There will only be 125 left in the DL system by 2015.

Isn't that only if they take delivery of the full 70 900's?

See the chart I posted in the Pinnacle thread. It increases by a couple each 900 they don't take.

Force Majeure is not allowed to be used for cost of fuel among other things per the Delta pilot contract.

That's what happens when 3 separate regionals are owned by one company.

Yup but AMR Corporation has more! If you count American Eagle and American Airlines the total is higher than Expressjet and SKW! Who operates the largest number of 50 in the world?

Can regionals grow while majors shrink? Isn't that what's been happening for the past 10-15 years?

Yes.



Until fairly recently. Not that long ago any regional in existance was limited only by their ability to secure delivery positions from the factory. Now established regionals are downsizing, going through bankruptcy and closing their doors. Over all they are shrinking, and the ones "growing" are only taking some of the capacity off the hands of the ones shrinking or, of course, "growing" by merging with another regional. The sector itself is stagnant or shrinking, even if you include the latest AA/UCAL large jet allowances. After that if they are unable to secure true additional growth on a large scale, it will get ugly indeed at all but a few of the surviving regionals.

You might wanna google "Multi Crew Pilot License". It's already in m ICAO framework, just takes a major airline here to scream pilot shortage and Bam! Zero to hero. Or more like University flight training, 3 yrs turboprop with regional affiliate then right seat A320.

It's basically 121 shake and bake...

I think most of us are aware of the MCPL concept. But I don't think it is something that can just be implemented lickety split. We all know how fast our FAA & government move. And it's clear that aviation is not one of our countries top priorities.