How important is regional feed to mainline?

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07-06-2013 | 06:11 AM

#11

727flteng

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 100

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From: Right side 76

Quote:

Originally Posted by trip

The problem is one week of light loads on the mainline 160 seater will wipe out the razor thin profit for the whole month, really is a double edged sword flying into smaller markets. I don't have the answer, maybe the cities will eventually have to pony up to a break even.

Not sure I believe this at all. My last 4 late flights into EWR all had a TOTAL of 7 pax. Granted I'm on a 50 seater not 160, but they still pay for the plane whether it's full or not. If they were worried about light loads, they would leave these planes at the outstations instead of bringing them back to the hub empty, or almost empty.

07-06-2013 | 06:34 AM

#12

pagey

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 1,809

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From: Left

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc23

maintain their 40% or greater profit margin

mmmm, where do you work.

07-06-2013 | 06:35 AM

#13

DL31082

Line Holder

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 425

Likes: 0

From: 320 CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 727flteng

The problem with the thinking here is a regional is paid by how many people are on the aircraft. They are paid per departure. If that aircraft departures on its scheduled flight mainline pays the regional the same amount wether its full or has 1 person on it.

When mainline does the flight more thinking goes into it.

01-04-2014 | 09:44 PM

#14

BahamaBreeze

Regional FO

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 28

Likes: 0

From: DH8D FO

Hey guys,

I just searched "feeder" to find some info on this, sorry to revive an old thread...

Are there any regionals which actually have agreements with the majors? That is, do the owned subsidiaries regularly feed to the majors?

This seems to be the logical way for it to work but here in Oz, mainline tends to recruit from ANYWHERE BUT their wholly owned regional subsidiaries... I guess because recruiting from their own regionals will cost them training twice (once to train you on their heavier metal, and once to replace you in the regional).

I only ask because I'm planning on returning to the US in a year or so and assuming I'll be heading into a regional airline, what would be the best option for future plans into a mainline, or is it just a crapshoot?

Cheers,
BB