I don't understand why some folks thing regional pilots and mainline pilots have different goals. It is a myth at best.

 

Excellent post

 

You are correct.

At most, ALPA has a problem in the rare instance that one MEC starts to negotiate something that might harm another MEC. In that case, ALPA National provides a forum and method of resolution. (we know who the most powerful LEC and MEC are in ALPA)

The answer to any conflict of interest is UNITY. One can not fight with itself. Scope can be restored by building bridges and letting ALPA members participate together in the process.

Up to now, scope has not been restored because our local leadership has not reached a consensus to achieve that goal. It is not an ALPA National issue, it is a local issue with a local answer.

I am encouraged by the positions taken by our current Reps and our MEC's action to preserve Compass and Mesaba employment.

 

You are correct majors/regionals don't have different goals. What we both want is to get the most flying for the most money. The difference is we both want it for our own companies!

 

The commuters of today are much larger than those of yesterday. Partly as a result of this many will not be able to move on to a major, resulting in many more staying at the commuter for their entire careers.

I think we will continue to see a lot of pressure from the senior pilots at the commuters to capture more flying via larger aircraft.

It is true DAL is parking a lot of 50 seaters, and this is good for mainline pilots but I don't think a lot of regional guys are happy about it. What happens in the 76-124 seat market is all important and remains to be seen.

Scoop

 

If DAL mainline gets more Aircraft or taks flying from one of their regional carriers, this is a good thing overall as it will create more Main line jobs at higher rates with better benefits. DAL will hire Pilots!.

This is good for DAL and Good for the Industry especially if DALPA improves
their scope clause. Hopefully a new BAR is set and UA/CAL, ALA, AA and USair will meet or exceed this in their coming contracts.

True it is bad (in the short term) for the regionals who lose flying but the vast majority of Regional pilots have their sights set on getting on with a Major. More Major jobs is goos for everybody.

Also realize that much of the Regional flying currently being done was once done by Mainline and this flying was Outsourced to Lower labor costs.

Simply Put. Which is a better scenario......Growing Majors or Growing Regionals?

 

Of course, but therin lies the rub. Flying at mainline stays at mainline (until and unless mainline gives it away of course). But any new flying regionals "gain" can't possibly be a lasting gain for anyone's company or seniority list. If DAL/UAL/ETC agree tomorrow to outsource the E190/195 or C series, some regionals will of course get that flying. But it won't last unless they are committed to permantly being the low bidder. To get today's RFP for growth AND to KEEP tomorrow's RFP for existing flying. That will mean competing against other regionals who will always be just as hungry as you for growth, upgrades, seniority list advancement and the like. So the seat count would go up, and maybe even with a temporary raise/upgrades, but in the long run it will be back to today's status quo and likely less. As an added bonus, there will be fewer better jobs to go to, by choice or necessity. And at the end of the day the sector as a whole won't be any more secure.

That is why any additional flying to the regionals on behalf of a mainline partner is bad for the careers of both. The quick high of regional upgrades, which to no small irony and no small part is looked upon as a good thing for the PIC building opportunities to eventually go to a mainline carrier for many (and even helpes drive SJS based low bidding in the first place) becomes a self fulfilling prophecy that drags down the mainline and all regionals anyway.

 

That is incorrect. I fly at Compass. Why would I want more flying here? I want Delta to grow and CPZ to shrink down to nothing. All of us do.

Most regional pilots do not want more flying on the regional side. We know it leads to more crappy jobs.

 

Speaking for myself I am glad to see the 50 seaters go away. I feel for the people who lost their jobs and I was one of them. But in order for long term gains regional pilots will have to deal with some short losses. The majority of regional pilots want more higher paying jobs at mainline. Plain and simple.

 

Except the lifers... and there are more of them than you'd think!