I’m pretty sure 175 staffing is already mostly in place for those new airplane deliveries. Using those new 175 deliveries is pretty weak leverage for pay talks. We need bodies in class for the CRJ.

Everyone affiliated.

Obviously over the next decade these companies can change their business models but for now they depend on each other.

Without regionals, ULCC/LCC/SWA would have many many airplanes on order. Even before LCCs fully turn their eyes trans-ocean, Legacies are seeing their best profit growth in the domestic market...using cheap labor.

Record profits will continue as long as the business model of cheap contracted labor continues. The common point in the last few pages is - “why would this continue?”
Won’t the worker bees move on to “major partners” competitor?

Momentum,or perhaps it's reciprocal, inertia. While the writing has been on the wall for the academics for years, just because of the demographics, a lot of those people who benefitted from this model in the past were and still are in denial about the future. Many - both worker bees and the hive aristocracy - will continue to keep their heads in the sand (a different saying actually comes to mind) as long as possible. It's only human nature.

UA and DL.


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Spirit year 2-3 equals 20 year regional. I think the writing is on the wall for the regional model unless some big changes are made, and I’m not talking a token interview with big.

I don't think so. Cheap labor is nice, and does enable some percentage of economically marginal regional routes.

But if it push came to shove, the majors would just buy RJ's and have their own pilots fly them. Wages would be higher, profits lower, and some destinations would be dropped (unless they can have Lakes do it via EAS... oh wait a minute :eek: )

One of the things the majors used to like about regionals was the farm league aspect... they could hire folks after they developed a track record in 121. But with flows, ab initio, and all the hiring shenanigans I don't think that matters any more.

They could at least keep RJ FO fairly low, since that would would be noobs anyway.

Pretty sure fuel, not labor, is the highest cost for airlines these days (pre 9/11 it was labor).

They’ve always had a problem with this because military (read F16 types) might have to start there.

True in the past. But if things get bad enough, they might have to. Most of the mil pilots would take the long view, although a few would head off to non-airline jobs.

Or airlines might just write it off as the cost of doing business... six-figure RJ FO pay would incentivize a lot of kids to get off Mom's sofa and head down to the FBO.

Off topic, but I just bought some new shirts and if anyone is looking at buying some also and wants 10% off A Cut Above feel free to give this link a go http://fbuy.me/io9VF

The life after FB page has an almost every other day post about Captains and First Officers leaving for Spirit. I already know two of my former FO’s over there now, the multi million dollar question is Airbus or RJ PIC more valuable if you still want to leave? I told them list the pros and cons to each and then you decide what’s more beneficial to you.