I rode in a 550 about a month ago. I thought that the closets for the luggage were a little strange, but the customers absolutely loved it. I heard several different conversations around me about how much they liked being able to bring luggage onboard rather than have to stand in a cold jetway or ramp and wait for their bags to be brought up. They also liked the dual class cabin. The plane definitely feels more roomy than either the E145 or CRJ 200. It is just a far superior product than a single class 50 seat plane. Most people think that they are miserable.

If it’s what it takes for those folks to still have a coffee ... then all bets are off and they’ll drive the wages down to Maxwell House airline private label coffee levels.

It all depends on how deep the fear and depression gets. Those regional FO rates could easily be cut in half again and there still be lines around the block (social distancing be dammed) for those jobs if the world doesn’t get its act together soon.

Never under estimate the power of the market to drive wages down when the alternative is living under a bridge. It’s been so long since the upper 1/2 of the western world has seen this scenario that everyone is discounting it.

Trust me quite a few know how much you make since we were flying those exact 50 seaters for less then you. We fought the battle to bring pay up

Good info to know. The 700/900 are much better overall than a 200.

They stopped converting any and all 700’s to 550’s over a month ago. It’s on hold indefinitely.

Top managers are fighting for survival, but don’t think they don’t have FH still working behind the scenes to exploit this and any other situation for future negotiations. They never stop working.

Scope no longer matters to me, but I spent 17 years living under the pressure of whipsaw and scope. Both those things bring down labor costs, real numbers that they work tirelessly at. They don’t care who flies them as long as the person doing it is the absolute cheapest. Economics has worked against them the last few years, now they have an opportunity to reverse that and they’re not going to let it pass without capitalizing on it...even in the midst of crisis, it’s their dna.

The 550 is great, but it’s just a Trojan horse for scope. Operating cost is still that of a CRJ-700, doubtful the increased operating cost is offset by the increased premium class cabin. Most of which seems to be free upgrades. But as a product, it is excellent.

Youre right the 50 seaters are a little cramped-the CRJ-200 is terrible, the E145 not so bad especially if you get a ‘A’ seat by itself. For comparison, have you been in coach in the new 739? I’d take the E145 over it any day. Cattle class on the new mainline aircraft is a horrible product and compares well with Spirit or Allegiant.

My point is if they’re really looking to reduce costs and look at the quality of the product, we have some work to do even at UAL.

amen..........36.62

$13.73/hr BE1900 I fought the good fight. Fvk no on scope.

Curious why we are still proceeding with getting the ex TSA ships if Kirby wants to shut us down.