Guess my point is that this industry is very cyclical. I haven't had it as bad as others, but I've been furloughed twice, from the same company, before they went under. This is my first 121 and I love my job, but I can do anything and make my current salary. Whether we've hit bottom yet, or this company shuts the doors in two years, I refuse to panic or worry about what may or may not happen down the road. That panic is what the string pullers are banking on.

 

Comair was replaced during 250 hour minimums and a glut of pilots on the street. Eagle has not been replaced and the only reason their flying is getting staffed elsewhere is because other 121 pilots are chasing the quick upgrade. That musical chair is already at it's wits end.

As for 2/3 of the 50 seat fleet getting reduced and more flying going to mainline, good.

Exactly. The flying won't be staffed elsewhere unless ASA and XJT pilots go there to help out and those other airlines park airplanes.

The leverage is here. More flying to mainline and an overall reduction of regional flying is even better. That is how you spot a regional pilot pay shortage.

Vote in concessions. Didn't do Endeavor any good other than getting their planes parked quicker.

Republic is parking airplanes to staff the ones they are getting. Skywest will be parking plenty of their smaller airplanes to staff the 175s. TSA is staffing with other 121 pilots and will be parking their 50 seaters once street CA phase wears off.

Regionals are having problems staffing. They are staffing with other 121 regional pilots. Musical chairs is not a solution to the staffing shortage and the more pilots that go to mainline, the more they will have to reduce their lift or hand out pay raises.

Leverage is something you just don't get.

 

Panic? The "string pullers" you're referring to have a plan. You're either going to be part of it, or make a change. Cheaper regional lift is still attainable for the legacies. And people that make the lateral move to some of these carriers to chase an upgrade only reinforces that. Some companies are getting captains at first or second year pay. While it may be good for the individual, it really hurts those at companies like ExpressJet that are fighting for more. You're right about this industry being cyclical. A dozen years or so when the RJ's started coming in droves to the regionals the pressure was on mainline. Now that the 50 seat RJ's have a bullseye on them the pressure is at the regional leval. To further complicate matters, mainline's continual beat down of its regional partners has made this industry very unattractive for student pilots

 

Oh, I'm pretty sure I get it. What is that saying? "Can't see the forest for the trees". How can you be so blind as to what's been going around you? Name just one regional pilot group that has demonstrated this leverage you speak of. Look at Sears, Radio Shack, Circut City, Kmart, etc. These companies either have been or are in the process of being phased out because their competitors can offer their products cheaper. The same thing is happening for contract lift. I'll look forward to ExpressJet breaking this very simple and smart business practice

 

Nope. You can be part of the pilot groups willling to work for less, or be part of those that refuse to and wait for the pay increases or overall regional-mainline shift to come. Your call.

Endeavor.

I guess receiving a $20,000 pay increase, for each payscale, for the next four doesn't compute with you. They never had to vote in concessions, but the act of giving them all $20,000/year increase in salary is very indicative of leverage.

 

What



10 char

 

What planet are you on? You clearly missed when they did vote in concessions.

 

"They never had to" as in they didn't have to.

Voting in to concessions led to massive attrition and the parking of their 50 seat airplanes that was going to happen regardless. The $20,000 annual bonus for all pilots was a result of Delta's inability to replace the Endeavor pilots.

Understanding the leverage the regional pilots now have is a good start for everyone facing this dilemma.

You're welcome to vote in concessions and help INC out if you choose. Only will lead to increased attrition and faster parking of your 50 seat fleets. Or you can keep your current pay and ask for better, while making INC go to mainline for solutions, such as more money to attract candidates and retain their current pilots.

 

That makes sense.

 

This is exactly what is happening at a very rapid pace. ASA and XJT FO's are leaving in droves for the other regionals. I've flown with several in the last few months that are going to PSA, TSA, Endeavor, Compass...you name it.