Originally Posted by
tennisguru
People keep assuming that the only option the major airlines have when/if this huge pilot shortage hits is to suck everyone out of the regionals and either end the regionals or seriously change the current system. There is another, much more dangerous option out there, however, which entails continuing to shrink the majors while expanding the domestic flying that regionals do. That is managements wet dream right there - lots of C-series and E-195's flying for wages that are dirt. It's not a foregone conclusion, but it's one that we all need to keep a lookout for and hope that all the majors at a minimum hold the line on their scope, if not tighten it even further.
This is the key to everything right here. They can only do what we let them do. The entire bottom feeding regional industry can be taken care of in the next 10 years if we collectively as pilots step up to the plate, work together and do not budge on scope one inch. Establish an industry standard of 50 seats or less, with a maximum radius of 200 miles (straight line distance) en-route with populations under 200,000 people in a 50 mile radius of the airport being served. That would pretty much do it. Also close the door on multiple certificates under one holdings company. This will prevent regional whipsaws which further lowers pay and QOL. If we take away the ability to screw each other we'll all be happier.