Airline Pilot Central Forums - Which Regionals are not going to last

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- - Which Regionals are not going to last (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/regional/66571-regionals-not-going-last.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vertisch (Post 1166171)

I believe the era of the Regional business model has come to an end. It made sense when fuel was cheap, pilots were constantly cycling through keeping costs low and you could send a Dash or CRJ to a small city five times a day becuase the plane cost about $20 a seat. Since fuel is through the roof and especially since 9/11, more people are looking to make a career out of the regionals and thus think the pay should be equivalent the the legacy carriers. Thats not how a Regional works. The model is based on an endless flow of cheap labor and cheap fuel. I think it is time for the Majors to bring the flying back in house, get rid of anything below 76 seats and probably reduce flights to the smaller markets.

I knew what I was getting myself into when I joined a Regional. I knew the pay and the work rules suck, but it was never meant to be my endgame. So, I just bide my time and hope the hiring floodgates open soon. Just my .02.

Right on man!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes (Post 1168108)

It sounds like you're talking about how things are, not a good reason for it. That right there is the issue. How many slots are there compared to regional slots? You truly still think the "major airline" job (and any chance of captain?) is the realistic end-goal? Yes, regional jobs used to be a stepping stone, but methinks you're in denial about how things have changed...

in all fairness, that's how things are right now too. at the end of the day not one of us has a crystal ball. It's an industry that historically moves in large waves. The facts are pilots are now very aware of scope release and I just don't see anyone giving another seat ever again. Make them go through bankruptcy to get because heads usually roll for that. At some point the courts are going to see what's going on here, just taking longer than we'd like.

the one thing this job does is change.

Because you are nothing more than CONTRACT FEED for a mainline partner that can give you the middle finger at any point in time. Your life cycle depends on Air Service Agreements that you can only HOPE don't get destroyed in bankruptcy, thrown out due to performance issues, or just flat out re-bid via RFP for someone who can do it cheaper.

You want a lifetime full of that? Have fun!

I'd venture to say probably 20-50% of regionals today will not exist in the next 10 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShyGuy (Post 1168172)

You can state the exact numbers for legacy carriers as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozobigtop (Post 1168719)

You can state the exact numbers for legacy carriers as well.

The difference is that the legacy carriers that are no longer existing (NWA, Continental, etc) are being merged into another legacy carrier. Whereas regional airlines in the future will just go poof! and disappear altogether.