Then STOP working for $20 an hour HOPING to go to the big league someday.

Or KEEP working for $20 an hour and quit belly aching. There are plenty of other options besides regional flying.

You're not slave labor and are free to quit.

 

I agree that, with large RJs, pilots should get paid more. The only effective way to do that is if the majors take over their regional feed. Unfortunately, the economics will not allow this. If we got pay and benefits commensurate with the majors, it would be in their best interest to do it themselves as it would defeat the purpose of subcontracted labor. You need only look at American/AE to see that we are nowhere near getting the benefits we deserve (the bankruptcy court encouraged American to "diversify" their regional feed to remain competitive--or, in other words, seek out a lowest bidder contract)

The ONLY true way to do this would be at the mainline level. As subcontracted labor, we have no rights. We will always work in the grey area between black and red as we compete against each other to provide "lowest bidder" services. Legacy pilots complain all the time that we took their flying but their greed allowed the lawyers and penny-pinchers to allow RJs to proliferate outside of their contract protections. The mainline pilots needs to negotiate significant changes in their contract to reduce the amount of RJs flying. Until that happens, we can whine and complain until we are blue in the face. It won't change anything.

 

Don't forget signing on for a lifetime of student loan debt.

 

Hard left rudder - we're going on a tangent!!
What's that make the other businessmen, weary travelers, convention attendees, etc. all sitting at the bar with you? You could go wandering off into the night to save a couple bucks a beer at some local watering hole (if there's even one nearby). Or, you could pay a few extra bucks for the convenience of leaving your room without a coat, tossing back a few and hitting the sack so you can do it all over again the next day.

Or - don't. Slam-click and save your money. Personally, I've learned almost as much about flying over a beer as I have in a cockpit or classroom. If I wasn't in that hotel, I wouldn't be getting per diem. I'll spend it if I want - life's too short.

 

I agree that we have "made our beds" so to speak, but I would like to challenge you to find a flying career path that new pilots can seek out that provides better QOL/benefits, earnings potential, job security, and career accessibility as a Part 121 carrier.

**For those that would argue that a regional has terrible QOL, I would like to remind you of the perks and benefits outside of year 1. Remember that regional airlines are the least economically vulnerable aviation jobs out of the starter careers. The pay potential can be great assuming an eventual upgrade to captain. Days off for senior FOs can reach into the 15-17 days off mark and no one can argue about the ability to jumpseat anywhere in the world.

 

I think most pilots are smart individuals. I think as a group we are idiots. We all know that if all walked out tomorrow in protest that the consequences would be minor and the results would be quick and positive. Now good luck being the one to organize it or getting everyone on board. Not that it would take more than 15 or 20 % of the pilot group.

 

Well put.....

 

Yes look at PSA. They took pay cuts in order to fly shiny Jets.

 

Yeah that's a great idea! Stick it to the man and quit. No unemployment, no health care, no paycheck!!! Not to mention ultimately ending your career investment. I take it you don't think we should have a union either? With your philosophy what would be the point? Instead of negotiating better pay we would just stop coming to work? No one on here ever said they were being forced to work at the regional level, but all these other options you speak of are what exactly? Last I checked the Major's hire predominantly military and regional 121 pilots. Since the military is out of the question at my age that only leaves one option. But according to you we should all throw in the towel or shut up.

 

Adlerdriver I agree with you 100%. I think I was speaking from the eyes of the first year regional FO.