Are the majors that much better these days than a good regional
 

I’m still in the process of figuring out where I ultimately want to end up in my career. My ultimate goal is to move out west. DEN would be first on my list, but SLC would work fine for me as well. Basically, I could accomplish this in one of two ways. Get on with United or Frontier in the next 4 or so years or attempt to get a job with SkyWest in the next few months. I posted a similar question about this a month or so and I think my decision ultimately comes down to this.

Do the majors really offer that much more than a good regional like SkyWest in this day and age. I realize that carriers like United and Frontier pay much more, but strictly from a quality of life perspective what would be the differences between the two. I’m looking for specific differences such as number of days off work rules, etc. If the majors are only marginally better these days, would this difference be enough to justify loosing you’re seniority.

Last time I posted about this, the general consensus was that I should stick with Mesaba, get my upgrade and move on. I agree and if I do plan to move on to a larger airline, then I will stick it out and get my PIC (Thanks to those who helped me make this decision). On the other hand, if I decide I want to make a career at SkyWest, then giving up my few months of seniority wouldn’t be that bad.

As good as SKW may or may not be to work for, as a codeshare they are not in full control of their company's destiny. They can be booted by UAL, DAL, etc anytime in the future. Personally, I'd take my chances with a major because the earning and QOL potential to me make it worth it. Do you really want to fly an RJ for the next 20-25 years?

Majors sell their own tickets. Regionals are effectively subcontractors. The majors therefore control their own destinies. This generally leads to better pay and work rules. A subcontractor will never have better pay and work rules than the prime, you can't compete on price with the guy who is hiring you b/c you are less expensive than his own operation (unless you provide something they need that they don't have, doesn't apply to airlines in the regional jet realm right now). As legacy carriers shift to international focus and subcontracting domestic capacity to "regionals", the gap between a regional pilot and a domestic mainline pilot will narrow. Unfortunately, it'll probably work opposite the way we'd prefer. Mainline domestic pay will come down as they play their labor forces against the threat of domestic outsourcing.

Of course this all changes if the mainlines decide to take back the "regional" capacity.

I would say that pilot groups of American, Alaska, and Continental - all of whom will sign a new CBA in the next 2 years (hopefully) will all see their narrow body payscales increase.

I assume SWA (who are also in section 6 negotiations) will see an increase in pay but I'm not deadset on it like the carriers above.

UAL and NWA have a few years left on their existing deals.

I know Spirt is going to mediation but don't know how that'll go.

Take if for what it's worth I don't think we will see major narrow body domestic guys take a paycut anytime soon.

Even if the money looks to be sort of close between the good regionals and the majors, take a look under the surface at things like benefits and retirement. The "good" regionals seem to have a 10-15 year life span and then "POOF". Look at the past leaders. Prinair, Ransome, Henson, I bet many of you have never even heard of some of them. On a shorter horizon you are seeing the downfall of Comair, AMR Eagle, Air Wisconsin, and ASA. Skywest looks good now but they'll have their day. Over a career you are much better off at the major even if the money looks to be close at the moment.

You have to decide what you want. Do you want top end equipment at retirement to possibly be a 90 seater or do you want to eventually go international. I have flown at both a regional and a major and there is NO comparison. QOL even junior is light years ahead of a major.

The larger question is what the future is for the regionals. Oil above $50/barrel makes it uneconomical to operate the 50 seat RJs. Oil above $90 or $100/barrel makes it highly probable that many 50 seaters will get parked. Furloughs will most likely occur and those that aren't will most likely face paycuts in order to maintain the viability of their operations. The majors have restructured and are better equipped to ride out the economic impact of high oil, etc. Even so, mergers are probable. The regionals may also face a new round of M & A activity as larger economies of scale will be necessary to maintain competitiveness.

I would rather be at a major with a large international operation as larger aircraft flying high yield passengers will better be able to ride out the high cost environment.

All these pilots speak the truth.

I'd say prepare yourself for the majors. If oil stays anywhere near $80-100/barrel the regionals will quickly become cost-prohibitive for operations. At todays prices for oil (even 50% of todays prices) a 50 seat jet is just not economically feasible.

The people at Eagle will soon discover what the folks at Xjet already understand - the 50 seat jets are on their way out. The regionals will shrink drastically unless they can acquire larger jets around the majors scope clauses.

Five years ago AWAC was THE regional to be at. Pay was industry leading by a long way. QOL was great. Practically a major and if you were from DEN or ATW or ORD there was no huge need to go to a major.

Fast forward to today....


'nuf said.

What goes up, comes down. Same can happen to SKW and RAH. I don't wish it upon anyone and those are the companies I would go to if I could start over (in the US) four years ago, but your best long-term bet is probably at a major.

But you really do have to look where you want to be and what you want to do.

Did you mean to say "at a major" versus "of a major"?
A lot of us feel like we are treated like drek at our company's. When we feel that way we should try and remember what it was like to really be treated like drek at a regional.