Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
Flying for a regional is a demanding job as a pilot. Multiple legs that start before the majors and end long after they are at the hotel. They fly smaller underpowered, stuffed to the gills, turboprops into small often uncontrolled airports.
The major airline guys fly ILS to ILS while the regional pilot might fly several non-precision step down approaches in a day. Regional guys have short low level legs that leave them in the weather all day, icing up and getting shaken baby syndrome due to the turbulence.
A regional crew might make eight landings in a day while the wide body international crew struggles to maintain 3 landings in 90 days. It is no wonder that regional guys have more accidents. They are tired, worn out, under paid and exposed to riskier flying then major airline pilots. If anything the regional guys should be mentoring the complacent legacy pilots.
At the end of the day the regional pilot is bone tired and on his/her way to the nearest motel 6 for 8 short hours of rest while the major airline guy is sleeping in at the Embassy Suites on enough per diem to afford to buy a real breakfast.
Skyhigh
All valid reasons why that regional pilot should come to the game with some significant experience. (1500 hours and an ATP)
Also valid reasons why that regional pilot should be compensated more for his/her services. (Increasing the requirements lowers the supply, and the pay will have to go up)
Safer and better pay. Support 1500 hours and an ATP (no exceptions) for entry level Part 121 requirements.