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Another article, this one on the pending Eagle MEC vote. The money quote: "regional jet industry is characterized by low salaries that fail to incentivize pilots, resulting in a perceived pilot shortage" The more that's written about the "pilot shortage" hopefully the more the public becomes educated about what's really going on in the regionals. American Eagle Pilot Leaders Will Decide Wednesday on Contract Vote - TheStreet

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoilerUP (Post 1579567)

People will accept the inflated costs and longer path to an ATP if the compensation once one gets qualified makes it worthwhile.

Right now, its not even close for new pilots.

When Delta struggles to fill classes, there will truly be a scarcity of pilots. When a regional struggles to fill classes, it simply shows a shortage of pilots willing to accept that level of compensation. Raise the compensation and the shortage goes away - Econ 101 market equilibrium curves.

My crystal ball says fewer, larger airplanes with reduced frequency to most markets...

Once they get qualified? So, you have your 1500 and an ATP. Your now "qualified" to make $22,000 per year and hope that there is no stagnation, war or down turn. How many years to pay off the student/Pilot debt load at regional wages? Interest rates will be raising and the thought of paying off the debt at the chance of making it to a Major is way to risky for my money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianb (Post 1579676)

Glossed right over the "Right now, its not even close for new pilots" part, did ya?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarge (Post 1579552)

The ignorant public is dollar driven.. while there might be some patriotic rage, the public will soon acclimate to Chinese pilots flying them around in SWA paint...

What?

Airline Pilots buy Made in China just as much as anyone else....

I attempt to vote with my wallet by not patronizing "cheap crap" stores and research the food I buy because I realize the adage 'you get what you pay for' is usually true. Before I got travel benefits, I bought plane tickets based on my perceived total value, not simply who had the cheapest tickets. Hopefully we can change the general cheap skate paradigm through education, and articles like these probably *do* help.

P.S. The article says RAH is losing 22 Million a year in lost revenue on those 27 parked aircraft. (I read that correctly, right?). I wonder if those losses are worth not fixing compensation and or career progression?

Airline Pilots Get Paid Crap

I think this might be the best article i've read so far. This guy gets it and it's pretty funny/sarcastic too. From the article, seriously:

Republic Airways announced this week that it's grounding 27 of its planes due to a "shortage of qualified pilots." Possibly related: many airline pilots get paid jack s*it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoilerUP (Post 1579680)

Glossed right over the "Right now, its not even close for new pilots" part, did ya?

No gloss over me-com-pad-re, just venting at the continuous B.S. that permeates this F'ing industry. Balls to the wall.

I worked for a 121 (now defunct) operator that made the statement "We would rather give our lawyers $1 million a year rather than giving the pilots a raise of $1 million".
Typical management, nose meet face.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaaks (Post 1579763)

If you can, get a hold of the first page of the second section of today's WSJ. Mostly stuff we all knew, but it's another log in the fire for regional lift and the model we all know and "love". (sarcasm).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thedude (Post 1579778)

The only thing that's changed is our underwear, hopefully.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmncnpilot (Post 1579484)

You can't go by what some ignorant people post on these articles. Not everybody is going to empathize with our cause. I guarantee that if those same ignorant posters lose air service to their communities their posts would read differently. You have to give them credit though, some of those posts are funny but very true. We are glorified bus drivers, let's face it! The problem that I have is that a regular city bus driver or a greyhound bus driver has better pay, benefits and most likely better retirement than a regional airline pilot. Who's fault is that? Yours, mine, and every regional airline pilot that has accepted the low pay. That's just the reality of things. Something has to give! I hope this rule stands it's ground and regionals have a harder time getting pilots. It doesn't really matter what the general public thinks anyway, it's all about money. If it hurts the airlines pocket we'll start seeing change.

In no way do I consider myself or hold my self to the standards of a glorified bus driver. I have dedicated a substantial amount of time to my aviation and college education along with countless hours perfecting my abilities as a professional pilot. Do I agree with the regional pilot pay scale, absolutely not but I also don't know many bus drivers that have the opportunity to make 70+K a year if he progresses his / her career.

I understand things have been stagnant for awhile and I want nothing more then to see myself and fellow pilots advance our long stagnated careers. However, I can't emphasize enough that we must maintain our high level of professionalism, education and safety while the industry starts to shift and opportunities open up. As these opportunities open so will the compensation and benefits packages we deserve as professionals.

If you want to be treated and looked upon as an educated professional then you must demand this perception and treatment through your actions and professionalism.

If you want to be a bus driver then go drive a bus... :D