Originally Posted by
FmrFreightDog
You make a very good point here, and I'm willing to admit that my first post was overstating the "lifer" effect a bit. However, I still think everyone needs to understand that that element is alive and well at the regional level, and it's not insignificant. My feeling is that it is steadily growing as well.
If anything they may talk the talk but in reality few are walking the walk. Ask all of those "pilots within ALPA" if they have apps in at the majors. Most will freely admit yes. They "fear" being stuck. I know in the earlier part of last decade I did not know the way this career was going to turn. I was giving it until 33. After that point, I would have explored other options. (I already was but not acting on them)
More would admit it or decide to do it when there is 1) career progression not stagnation at the majors, and 2) less of a threat that their jobs will be outsourced from the bottom of the mainline list. UAL wins or even holds the line at 70 and it will mean a lot of furloughees will get their jobs back. It will also mean more jobs at the mainline.
It has only been a few years since CH11. Going forward I assume the natural progression of ones career will go back to more of the way it was pre 9-11.