That is good though, if they choose to downsize or take their ball and go home, at least you see management's goals and intent out in the open. The entire regional model (and some of mainline) is unsustainable and the only way it works is that pilots will work for less money than their worth. If they were paid a decent wage the cost would rise significantly to the regionals and mainline, ticket prices would be higher and flying would be more of a "privilege" that not everyone can afford. There would of course be less planes, less airlines and less pilots. The real question is whether people just keep swinging it out at bloated regionals that have far exceeded their original scope or whether they walk away. Maybe there is some kind of accounting and business magic they could pull off to "have your cake and eat it too", but it's going to take the latter to make that kind of change, otherwise there's no incentive. If they shut down or downsize earlier, at least you can get started that much sooner on a better career or career path, better than almost reaching retiremen tand having the company wipe it out or go away completely.

 

She has nothing to do with what you wrote! Why take it out on her? You said it yourself she was very nice and informative on the phone.

And no offense, but your message falls on deaf ears because there are pilots who still show up to work. So, the pay must be good enough to attract employment. Recently, pilots at regionals have voted in concessions at Pinnacle and PSA. They did it secure a fleet plan and to exist a couple years from now. This trend will continue. It a downward spiral. The only fix would be to speak with your feet and leave regionals in droves, but pilots will only leave when they have another job lined up. The regional model is wrong, underpaid, but they get the pilots they want because we all hope to one day fly for a LCC/Legacy where the wages are livable.

 

This statement is down-right haunting - I felt a twinge in my spine and a sinking feeling in my stomach when the words hit my eyes. I'm not kidding.

 

..........+1

 

yeah, maybe that was too sharp. I am sorry if I hurt some feelings there. please understand that I don't mean my pilot brethren any harm but I am so flummoxed by those who go to a company, knowing its broken, knowing the poor salary only to tell me (and this is a true story) "as long as I get the 175, I don't care."

that's just not right!

 

Naw, it needed to be said, and to be heard.

And this sentiment... "as long as I get the 175, I don't care." ...will last about as long as their first real bid period, I don't care where they go.

 

Interesting thread, a lot of insightful posts, but I was just wondering if the original email could just be a phishing scheme?

 

Anyone have a friend that works for a news channel or agency? Send this to them and get them to do a story on "why we face a pilot shortage" Making this known to the flying public would help us when the airlines cry about how new ATP regs have dried up their pool of applicants. This is a great example of a qualified pilot that can't afford to work for an airline. How many more like this are there??? How can they attract new pilots to an industry that can't keep the ones they already have.

 

I wonder what your ferry pilots would say about their compensation package they receive from you?

 

There are too many guys who will do anything to fly that jet so they can strut around the airports in their new starched uniforms wearing their Aviators in side the building. It's kind of like a little girl when she gets to be a ballerina for the first time. Or, you have the ones who will grand stand about not taking concessions and then votes to take them so he can claw his way over the guys who didn't to the left seat and a slightly larger paycheck. And I seriously doubt that there are enough (enough) pilots with the integrity to take the stand that could help us all out in the long run. I want to encourage the Eagle guys to take a stand, but then I'd hate to have to see one of the others jump at the 'crap' sandwich they denied. I was there when GoJet was used against TSA and then when PSA pulled this crap I was shocked. Now, I just expect it.