Sorry, not trying to offend anybody. If the traveling public was truly aware of what is, or what can be, in the cockpits at regionals they would probably chose to travel by alternate means as well. I'll take two mainline flights to avoid even a direct regional flight every single day of the week.

In fact, when I commute to work I could easilly take one of our regional affiliates and arrive right at my own terminal, instead I will fly on a mainline carrier and do the airport shuffle to my terminal. The few people on here who know me, will attest to the validity of the fact that I don't ride regionals unless absolutely mandatory to do so.... or unless I know the crew personally. When I get on those things and the FO hasn't even started shaving daily yet, I typically will turn around and get off.

Now, that is not meant as a low blow, it's simply a statement of fact.

 

I don't know who your regional affiliates are but to judge all "regionals" is unfair. Skywest never lowered their mins below 1000, Comair is a senior group (even the reserve FO's) and my company (ASA) also has a senior captain group. Even the few bad apples we have are often paired with a 10-20 year captain. These are just the airlines I'm familiar with.

I respect your viewpoint and desire to avoid regionals. I would just prefer you don't come on the regional boards and say that I'm unsafe because I fly for a regional airline. A little tact goes a long way.

 

What upsets me if using one of the finest pilot's I've flown with as the basis for an offensive and biased remark like that.

 

I wonder if the traveling public that got on an MD going to LIT, or a 757 in Columbia was aware of what was in the cockpit?

 

When did I say that? You're reading too much into what was said. I said the likelyhood of finding pilots who shouldn't be in the seat is highest at regionals. If that offends you, sorry.... but it doesn't change the truth; does it.

Face it guys (and Gals) they aren't raising the mins by Federal regulations because they feel like it, or to try and help you get a better paycheck. The evidence has been there for years and years that experince counts, and putting folks with 250/50 into jet airliners was/is a bad idea. They can't trust airline managements to not do it, so they will legislate it out of existence. How can you all root and cheer about them raising the bar for entry into the profession, and then be ignorant of the reasons for which they are doing it. Face it, the regional industry does not have as good a safety record as they should have... the mistakes in these incidents and accidents are typically all pilot skill/experience/decision making ability level related.

 

I have no problem with raising the mins. I just don't like it when somebody says they won't fly on my airline without knowing our standards simply because it says "operated by" on the side. That's all. I don't mind that you avoid regionals. It's your decision. Just don't come to a forum of REGIONAL PILOTS and expect us to welcome your agruments. Some of us take pride in our jobs and do it right everyday. We're not all pimple popping adolescents.

 

Completely agreed.... so long as you agree 7 of the last 8 accidents were regionals...

 

I'm not sure how he can agree with a statistic that's simply not true.

 

I don't see Colgan hurting for passengers on the EWR-BUF route after the crash and the media attention to the pilot's experience/pay/etc. The traveling public doesnt give two poops about anything except the price of the ticket, and free peanuts onboard.

 

I am out of flying and unless I start at 6 figures plus, it is just not going to happen. I agree that pilot's are their worst enemy, I tried to look for work, even below my expectation, but I will not work for below minimum wage. any other profession, a change of job does not result in starting over in salary. Lets take it a step further, not only does this not happen for other professions, it does not happen any where else in the world except within the boarders of the United States. You can clear well over 100k and if you want tax free outside this country, what I don't understand is when did the accountants dictate what happens in the airline industry. They have proven they can not run airlines.

Time to step off the soapbox, your turn.