I think we've seen enough of this. Many have seen enough of their jobs disappear to cheaper regionals, & are ready to put a stop to it.

 

I'm with you. I'm just pessimistic about a labor component's ability to reverse undeniable market and economic forces.

 

Because people sitting in the seat next to them gave up scope to regionals at some point to save their own tails. The state of the industry right now has a number of contributing factors...

Nobody's happy about it. Hopefully those that have been put out at the major level by their own counterparts come to their senses. While jumpseating on a mainline flight the crew I got talking. The captain, a fairly senior gent, stated how he would never fly an RJ no matter how big it is. The FO was on the other end of the spectrum, saying how he can't believe that regionals have anything more than 50 seat aircraft.

Regionals are no longer "regionals". Much of North America can be reached by an RJ from a domestic hub now-a-days. I sit right sit in CRJ-900 that has replaced a number of old mainline routes. Why? Old school pilots didn't want the flying when it was on their plate. Now we're all getting the shaft.

I for one would love to see mainline pilots re-claim regional flying. A lot of folks with have to swallow their pride and put their ego aside for this to happen. CRJ7/900s, EMB170(190 NOW!?!) do not belong at regionals. It will only better the future of the industry for both regional and mainline pilots to return the flying to where it belongs.

I realize this is a ramble of a post, excuse the grammar and think about the points

 

I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm also not denying that there are Mainline pilots that have the I'll never fly an RJ mentality. I for one don't think the CRJ900 is an RJ. I think of it as a DC9 with a smaller cabin. I want it at Mainline, just like the E170/190.

 

It should say Chautauqua/Midwest

 

Wow, somebody drinks the koolaid

 

This figure is just pilot cost and doesn't account for all the other costs involved. ASA has been working on there cost for some time now and i'm sure they have significantly reduced them from what they were. Skywest would be the same if they had as many lifers as ASA does.

 

RAISE TICKET PRICES!!!!!!!! End of story. The public just like a gas hike will still pay it......Only way to save us all.

 

Truer words were never spoken, Magee. Well typed anyway.

 

That would be the correct assessment.

Overall, the domestic market will contract just as the International market is also doing. I would expect the regional level to grow fairly modestly while the domestic mainline level to shrink substantially.

The overwhelming remainder of the 50-seat or less RJ's will eventually be replaced by single class 70-seaters or 85 seat aircraft configured to perhaps 75-80 in mixed class. That will be the growth/replacement of the domestic market over the next 5-7 years. Wheras the tired old 737-300's and S-80's will be retired. The smallest aircraft for mailine fleets will be the 737-800 or A-320 which is up around 145 seats.

That's where we are at, that's where we are going and unfortunately nothing can stop that. Over the next few years there will be some labor heartburn over this, but ultimately the reality that is already here will be realized.