road.
In 2 years I don't think all that much will change as there are plenty of instructors out their who meet ATP mins and are giddy with the thought of back-filling us. Now in 4-5+ years that's a completely different story. I foresee the regionals being in a lot of trouble come 2016 and beyond. And by 2020 I see the regional industry being 1/2 or less the size it is today.
I dont think so;
maybe I can agree that chip is happy when a senior Captain leaves because in his eyes he is getting expensive but the rest....naaaahh
you are not taking into considaration that Delta is taking 300 this year and 300 next year, JBLUE took 120 this year and is planning on taking 200 2011, Virgin America is hiring, Atlas Air and other Cargo operators are hiring and have taken Skywest pilots and among the Regionals Eagle, Pinnacle and others have already started hiring.
We have lost over 200 pilots in the seniority list at Skywest in the last 3 years without hiring anyone and the amount that are leaving is increasing for every month.
The 1500 hour rule passed and today in the news they are talking at even harder demands to be able to get hired by a Regional.
Also, when interviews are taken at skywest not all can handle it, I've seen 45% getting employed and heard of numbers as low as 2 in 9 at the interview being offered employment so to think that all out there are qualified to be offered employment is wrong.
Times will get very interesting and it is the right time right now to fight for better pay and get back the respect that the pilot profession deserves and lost in the last 10 years..........