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Old 05-03-2014, 06:47 PM
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Default Majors To Absorb Regionals In The Future?

Will mainline carriers eventually absorb regionals to protect their feed?
If so, who will be the first and how long before this kind of move might happen?
Is it possible this would extend passed wholly owned companies to contract carriers as well?

Last edited by rickair7777; 05-05-2014 at 06:42 AM. Reason: Title Clarity
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Old 05-03-2014, 06:55 PM
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Majors enjoy their ultra cheap outsourced flying too much. You might see some of them do a little bit of what Delta is doing with the 717s and fly large RJs themselves as regionals have more trouble staffing and can't accept any more contracts.
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Old 05-03-2014, 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by rcfd13 View Post
Majors enjoy their ultra cheap outsourced flying too much. You might see some of them do a little bit of what Delta is doing with the 717s and fly large RJs themselves as regionals have more trouble staffing and can't accept any more contracts.
Why can't they both keep their cheap outsourced flying and give everyone seniority numbers. They would have plenty of applicants at the door that would gladly fly RJ's at low rates keeping the feed staffed and all these guys can bid to fly the larger aircrafts when their seniority can hold it...
How else would mainlines hold any pilots at these express units with the amount of movement that could be around the corner?
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Old 05-03-2014, 07:26 PM
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I would rather compete for my job at a major than have everyone flow. I'm not kidding.
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Old 05-03-2014, 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by meah View Post
I would rather compete for my job at a major than have everyone flow. I'm not kidding.
I agree somewhat, but for the sake of the discussion - let's set pilot goals to the side here for a second and think if this direction is in the interest of the majors
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Old 05-03-2014, 07:35 PM
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What I believe will happen:

Some mainline carrier will find their most profitable contract carrier, buy them out, and staple everyone to the bottom of the seniority list. No more scope to worry about limiting seat capacity, and they would be able to take advantage of the cheaper regional flying at cost. It's basically a flow without the shenanigans and technical red tape.

I can see many people at X carrier accepting a status quo contract renewal if they had a mainline seniority number, and were just waiting to move into a 737/a320 or what have you at normal mainline pay rates. Pilots would come out of the woodwork for an opportunity like that, and every class would be full. The first mainline carrier to do such a thing would not only have the pick of the litter, but would set the tone for the way the industry will look for the foreseeable future.
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Old 05-03-2014, 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by meah View Post
I would rather compete for my job at a major than have everyone flow. I'm not kidding.
Eh not quite. Much of this regional flying should have never left the majors. Any situation that returns flying to the majors while increasing pilot pay is good.
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Old 05-03-2014, 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Navmode View Post
What I believe will happen:

Some mainline carrier will find their most profitable contract carrier, buy them out, and staple everyone to the bottom of the seniority list. No more scope to worry about limiting seat capacity, and they would be able to take advantage of the cheaper regional flying at cost. It's basically a flow without the shenanigans and technical red tape.

I can see many people at X carrier accepting a status quo contract renewal if they had a mainline seniority number, and were just waiting to move into a 737/a320 or what have you at normal mainline pay rates. Pilots would come out of the woodwork for an opportunity like that, and every class would be full. The first mainline carrier to do such a thing would not only have the pick of the litter, but would set the tone for the way the industry will look for the foreseeable future.

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Old 05-03-2014, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by DOGIII View Post
Why can't they both keep their cheap outsourced flying and give everyone seniority numbers. They would have plenty of applicants at the door that would gladly fly RJ's at low rates keeping the feed staffed and all these guys can bid to fly the larger aircrafts when their seniority can hold it...
How else would mainlines hold any pilots at these express units with the amount of movement that could be around the corner?
They've done this in the past. Eagle pilots used to have direct flow to AA. Compass had direct flow to Delta. Majors have moved away from that model for one reason or another. They don't like it.

Personally I don't like the idea of flow throughs. If every regional had flow agreements the people at the bottom would get stuck waiting decades to flow when the industry slows down. Look how long some of the people at Eagle have been waiting to get to AA. Not having flow through is one way junior pilots who are motivated and on top of their game can jump a bit in seniority without waiting for everyone ahead of them to retire.
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Old 05-03-2014, 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by rcfd13 View Post
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Originally Posted by DOGIII


Why can't they both keep their cheap outsourced flying and give everyone seniority numbers. They would have plenty of applicants at the door that would gladly fly RJ's at low rates keeping the feed staffed and all these guys can bid to fly the larger aircrafts when their seniority can hold it...
How else would mainlines hold any pilots at these express units with the amount of movement that could be around the corner?




They've done this in the past. Eagle pilots used to have direct flow to AA. Compass had direct flow to Delta. Majors have moved away from that model for one reason or another. They don't like it.

Personally I don't like the idea of flow throughs. If every regional had flow agreements the people at the bottom would get stuck waiting decades to flow when the industry slows down. Look how long some of the people at Eagle have been waiting to get to AA. Not having flow through is one way junior pilots who are motivated and on top of their game can jump a bit in seniority without waiting for everyone ahead of them to retire.
I am not talking about flows, I am talking about absorbing a company entirely. Seniority numbers handed out.
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