It's pretty funny to hear Pilots speculate on business and use terms like non-compete, direct competition and scope clause. These are fantastic words to use but have nothing to do with how any business functions profitably.

Airlines two highest costs are fuel and labor.

BB is HELPING every major airline by reducing labor costs substantially. Maybe someone could repost the shiny jet syndrome post from a few years back to remind where he is getting the 'talent' to operate his soon to be 120 seat airplanes for a FRACTION (40%?) of the cost of the past.

If you really think non-compete or scope clauses have any weight (I learned the following lame term working in this industry and am ashamed to use it) keep drinking the kool-aid.

Unions are a joke and a thing of the past. There is no loyalty to a company from a worker in the current state just as there is no reciprocal loyalty from a company. Look at the current state of things and honestly come up with a reason how any current Union is beneficial. ??

Eight year Captains making seventy grand and sleeping in bunkbeds in a crashpad? Eleven days off per month?? Seriously people???? You would have to be a complete retard to work in most jobs for eight years and work under these conditions.

I met a FO the other day who was just recalled. At the age of 27 he didn't have any other experience other than this, furlough, serving coffee, loading UPS trucks and $100,000 debt from college. I hope I'm missing something here but don't see anything positive happening for a long time.

 

DING DING DING!!!!

We have a winner. This is exactly where this is headed and why the majors are not seemingly worried about RAH as a competitor. Using them as a codeshare rather than as a 'fee for departure' contractor allows them to go around scope clauses.

 

Don't forget about the whole "pilot shortage" mantra that has been around for the past 20 years!

It's all that many of us have to rely upon. It's a complete lie, propigated by flight schools and regional airlines, but still something that gives us hope.

There are over 10,000 furloughed FAR121 pilots on the streets right now. Trust me, there is no shortage. The only shortage will be the number of pilots who are willing to work for $20,000/year.

 

Dang skippy. I hear day in and day out how Delta (and others) have been "funding their competition vis a vis Republic". B.S. The legacies are funding their future thru codeshares, joint ventures, etc. and won't stop at anything when it comes to scope.

 

I think the airline pilot profession will always be driven to the bottom of the economy ladder because of the perceived glamour of the profession. Rich kids (or flying addicts) flock to this profession with the money or financial backing of their parents/spouses.

With a yearly addition of people willing to "fly for food" and CEOs trying to lower costs to profitability.

In my opinion, Unions are needed in this profession.