Ummm...I don't think you know what happened at Independence Air. To use Independence Air and scabs in the same paragraph exposes this sad fact tenfold. They were well paid with fantastic working conditions. Scabs? That is undoubtedly one of the most rediculous things I've ever read.

*ridiculous(!) Don't you have a college degree?

(But I agree, what you quoted is totally asinine).

Times change. Pilot's in the US have been beaten down for so many years they don't even realize when circumstances have finally changed in their favor. If there was ever a moment in history to improve working conditions this is it. You know when airlines offering signing bonuses start saying there is no pilot shortage that the shortage is finally here. We've heard the supply and demand mantra for years and the tables have turned. I submit paying a First Officer $23/hr to fly a large RJ is no longer a sustainable business model. There are no more quicky "zero to hero" career paths to attract career changer types and even if their were the financing has all but dried up. The better paying regionals are quickly sucking up the remaining qualified talent and then they'll have to start poaching from the corporate and 135 world. That's when things will get really interesting but we're not quite there yet.

Find a company that you like where you're based and can live within the means of your paycheck until one of two things happen: you get past year 3-4 pay, or you get a golden ticket and on with a legacy carrier before you're 40.

If you go to the pilot factories: Embry Riddle, Florida Tech, ND, etc...get a degree in management. I went to the regionals 5 years ago - furlough 18 months later and since have had 3 jobs. I've been in my current training department job for 5 months and I'm making 7 year captain pay at a regional and my hard work has put me in the next 737 initial class here...

Aviation is what you make it...it's not the life from the 60's and 70's.

Please understand that I wasn't trying to be a jerk. I'm just saying I hear through the grapevine they keep filling classes. Oh, and I know a few guys personally who have gone there lately, too.

The only reason I can think of why people go to Republic is they get to fly the E175, hence the Q side struggling. Its certainly not for there contract. Now that SkyWest and Mesa will be getting them soon and Compass are hiring, I think we'll see Republic struggle to attract new applicants.

We'll soon find out I guess.