In all honsety I have never had a passenger complain about the Q after flying in it. Its a great plane from a passenger standpoint.

The regionals should be a stepping stone but with over half the pilots in regional land, that ship has sailed. For many, it has to be a carreer.

True, but i have heard several passengers say they prefer the Q400 to the ERJ 135's and CRJ 200's. they 7 and 9 and 170's are preferred though.

Why? Aren't there a lot more regional planes/passengers? How is that even possible given this?

Passengers are idiots.

not everyone gives half a rats ass about airplanes! Its just a mode of transportation for most.

I am sure many other jobs people feel the same way, and you walk in saying who cares about this, give me the cheapest/fast way.

FTFY :D

Ten Characters

even though this thread is depressing...it has some validity for those searching to begin their airline careers at place that wont go bankrupt in 2 years.

My pick:

Great Lakes

Expect a shakeout among the 9 US Airways Express carriers and Eagle once AA and U merge. I think Eagle (well, part of it) will still be a player and perhaps several of the U feeders will consolidate, but unfortunately, I don't think there will be a seat for everyone when the music stops. 6000 pilots currently involved in this scenario and I'd expect about 4000-4500 to make the cut.

The question is who ?

Got large RJ's ?

Your odds go up.

Senior at your carrier ?

Your odds go up.

Survivors should expect marginal compensation akin to what will be imposed at Eagle though, but it will take time and so most will remain employed for awhile and who knows, perhaps attrition will mitigate the damage, but I don't see the lagacies doing much hiring in the future, especially AA/U as we'll probably have a shortage of seats for all as well and have our own furlough issues.

Expressjet seems to be a good option. They have continuosly braved poor weather in the marketplace. And are hiring like gangbusters. Also expect many to leave the ranks in the coming years.

Your first statement should be etched into the cockpit of every RJ out there. As for your second, why? I mean are the majors NEVER going to hire again?

(Below not directed at you personally seahawker)
I know what kind of hiring market this has been in the past 10 years but it still boggles my mind how some see more career potential in the outsourced, lowest paid, interchangeable level of the profession versus working for the source company with much bigger airplanes. Yet I know several RJ captains who see their present salary and quality of life at regional X as adequate and refuse to even apply anywhere else. Their aspiration is now getting a "bigger" RJ or getting JetBlue's contract! Don't get me wrong, if that is what you want fine, but when your outfit losses its contract and don't come crying. You are replaceable.