I am sure there is some truth to this.
Would the mainline groups be willing to overlook this and sacrifice their pride to the god of scope? They would essentially control all flying, a powerful negotiating position to be in...

 

Don't be surprised to see more 190's, 900's on mainline property.

Rumor mill! I really believe Blue will get rid of most if not all their 190's. They've been slowly shrinking their commitment to that bird.

 

That is definitely an option, but wouldn't it be more cost effective to let an "absorbed regional" maintain that lift on the cheap as opposed to flying 900's or 175/190 at mainline costs?
The fact that these guys would have seniority numbers would not change the lower cost of paying their current salaries..

 

There is a huge amount of truth in this statement. Regionals simply do not have the same hiring standards as majors. They never have and they never will. Anyone with a freshly printed pilot certificate and a pulse automatically qualifies. The lifers at the top of such a list, are lifers for a reason. They may hide behind whatever statement to make themselves feel better, but they're still lifers at a regional. Why should someone's career failure be rewarded with a seat at a major? The continued shrinkage and eventual implosion of the regional industry is a good thing that will hopefully return flying back to mainline where it belongs. A side benefit is the purging of those who really have no business being in an airline cockpit. It's a harsh reality, but not everyone deserves a spot at a major.

 

See, there you go. That's what I was referring to. I got mine, screw you. Quick, we're in, pull up the ladder.

It probably doesn't matter to you (because you'll just find another reason), but ASA has been using the Delta interview process since 2001. So did Comair (RIP). Compass has used it since inception, and Endeavor has used it for several years.

 

The path of least resistance will be for the legacy airlines to reduce out-sourced flying.
...Not absorb (or acquire) the regional carriers.
The remaining regionals will either go the way of Comair or become stand alone carriers.

 

Bollocks, a problem at the regional level is a problem at the mainline level. Have you seen the statistics on how many flights the regionals are flying in the US? The inability to fly these passengers around doesn't hurt mainline? The next decade is also poised for growth through an increase in baby boomers in their travel prime and predicted tourism growth.

When regionals have to start handing out 50k bonuses and paying 100k to train someone the regional discount edge quickly disappears. If you offer prospective applicants a path to a career job through a regional then you can get applicants in the door fast and without fronting the training costs. This is the future and it is right around the corner. Mainline is already taking over the hiring process at some regionals, why do you think they would be doing that?

 

I didn't say a thing about "pulling up the ladder". I said mainline standards shouldn't be lowered to regional level just to fill seats. Only the best pilots should be offered a chance. The unqualified riff raff should go stock shelves at Home Depot.

 

If regional airlines can't fulfill their contracts due to staffing issues they will eventually shrink as mainline 717's and 319's pick up the slack. Management and mainline pilot groups don't want to even entertain the headache that an integration would entail. And yes, mainline airlines are very selective about who they hire and don't want to give up that control.

It will never happen.

However, if you keep your nose clean and network, the majority of regional pilots will be employed by majors within the next 10 years -- they'll just have to accomplish this the traditional way (heaven forbid.) Except for the "page is shame'ers" who "Don't want to commute to NYC to sit reserve." (Yeah, that's what's holding you back.)

 

They would have the right to pass it up..... They could quit!