Daily Caller article on Regionals
 

Airlines Costs And Less Pilot Experience | The Daily Caller

Pretty interesting read.

Interesting that the author is a 'professional pilot', didn't use his real name, and only vaguely hinted that higher pay at regionals might cure the perceived risks.

One glaring error. Regionals flying half of the flights for the majors does not equal half of all the passengers flying on a regional aircraft. Regionals are smaller seating capacity (remember you heard it here first). (i.e. A 50 or 76 seat plane does not carry as many passengers as a 150 +/- seat plane.)

Also, very few FO today are starting at $19K per year. A few years ago that was the case. Further, a lot more regional pilots are getting hired by the majors. These sound like data of a few years ago. Things are changing rapidly.

Otherwise, an interesting read.

If I wrote an unlettered opinion piece for a trash publication like the Daily Caller, I wouldn't want to use my real name either.

That’s exactly the truth that the public needs to hear.

Good point!

Unfortunately, many here wont catch this as the fine sarcasm that it is

That op-ed was a one-sided inaccurate slanted steaming pile of crap. I want the last 3 minutes of my life back :(

There is some misinformation in the details but he makes many valid general points. The flight schools are responsible for the lies about the career. They do tell everyone that they will all go to mainline. If you are new to aviation you may not know where or how to get the truth. Most people go on what the schools are telling them. If a prospective student knew it's possible they could get stuck at a regional they might choose a different career.

Which regional airline in 2018 pays so low that you qualify for EBT??

No wonder he's so unhappy because he seems to be working for that ONE airline since it was his FO who used the card...

Then he goes on complaining about his FOs who are qualified not being hired by the majors, at the same time he complains about the low quality of new applicants. Isn't it at least good for safety if the good FOs can't leave? Haha

The thing I liked the least is that he advises passengers to be scared of flying in regionals. Thanks dude I wish I could return the disfavor somehow.

This article sounds like it was written in 2010 not 2018


PS I didn't know US Air 737-400s were operated by regional pilots (title picture)