wow................:o


Its funny, EVERYONE should hope to GOD that EXPRESSJET doesn't go under, make no mistake about IT WE LEAD the regional world in contract & QOL, thats not an opinion either, We go out their will be little to "strive" for come contract time

Bottom line, XJ aside, or any company that currently operates 50-Seat RJs should be extremely weary in this day in age. No pilots wants to see his/her fellow pilots out on the street, especially the way airline consolidation and overall industry changes are occurring. But the majors need to cut the fat, and the regionals are a place to cut a lot of that fat.

At the end of the day, all the flying done at the regional level is dictated by what the majors decide. The majors can click there fingers and shut down a regional company just like that, look at the kick Mesa just took by Delta.

Flight frequency at the regional will go down, and mainline flying will grow. That is the reality of where this industry is going.

Funny though, thats exactly what it is.

I see your point, but I'm not sure I agree entirely.

Given the efficiencies required for a regional to make money, it wouldn't surprise me if the cost to carry a passenger on the RJ is the same or lower than on mainline.

It's often discussed that RJs are less fuel efficient and thus more costly to operate on a per-seat basis. I do not contest this. What often isn't considered is other operational efficiencies that regionals specialize in: quick turns, fleet commonality, and a high rate of aircraft utilization.

Mainlines are much better at making money on longer-haul legs. Until such time that more mainline carriers are able to operate shorter legs with greater cost effectiveness (ala Southwest), I see their growth in international and longer domestic routes. Regional flying may take a hit in the near future, but mostly due to a current overcapacity in the domestic system.

the sooner this "my airline is better than yours" crap ends..the better off we'll all be

CONTRACTS MEAN NOTHING IF THE PILOTS VOTE TO CUT IT DOWN. And they will if the company has them running scared about the companys financial future.

(Note the AAL Q1 loss thread)

Comair. #2 example.

how many concessions have they taken, and freezes in the past 3 years and how much growth has happened?

Comair had the best contract ever given to a regional pilot group, and it's a shadow of what it was.

I'm not saying that the regional jet days are numbered, but I believe we will see a combination of two things:
1.) Resurgence of turboprops on medium-short haul doemstic routes (less 400nm
2.) Larger capacity domestic regional jets (80-100 seats)

This bickering back and forth about which regional is better and has the best contract is silly and immature. It's a business, and comapanies need to operate in a matter that will keep them in business, so that ALL employees can benefit and still have a place to work. You can have the best labor contract in all the world, but if your company goes out of business what good will it be?

What are you going to do with the best contract and QOL when the company goes under? I don't see the branded make it pass this summer.

Go to your MEC and ask them who's contract they're going to use at their next negotiation.

You wouldn't retain Longevity and medical and travel benefits in a furlough.

By the way, the length of the COLA gives you an insight into the likelihood of furlough, NOT the COLA itself. The break-even point financially on a furlough is 9 months. Less than 9 months, the company actually loses money by furloughing...which means had they offered 6-9 month COLA's, then ya, start worrying. They didn't, so we're not.

What costs does the company incur to furlough a pilot?